Postdoc fellowship - NMR pulse sequences

A two-year postdoctoral position is available in the Integrative Structural Biology laboratory (UMR 9031) at the CNRS / University of Lille, France, in collaboration with the Lille Neuroscience and Cognition laboratory (Inserm U 1172). 

Postdoc topic no. 1: Development of spatially selective NMR pulse sequences to facilitate the analysis of metabolites in-organs such as the human brain (Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, MRS)

Objective: The objective of the project is the development of spatially selective NMR pulse sequences to facilitate the analysis of metabolites in-organs such as the human brain (Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, MRS). The project will first focus on developing new pulse sequences and processing methods at high-field liquid NMR spectrometers (up to 1.2 GHz) to analyse small molecule mixtures and subsequently port them to MRI instruments for MRS measurements. Any candidate with experience in pulse sequence methodology in liquid NMR and/or MRS can apply.

Project description: Quantification of metabolites at particular locations in the brain is of great value towards modelling of metabolic diseases. For instance, changes in metabolite concentrations from the glutamatergic system are known to be implicated in neurodegenerative diseases. Metabolite concentrations can be monitored using Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS), which applies spatially selective methods to directly record ¹H NMR spectra in organs of living humans or animals. As with liquid NMR, a critical problem in ¹H MRS is spectral overlap, as metabolically related molecules (such as GABA and GHS) display close chemical shifts, exacerbated by the presence of other metabolites and proteins. Increased magnetic fields significantly improve spectral resolution, but even at 7 T MRI instruments, ¹H MRS spectra are often too congested for accurate and precise quantification. 2D methods such as 2D J-resolved spectra or other spectral editing methods improve metabolite resolution, but come at the cost of longer experimental times or lower sensitivity, which is a disadvantage for MRS as it increases artifacts from patient movements.

The currently advertised position will design new experiments that improve the spectral resolution and quantification in ¹H MRS inspired by recent developments in small molecule liquid NMR methodology. We will first explore new high-resolution and fast liquid NMR methods (pulse sequences, data processing, deep learning) for small molecule mixture analysis, which will be tested at high-field (up to 1.2 GHz) and lower field NMR instruments. Subsequently, we will modify these experiments to become spatially selective, to eventually transfer and apply them to MRI machines (up to 7 T for small animal research and for human clinical research). The project will thus be at the intersection of pulse sequence development in two different fields of magnetic resonance.

Host laboratory and equipment: This project is funded by the University of Lille’s Excellence Initiative as part of the interdisciplinary IMMENSE  project (Innovation in health and Materials researches through interdisciplinary Magnetic resonance: from Electrons to Nuclei, from Spectroscopy to imaging Experiments) that is a collaboration between various Magnetic Resonance laboratories in Lille (bioliquid and solid-state materials NMR, clinical MRI, and EPR).
Our research groups have access to state-of-the-art liquid NMR instrumentation, including a 1.2 GHz spectrometer (Avance NEO, cryoprobe), a 900 MHz (Avance NEO, cryoprobe), an 800 MHz (Avance NEO), and a 600 MHz (Avance III HD, cryoprobe). In terms of imaging, we have access to 7 T preclinical MRI scanner (Bruker) along with 3 T and 7 T whole-body MRI scanner (Siemens).

Relevant skills and qualifications:

• Candidates should have a PhD in chemistry, physics, or in related fields validated before the start of contract. 
• The candidate should have an expressed interest in pulse sequence development.
• Any of the following skills in magnetic resonance are of interest, preferably multiple. This should be demonstratable from your previous work and clearly indicated in your motivation letter.
  • A good understanding of NMR theory (product operators, pulse sequences, coherence order selection, spin-lock, shaped pulses, etc.) to a level where you have insight into advanced NMR pulse sequences (i.e., beyond basic 1D and 2D NMR experiments).
  • Experience in modifying NMR pulse sequence codes.
  • Experience in deep learning approaches
  • Experience in the application of liquid NMR experiments in chemistry.
  • Experience in the application of spatially-encoded NMR (MRS).
  • Experience in simulation of magnetic resonance spectra.
  • Experience in non-standard (non-Fourier) spectral data processing.
  • Experience in scientific programming (such as Matlab, Python, Mathematica).
• Fluency in English, both spoken and written proficiency.
• A track record of research dissemination, paper writing and conference presentations.
• Ability to both take own initiatives and work as part of a team.

The daily activities of the early-stage researcher will consist mainly in research, but it is also expected that the candidate participates in internal seminars, courses, local and international scientific events. Collaboration and interaction with other researchers within the team and the within the Cross-Disciplinary Project consortium is desirable.

Contact: To apply, please send a motivation letter and CV to Davy Sinnaeve. Please provide contact details of one or more established researchers who may be contacted for a letter of support. If you wish more information before applying, do not hesitate to first get in touch.
For more information, see job offer on Euraxess website

Expected start date: between September and December 2026

Application deadline: 15 August 2026