Project summary
- Program
- PhD
- Location
- St Lucia
- Research area
- Biomedical and clinical sciences, Engineering
Project description
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a powerful and versatile biomedical imaging modality that is used both clinically and in research to investigate neurological structure, function and disease. Ultra-high field imaging (7 T and greater) represents the state-of-the-art in clinical and research MR, providing significantly higher signal-to-noise ratios that enable faster acquisitions and higher resolution imaging compared to traditional clinical MRI. However, methods development at UHF faces a number of technical challenges, including magnetic and radiofrequency field inhomogeneities, increased susceptibility artifacts, and stricter power deposition constraints, all of which require innovative approaches to pulse sequence design and image reconstruction.
This project is part of an industry collaboration with partners Siemens Healthineers and Skope Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologies. The broad aim of the collaboration is to develop, test and validate MR imaging sequences and methods for fast, high-resolution brain imaging at UHF, with particular focus on susceptibility-based imaging, relaxation-based imaging and diffusion imaging. The candidate will have the opportunity to tailor a project within this broad theme to their interests and build or refine their skills in MRI pulse sequence development, data/image correction (e.g. field inhomogeneity, phase correction) and image reconstruction.
Research environment
You will be based in the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) and work closely with researchers from UQ and Siemens Healthineers using the 3 T and 7 T human MRI scanners, as well as the Skope Magnetic Resonance Field Camera at UQ’s Centre for Advanced Imaging.
Scholarship
This is an Fellowship support scheme scholarship project that aligns with a recently awarded Australian Government grant.
The scholarship includes:
- living stipend of $36,400 per annum tax free (2025 rate), indexed annually
- your tuition fees covered
- single overseas student health cover (OSHC).
Learn more about the Fellowship support scheme scholarship.
Supervisor
Principal supervisor
Preferred educational background
Your application will be assessed on a competitive basis.
We take into account your:
- previous academic record
- publication record
- honours and awards
- employment history
A working knowledge of programming (C++, Python, MATLAB), and biomedical imaging would be of benefit to someone working on this project.
You will demonstrate academic achievement in the field/s of biomedical engineering and/or physics and the potential for scholastic success.
A background or knowledge of magnetic resonance and image processing is highly desirable.
How to apply
This project requires candidates to commence no later than Research Quarter 1, 2026. To allow time for your application to be processed, we recommend applying no later than 30 September, 2025 30 June, 2025.
You can start in an earlier research quarter. See application dates.
Before you apply
- Check your eligibility for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
- Prepare your documentation.
- Contact Dr Monique Tourell (m.tourell@uq.edu.au) to discuss your interest and suitability.
When you apply
You apply for this scholarship when you submit an application for a PhD. You don’t need to submit a separate scholarship application.
In your application ensure that under the ‘Scholarships and collaborative study’ section you select:
- My higher degree is not collaborative
- I am applying for, or have been awarded a scholarship or sponsorship
- UQ Earmarked Scholarship type.