MRI Analyst - Neuroimaging Facility Barcelonaβeta Brain Research Center

About the employer

The Barcelonaβeta Brain Research Center (BBRC) is a research center dedicated to the prevention of Alzheimer's disease and the study of cognitive functions affected in healthy and pathological aging. It was created in 2012 by the Pasqual Maragall Foundation, with the support of the Pompeu Fabra University.
The mission of the BBRC is to provide innovative solutions to decipher and prevent biological changes and cognitive dysfunction associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Due to the aging of the world population, these diseases constitute a global challenge, since for example, dementia can reach epidemic levels in 2050, with a forecast of more than 150 million people
affected, if is not found a way to prevent its appearance and development.
The BBRC received the HR Excellence in Research award (HRS4R) granted by the European Commission; a recognition that shows its adherence to the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Research Staff. The center offers a stimulating and favorable working environment in accordance with the Charter and Code, which describe the rights and responsibilities of researchers and their employers, and contributes to the creation of a transparent, attractive and open ecosystem at international level.
Pasqual Maragall Foundation, Pompeu Fabra University and “la Caixa” Foundation are permanent members of the BBRC Board. The center is affiliated and located in the Ciutadella Campus of the Pompeu Fabra University of Barcelona, in a building inaugurated in 2016. The BBRC headquarters has excellent technical facilities, including a 3T MR scanner dedicated to research, and spaces for conducting Clinical Trials and EEG. State-of-the-art scientific facilities,  effective management and continuous high-standard peer-review evaluation are the BBRC core proceedings to ensure achieving world-class research results.
BBRC is also part of the Barcelona Biomedical Research Park (PRBB), a large research facility that hosts other seven different research institutions related to biomedical research, including the Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), the Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), the Department of Experimental and Health Sciences of the Pompeu Fabra University
(CEXS-UPF), the Institute of Evolutionary Biology (IBE CSIC-UPF), the Barcelona Institute of Global Health (ISGlobal) and the Barcelona site of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), among others, in a multidisciplinary, collaborative and stimulating international environment in close contact with a clinical setting, thus conducive to translational research.

More information about BBRC: www.barcelonabeta.org

About the project

The ALFA (for Alzheimer and Families) parent cohort, established by the Barcelonaβeta Brain Research Center, comprises nearly 3.000 cognitively normal participants, most of whom are first-degree descendants of AD patients. This cohort was established as a research platform to characterize preclinical Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in asymptomatic individuals and will serve to untangle the natural history of the disease and to model the preclinical stages to develop successful trials to prevent AD. Within the ALFA programme, the ALFA+ cohort study is composed of 420 cognitively unimpaired participants, aged between 45 and 65 years at ALFA
baseline visit, who have been thoroughly characterised from a sociodemographic, clinical, lifestyle, cognitive, genetic, and biomarker (both fluid and neuroimaging). Participants are followed every 3 years: so far we have conducted the study’s baseline visit (2016-2019), the first follow-up visit (2019-2022), and are currently performing the second follow-up visit (2023-
2025) During each visit, participants undergo two one-hour MRI sessions in the BBRC’s cutting-edge MRI scanner (Philips Ingenia 3.0T CX), which is dedicated exclusively to research and supported by Philips’ scientific-technical expertise. MRI data are organized and processed using an imaging informatics system (XNAT) tailored for imaging informatics and research workflows.
The MRI sequences performed, especially those in the second session, have high innovative value and require thorough analysis and quality control to be validated for future research use. 

About the job

The Neuroimaging Facility supports research projects at BBRC involving acquiring, managing, and processing brain imaging data through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET).
BBRC is looking for a full-time MRI Analyst to support the analysis of advanced MRI sequences in the context of neurodegenerative research. The position involves working with a range of advanced MRI techniques (e.g., ASL, QSM, Multi-b diffusion, MRS.) acquired as part of the ALFA+ study. These modalities are essential for extracting physiological biomarkers related to the preclinical stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
The selected candidate will work closely with the Neuroinformatics team to develop and implement image processing pipelines, perform quality control, and contribute to data interpretation and dissemination through scientific publications and presentations.

Main Responsibilities

• Support the development of analytical pipelines for advanced MRI sequences (e.g.,
  ASL, QSM, multi-b diffusion, MRS).
• Conduct quality control of MRI data and derivatives to ensure consistency, robustness,
  and accuracy.
• Perform data analysis and communicate results from BBRC studies.
  Contribute to the drafting of research manuscripts and presentations.
• Assist BBRC researchers with data analysis and interpretation of results from MR
  neuroimaging data.
   

Required qualifications and professional experience

• Degree in Physics, Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• An MSc or a PhD in Neuroimaging, Bioinformatics, or a related field will be favorably
  valued.
• Expertise in analyzing MRI images using standard tools (e.g., SPM, FSL, Freesurfer).
• Strong skills in Python and Matlab.
• Basic understanding of MR physics.
• Experience with statistical analysis and large-scale datasets.
• Proficient in English.
• General knowledge of clinical and biological aspects of Alzheimer’s Disease and related
  neurodegenerative disorders is a plus.
• Experience in drafting research manuscripts and presenting research results in
  scientific conferences is a plus.

Personal skills

•  Be a team player.
• Flexibility to act with multidisciplinary teams.
• Capacity to work independently and communicate efficiently.
• Should demonstrate integrity values and must possess effective interpersonal skills.
• Interest in joining a non-profit organization with a mission of high social impact.
   

We offer

•  Starting date: Immediately.
• Full-time position, 38 hours weekly with flexible working hours.
• Permanent contract.
• Salary will depend on experience and will be in accordance to BBRC’s salary scales.
• Hybrid working model (on-site + teleworking).
• Possibility to pursue a Scientific career / PhD Thesis.
• Join a team of highly specialized staff in neuroimaging analysis.

We offer and promote a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applicants regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity. We offer as well, the unique research opportunity in a highly innovative
project in a multidisciplinary institution.
In the BBRC we also care about developing your professional abilities and career. We evaluate the potential of our team in order to develop the skills necessary to achieve a high level of professional performance.

Application process
To apply, please submit a single PDF file containing the following:
1) Cover letter describing research interests and relevant background
2) CV
3) All files or inquiries should be submitted electronically to: talent@barcelonabeta.org
Subject: MRI Analyst

In compliance with the data protection regulation, we inform you that your personal data will be processed by the Pasqual Maragall Foundation to manage the selection process for the job offer you have applied for. You can exercise your rights of access, rectification, suppression, opposition and other rights present in the normative, sending an email to gdpr@barcelonabeta.org. For further information and how to use your rights, please see our privacy policy.