Starte jetzt als PhD Student for Ultrafast Imaging of the Vocal Fold Oscillations (m/f/d) bei Universitätsklinikum Freiburg in Freiburg

Universitätsklinikum Freiburg

Freiburg

The Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology - Medical Physics, University Medical Center Freiburg is looking for a

PhD Student for Ultrafast Imaging of the Vocal Fold Oscillations (m/f/d)

During speaking and singing, the human vocal folds (VFs) perform one of the fastest motions in the human body with v 4 m/s at frequencies between f = 150 - 1600 Hz. In clinical routine and in voice research this motion is currently imaged with laryngeal stroboscopy, where a camera is inserted in the pharynx through the mouth or nose. Apart from the discomfort associated with this invasive procedure, it is inherently limited to a superficial view of the vocal folds which only allows the visualization of lateral motion, but hides vertical motion between camera and VFs.

In our research group we have pioneered a new 2D-imaging technique to visualize the VF motion using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). For the first time, we were able to image physiological motion with a temporal reso-lution below 1 ms (see figure). MRI offers a free choice of the image plane and thus allows us to simultaneously image the vertical and lateral motion.

In this project we want to advance our MRI technique and prepare it for an imaging study with professional singers [1, 2]. This includes the extension to the third dimension to acquire 3D datasets, improve temporal resolution using optimized magnetic field switching, and improve data acquisition for example by AI-based image reconstruction, and flexibility by using a state-of-the-art noise-cancelling optical microphone. The project will be carried out in close collaboration with the Institute for musician’s medicine (FIM).

In the thesis you will work on optimizing the imaging procedure via:

optimized gradient switching
3-dimensional motion encoding
new synchronization hardware
post-processing algorithms

The successful candidate should have an interest (and, preferably, some experience) in:

medical physics and electromagnetics
programming (C++, Matlab)
physiology of voice production

We provide a multi-disciplinary team (Medical Physics, Radiology, Musician’s Medicine) with strong experience in interventional MRI, access to cutting-edge MRI systems, and sequence programming environments.

Please submit your application and relevant documents by the "Apply now"-Button or email.

Dr. Johannes Fischer
Postdoctoral Researcher
johannes.fischer@uniklinik-freiburg.de

Prof. Dr. Michael Bock
Professor for Experimental Radiology
michael.bock@uniklinik-freiburg.de

General information: Salary is assigned according to a pay scale. Unless prevented by operational or legal reasons, full-time positions are generally open to those wishing to job share. Where two candidates are equally suitable for a post, severely disabled candidates are given priority. Employment decisions are made by the Personnel Department.