Hyperpolarized Magnetic Resonance is a revolutionary and promising technique
with a proven potential in biomedicine and biochemistry. Based on Dynamic
Nuclear Polarization (DNP), a low-temperature technique used to increase the
nuclear spin order for particle physics experiments in which the Paul Scherrer
Institute is one of the world’s leading institutions, hyperpolarization leads
to an improvement in signal-to-noise ratio on the order of 10’000 times. It
allows for the detection of tiny amounts of biological substances in vivo and
to follow the metabolic pathways of chosen molecules.
Two unique hyperpolarizers have been developed within the Swiss DNP Initiative
regrouping several departments of the EPFL and the Paul Scherrer Institute. The
Center for Biomedical Imaging (CIBM, http://www.cibm.ch) provides access to two
high-field animal MRI systems, one working at 9.4T and the other at 14.1T. One
of the hyperpolarizers is currently coupled to the 9.4T scanner. For further
information on our Initiative, see http://sdnpi.epfl.ch.
The aim of the proposed project is to improve and further develop the Dynamic
Nuclear Polarization technology for applications in biomedical imaging. The
project will involve experimental work with world-class magnetic resonance
instrumentation.
We are seeking for a candidate with a background in Physics or Chemistry who is
interested in biological and biomedical applications. The candidate will have
the opportunity to interact with researchers involved in Particle Physics,
Chemistry, Biology and Biomedicine. The biomedical part of the project will be
performed at the CIBM while several fundamental DNP developments will take
place at the Paul Scherrer Institute.
If you are interested in this position, please send your resume and a cover
letter to arnaud.comment@epfl.ch.
