The Advanced Imaging Research Center (AIRC) at the UT Southwestern Medical Center in

Dallas / Texas / US invites applications for an open rank (Assistant, Associate or Full Professor 

depending on qualification) tenure-track faculty position in the field of preclinical magnetic 

resonance imaging.

Potential topics include but are not limited to (I) novel contrast mechanisms; (II) acquisition and 

 analysis methods for high-resolution structural, microstructural and functional 

neuroimaging exploiting ultra-high fields and cryo-probes; (III) metabolic pre-clinical imaging 

using MR spectroscopy, CEST and non-proton MRI; (IV) simultaneous PET-MRI;

(V) hyperpolarized MRI; (VI) advanced quantitative, functional and metabolic body MRI in rodents; 

(VII) integration of MRI with other modalities such as fluorescence imaging or optoacoustic 

imaging; (VIII) cross-validation of MRI contrasts against invasive methods (NMR, mass spectroscopy, 

optical and electron microscopy, biochemical assays) to enhance the physiological interpretation of 

imaging contrasts.

Since its creation in 2005, the AIRC has established a track record of excellence in metabolic 

imaging including the development of MRI contrast agents, a hyperpolarization program, magnetic 

resonance spectroscopy as well as the investigation of tissue extracts by NMR after ¹³C labelled 

isotope infusion. Due to the recent establishment of the O’Donnell Brain Institute at UTSW and to 

better support an active clinical and basic science neuroimaging community at UTSW, UTD and UTA we 

aim to develop a strong MRI neuroimaging methodology expertise to complement the existing focus. 

UTSW has an international reputation in clinical and basic science excellence. There have been six 

Nobel Prize recipients since 1985.

AIRC provides access to human and preclinical MRI scanners to faculty and students at the three 

University of Texas academic institutions in north Texas to advance human imaging studies and 

translational research in animals. The AIRC currently consists of 12 primary faculty and more than 

20 secondary or adjunct faculty and will expand by about 5 primary faculty in near future. AIRC is 

equipped with three human research-only 3T MR scanners (Philips Ingenia, Siemens Prisma, GE 750w), 

one human 7T MR scanner (Philips, first DDAS 7T system worldwide, software R5.9, parallel 

transmission fully integrated, state-of-the art neuroimaging scan protocols, enhanced multinuclear 

capability), three state-of-the art small animal MR scanners (Bruker 3T with HP capability, Bruker 

7T with PET insert, 9.4T with rat and mouse brain cryo-coils and strong gradients), two 

hyperpolarization setups (Spin Aligner for preclinical and SpinLab for human application), 3 NMR 

spectrometers (Bruker) and a MRI contrast agent chemistry lab. The human and preclinical MRI and 

NMR facilities inside the AIRC recently underwent renovation and comprehensive hardware and 

software upgrades and are at the latest state-of-the-art. The nearby Radiology Department offers 

access to a cyclotron for producing radiotracers, small animal and human PET/CT and SPECT/CT 

scanners, bioluminescence and fluorescence imaging for rodents and a highly focused ultra-

sound (HIFU) system integrated with pre-clinical MRI. The installation of integrated human

PET-MRI and MRI-HIFU systems (Radiology) and two integrated MR-LINAC (Radiation

Oncology) were completed recently.

Applicants for this position should have a strong scientific record of accomplishment in small 

animal MRI methods development, which is supported by respective publications and extramural 

funding. The research focus of the candidate should be the development of novel or the integration 

of multi-modal imaging methods, the development of novel acquisition and analysis approaches or 

innovative approaches to validate imaging contrasts. Knowledge of either MRI sequence development, 

MRI or multi-modal instrumentation development or the development of comprehensive data analysis 

pipelines is required. Applicants should have a degree in physics, biomedical engineering, 

electrical engineering, computational science or applied mathematics. Experience in supervising 

graduate students and/or postdoctoral researchers is preferred. Faculty are expected to develop an 

independent, extramurally-funded research program and actively engage with clinical and basic 

research faculty across campus to apply the latest small animal imaging technologies to probe basic 

physiology and investigate disease models.

The position is available immediately and the search is going to continue until a suitable 

candidate is found. The rank (Assistant/Associate/Full Professor), is dependent on 

qualifications, previous experience and record of accomplishment of the candidate. The offer will 

include an attractive start-up package and a highly competitive salary.

UT Southwestern Medical Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Women, 

minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Applications should include a letter of interest, a curriculum vitae, a list of publications (peer- 

reviewed original articles; review articles; book chapters; conference contributions; patents; 

other), a list of grants (please clearly distinguish grants as PI, as Co-PI and as person funded by 

the grant); a list of supervised students (Bachelor, Master, PhD) and postdoctoral researchers; a 

comprehensive summary of past research experience and future research interests (max 4 pages); PhD 

and Master certificates and respective transcripts; PDF copies of 5 most important publications and 

three references (contact details only).

All materials should be sent electronically as a single PDF file to Anke Henning, Director, 

Advanced Imaging Research Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, US: 

Anke.Henning@UTSouthwestern.edu and uploaded to the UTSW Talent Acquisition system: 

https://jobs.utsouthwestern.edu/job/16793398/small-animal-mri-faculty-advanced-imaging-

research-center-dallas-tx/.