University of Tromsø - The Arctic University of Norway, Faculty of Science and Technology, has a PhD Candidate position vacant for applicants who wish to obtain the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD). The appointment is for a period of four years.

The position is attached to the Department of Physics and Technology and the project is hosted by the research group in Ultrasound Microwave and Optics (UMO). The appointment is for a period of four years, and the nominal length of the PhD program is three years. The fourth year is used for teaching or other duties for the department. The duties are normally distributed evenly over the four years.

The Department of Physics and Technology consists of five research groups: (1) Earth Observation, (2) Energy and Climate, (3) Machine Learning, (4) Space Physics, and (5) Ultrasound, Microwaves and Optics. The department provides education on the Bachelor, Master, and PhD levels, and comprises 21 permanent scientific positions and a technical/administrative staff of 12 persons.

Further information about the position and project details are available by contacting:

• Associated Professor Balpreet Singh Ahluwalia by email balpreet.singh.ahluwalia@uit.no or telephone +47 77645185

The project and the position’s field of research

The candidate will work towards the development and application optical nanoscopy for bio-imaging applications. The candidate will be associated with two projects awarded to Associate Professor Ahluwalia’s group; (1) ERC Starting Grant project titled “High-speed chip-based nanoscopy to discover real-time sub-cellular dynamics” and (2) NFR BIOTEK2021 Grant project titled “High-throughput and high-resolution pathology using chip-based nanoscopy”.

The project group will consist of Dr Ahluwalia, three Postdocs, one Researcher, four PhDs and several MSc students. The team will be multi-disciplinary and collaborate closely with national and internationally leading researchers. The aim of the project is to develop and apply high-resolution microscopy techniques for imaging sub-cellular organelles in living cell and for super-resolution imaging of tissue samples. During the PhD period, the candidate will study several biological models and different imaging modalities, such as structured illumination microscopy (SIM), single molecule localization based microscopy (SMLM), deconvolution microscopy (DV) and quantitative phase microscopy.

The research group has access to state-of-the-art commercial nanoscopes such as SIM, DV and SMLM bought from GE Healthcare (OMX V4) and homebuilt photonic chip-based SIM and SML nanoscopes. Further details of the group’s research activities and the working environment is found on our web-site.

Roles and responsibilities of the PhD Candidate

The PhD candidate is supposed to focus towards two research directions. The first and main role of the PhD candidate is to apply optical nanoscopy techniques (SIM and SMLN) on several biological applications with a strong focus on tissue section. The candidate has to collaborate closely with different research groups associated with the nanoscopy group. The candidate will work at the bio-photonics, optics and nanoscopy labs at the Department of Physics and Technology, working with commercial SIM and SMLN equipment (OMX v4 GE Healthcare) and homebuilt photonic-chip based nanoscopy set-ups.

The candidate is supposed to work closely with collaborators to optimize the staining protocols and imaging conditions followed by image acquisition using commercial SIM and SMLM techniques and data analysis and image reconstructions.

The second role of the PhD candidate is to continue the development towards the photonic chip-based multi-modality nanoscopy techniques and employ it for bio-imaging application. The candidate will also work to integrate quantitative phase microscopy (QPM) with other fluorescence based optical nanoscopy techniques (SIM and SMLM).

Qualification requirements

This position requires a Master’s degree in Physics/Technology/Bio-photonics.

We are looking for highly motivated candidates who like to work in a team. The candidate should have background of super-resolution optical microscopy, preferably on structured illumination microscopy (SIM) and/or single molecule localization based microscopy techniques. The candidate should possess background on cell handling, such as cell culture and staining. Any background on working with tissue sections will be useful. It is preferred that candidate has applied optical nanoscopy techniques for biological application. Background on other fluorescence imaging techniques, like spinning disk microscopy, deconvolution microscopy is advantageous. It is desirable to have some background on post-processing image tools such as ImajeJ, Fiji, Volocity. Any prior experience on quantitative phase microscopy/imaging will be beneficial. Candidate should describe his/her background towards the area of research of this PhD position.

To gain admission to the PhD programme, you must have a grade average of C or better. Further information about requirements for admission to PhD studies are available here: https://uit.no/nt/phd

The assessment will emphasize motivation and personal suitability for the position. You must be willing to engage in the ongoing development of your discipline and the university as a whole.

During this assessment process, emphasis will be put on your potential for research as shown by the Master’s thesis and any other academic works. In addition, we may consider work experience or other activities of significance for the PhD studies.

Application

Your application must include:

• CV and application letter
• Diplomas and transcripts (diploma supplement)
• Documentation of English language proficiency
• References
• Master’s thesis and any other academic works

Qualification with a Master’s degree is required before commencement in the position. If you are near completion of your Master’s degree, you may still apply and submit a draft version of the thesis and a statement from your supervisor or institution indicating when the degree will be obtained. You must document completion of your degree before 1st of August 2018.

All documentation has to be in English or a Scandinavian language. Submit the application electronically through Jobbnorge.

We offer

• An interesting research project
• A good academic environment with dedicated colleagues
• Good career opportunities
• A large degree of independence in work
• Flexible working hours and a state collective pay agreement
• Pension scheme through the state pension fund

The UiT campus is located near the centre of Tromsø, a vibrant city located in Northern Norway with approximately 75 000 inhabitants. The location also offers ample opportunities for e.g., sighting aurora, hiking and skiing.

Terms of employment

Remuneration of PhD Candidate positions is in salary code 1017, and normally starts at salary grade 50 on the pay scale for Norwegian state employees corresponding to approx. 36 400 NOK/month in 2018. There is a 2 % deduction for contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund. In addition, UiT pays 12 % directly to the Pension Fund on top of the salary.

You have to be qualified for and participate in our PhD study program. As many as possible should have the opportunity to undertake organized research training; thus, if you already hold a PhD or have equivalent competence, we will not appoint you to this position.

More information about moving to Norway: http://uit.no/mobility

General

We make the appointment in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants and guidelines at UiT. At our website, you will find more information for applicants.

UiT The Arctic University of Norway has HR policy objectives that emphasize diversity, and encourages all qualified applicants to apply regardless of their age, gender, functional ability and national or ethnic background. The university is an IW (Inclusive Workplace) enterprise, and we will emphasize making the necessary adaptations to the working conditions for employees with reduced functional ability.

We process personal data given in an application or CV in accordance with the Personal Data Act. You may request to not be registered on the public list of applicants, but the University may decide that your name will be made public. You will receive advance notification in the event of such publication.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Apply for position

Søknadsfrist: 25.06.2018

Web: www.uit.no

Kontakt: Associated Professor Balpreet Singh Ahluwalia

Telefon: +47 77645185

E-post: balpreet.singh.ahluwalia@uit.no