[Insight-users] opened post-doc position in Belgium

[David Wikler]

We have an opening for a post-doc researcher in=20

MEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING FOR NEUROSURGERY=20

WHEN:=20

Starting 1 January 2004, for 2 years.=20
With excellent potential for continuation.=20

WHERE:=20

The University of Li=E8ge, Belgium.=20
(A brief description of the city of Li=E8ge is given below)=20

PROJECT'S FRAMEWORK:=20

Project is sponsored by the FNRS, which is the belgian equivalent=20
of NSF in the US.=20
The centerpiece is a a low-field (0.12 T) interventional MRI recently=20
acquired by the world-reknown departement of neurosurgery led by=20
Prof. Brotchi at Erasme Hospital, Free University of Brussels (ULB).=20
Bulk of research will be carried out in EECS department of the=20
University of Li=E8ge (Ulg). Close scientific and technical collaboration=
=20
with ULB will require frequent visits to Brussels.=20

In the EECS department in Li=E8ge, the selected candidate=20
will contribute to the growth of a new dynamic group=20
in image processing and computer vision. The group is=20
led by faculty members with international experience at Ecoles des Mines,=
=20
Inria, Stanford, MIT, and UMass Amherst.=20
Several major projects are getting under way,=20
so candidate will be part of a select group of new recruits.=20

Useful links:=20
http://www . ulb . ac . be/erasme/fr/services/medicaux/neurochir/index . htm=20
http://www . ulg . ac . be=20
http://www . montefiore . ulg . ac . be=20

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:=20

Interventional MRI is useful for tracking progress of surgery.=20
Low-field (LF) interventional MRI is affordable. It thus has potential=20
for widespread use in neurosurgery. Limitations are its small field=20
of view and low resolution. The goal of the project is to augment=20
LF 3D intra-op imagery with 3D pre-op imagery (MRI, PET, SPECT, etc)=20
having, of course, full field of view and higher resolution.=20

The selected candidate will be tasked with defining and implementing=20
best approach for augmentation. This approach may consist in=20
deforming pre-op imagery to match current intra-op imagery and=20
carefully blending deformed pre-op modalities with LF intra-op=20
imagery. Solution will most probably involve some of the following=20
techniques:=20
segmentation of cortex surface (active contours, level sets, SPM),=20
rigid and nonrigid registration,=20
possibly 2D/3D meshing and finite-element techniques,=20
image deformation, image blending, image fusion, 3D visualization.=20
Implementation will be in C++ under ITK/VTK.=20

One goal is to build a proof-of-concept demonstrator that=20
will be tested and evaluated as realistically as possible=20
in a surgical theater environment.=20

Another goal is to publish and participate actively in=20
international conferences.=20

PROFILE:=20

- PhD in electrical engineering, computer science or physics=20
- Strong interest in medical imaging=20
- Expertise sought (by rough order of preference) in: medical image process=
ing,=20
image processing and/or computer vision, handling of spatial=20
or visual data, brain mapping, DT-MRI fiber tractography, physics of MRI,=
=20
3D visualization.=20
- Excellent publication record=20
- Strong programming skills and hands-on experience with real data=20
- C++ and/or Java at a minimum; Unix and Windows=20
- Knowledge of ITK and/or VTK is a plus!=20
- Working knowledge of English. (Knowledge of French NOT required.)=20
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills=20
- Self-starter and ability to work alone and as part of a team.=20

BENEFITS=20

Salary is determined based upon current regulations and is based=20
upon your degree, experience, whether you are married and have children, et=
c.=20
Approximate after-tax, take home salary is 1,700 to 2,000 euros per month.=
=20
Your contribution to a health insurance plan will be a minor fraction=20
of this, amounting to a few tens of euros per month.=20
Keep in mind that the cost of living here=20
is much lower than, say, in Boston or the San Francisco Bay Area!=20

HOW TO APPLY:=20

Candidatures will be considered until the position is filled.=20
Prior to applying, candidates should check whether this position=20
has been filled by consulting the page of J. Verly accessible via=20
www.montefiore.ulg.ac.be. (This page will soon be revamped!)=20

To apply for this position, please assemble ALL the information=20
required below and send it in as a single package by email=20
or by regular mail. (See address info.)=20

- Letter of motivation indicating why this job is for you=20
and how this position fits in your career plan.=20
Please indicate when you would be able to start work here.=20
- Resume or CV=20
- Personnal web page, if any=20
- A recent photo will be appreciated, but is not required=20
(The University of Li=E8ge is an equal-opportunity employer)=20
- List of publications=20
- Copies of your 2 best publications relevant to project=20
(if not easily downloadable by us from a website,=20
please send us copies by email, in separate messages if necessary)=20
- Your research statement, if any=20
- Phone number(s) and best time(s) to call if we need to speak to you=20
- IMPORTANT: the name and contact information of 2 or 3 references,=20
which we will be able to contact immediately. Please, let them=20
know we are likely to call.=20

Once again, please provide ALL this information in a single package,=20
except perhaps for the publications.=20

In all correspondance, specify "Application for FNRS position" in=20
"Subject" field. (Application can be in English or French or=20
a combination thereof.)=20

If the selected candidate is not from the European Union, we will=20
initiate the procedure for applying for a working permit.=20
Getting the permit may take 2 months.=20

MAILING INFO:=20

Prof. Jacques G. Verly=20
Head of Signal Processing Group=20
Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science=20
University of Li=E8ge=20
Sart-Tilman, Bldg. B28=20
B-4000 Li=E8ge=20
BELGIUM=20
Jacques . Verly at ulg . ac . be=20

CITY OF LIEGE:=20

Li=E8ge is the largest city in the French-speaking=20
part of Belgium.=20
It is strategically located. It is served by the=20
TGV european high-speed train network:=20
it is only 1 hour from Brussels (Capital of Europe),=20
2h15 from Paris and 3h from London.=20
The Netherlands is 15 mins away and Germany 30.=20
Li=E8ge is 40 mins from the heart of the Belgian Ardennen,=20
with its lakes and forests, and 2h from the belgian coast,=20
with its bird reserve and fancy shops.=20

Li=E8ge is a University town.=20
The sprawling main campus is located in the hilly, wooded,=20
quiet suburb of Sart Tilman "high" above the city.=20
Downtown is a mere 10 min away.=20
The EECS building is a wonderful building, with=20
nicely landscaped surroundings.=20
It is within walking distance from the 18-hole Royal Golf Course.=20

Li=E8ge is human-sized. You can walk everywhere downtown,=20
including along the banks of the meandering Meuse river=20
with its active barge traffic.=20

The city has a rich history, lots of historical buildings and museums.=20
It has a concert hall and an opera. Students are the major=20
contributors to its famous nightlife in Le Carre.=20