PhD Research Fellow in Applied Micro- and Nanosystems, Miniaturized Computational Imaging
Deadline: 16.06.2020
Publisert
University of South-Eastern Norway
University of South-Eastern Norway has about 18 000 students and about 1500 employees. The university is organized in four faculties, with instruction and R&D activities on eight campuses. The main profile of the university is to provide socially relevant education, geared towards specific professions, and adapted to the requirements of the workplace, as well as to produce applied research and development.
The Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences have a vacancy for a position as PhD Research Fellow in Applied Micro- and Nanosystems, Miniaturized Computational Imaging
About the position
The Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences has a vacancy for a position as PhD Research Fellow in Applied Micro- and Nanosystems.
The position is located at the Department of Microsystems (IMS) and reports to the Head of Department. The place of employment is Campus Vestfold in Horten.
Appointment is for a period of three years. The position does not include teaching duties.
About the PhD-project
Background and project description: Miniaturized Computational Imaging Sensing Platform
A high resolution imaging microscope is an essential tool for seeing, identifying, tracking and quantifying interesting details in small objects, including bacteria, biological cells, live cell growth monitoring, micro-fluid based biomedical devices with online sensing, identifying and counting micro-plastics pollution in water, to name a few. Traditional imaging platforms are bulky and come with many limitations: resolution vs. field-of-view trade-off, CCD pixel count, phase imaging needs special optics, 3D information is lost.
We are working on combining computational imaging techniques (Fourier optics, ptychography, phase retrieval, super-resolution) with low-cost optics and cameras to overcome the above- mentioned limitations. The outcome of this work is that one can get a platform with gigapixel effective resolution with added information such as quantitative phase maps, anisotropic details, 3D layered phase information of the object under study. The term Computational Microscopy denotes recent efforts to improve microscopy-using computers as an active part of the image formation process, typically enabling better resolution, larger fields of view, improved contrast or 3D microscopy. Fourier Ptycography (FP) is a recently developed coherent diffraction imaging (CDI) technique dependent on partially coherent light and numerical phase retrieval.
We have a PhD position available at Department of Microsystems at USN in Horten. The PhD student will be part of bigger projects involving the development of computational microscopy techniques using Fourier ptychography methods in the visible and the X-ray wavelengths. We have worked on coherent imaging (speckle reduction, laser projectors, infrared imaging, Fourier ptychography in the visible and the X-ray regimes) and there are on-going projects on super-resolution imaging. There are currently several PhD students and postdoctoral researchers involved in these efforts. These projects are collaborations between the Department of Microsystems at USN in Horten and the Department of Physics at NTNU in Trondheim.
We plan to use additional degree of freedom of light to further enhance the information that can be extracted from the object (anisotropic details, 3D layered structure, 3D layered phase information). By using 3D packaging methods, it is intend to develop this computational polarization microscope into a low-cost miniaturized component (few cm3 volume) so that is can be used universally in the field or incorporated as a compact module with existing microfluidic devices. Further compactness and functionality can be achieved by using thin lenses made by MEMS technology and integrating a light source. The research will involve designing, construction of the hardware, fabricating meta-lenses and developing software for the imaging. Sophisticated analysis and modelling of large datasets will be an integral part of the work.
The main target research objectives of the project are:
Development of a compact visual-light Fourier ptychography microscope platform
Development of thin lenses for imaging
Algorithm and software development
FP microscopy studies of interesting sample systems
Information about the Department of Microsystems, USN
Currently there are 12 professors, 4 associate professors, 20+ PhD researc fellows and posdoctoral researchers appointet at the Department. Further information is available at:
The Department's research spans a broad spectrum of applied microsystems. The Department's central research areas are: MEMS device technology, ultrasound devices, imaging optics and optoelectronics, materials science and BioMEMS technology. The Department is a part of Norwegian NorFab and NanoNetwork with access to all the facilities. It ha a modern clean-room with relevant equipment for device fabrication, packaging and characterization.
Qualifications
The successful candidate should hold a Master’s degree in physics, electrical engineering or photonics. The applicant must have gained the degree within commencement date.
It is a requirement that the successful applicant is granted admission to the university’s doctoral program in Applied Micro- and Nanosystems within three months after commencement, which requires an average grade B from Master’s degree, in addition to grade B at the final master project.
The position requires a strong interest in computational imaging, signal processing and data analysis. Experience from structural studies using scattering, diffraction or high resolution microscopy methods would be considered an advantage. Knowledge of Fourier optics, coherent imaging or microscopy (e.g. ptychography or holography) is desired. Strong computer programming skills (e.g. Matlab, Python or C) and hardware building skills are desired. Prior work in the clean-room for device fabrication would also be advantageous.
The successful candidates should be creative, ambitious and enthusiastic, with a strong ability to work independently and goal-oriented. He/she should enjoy interdisciplinary research and take keen interest in learning and working in teams, which is of particular importance in this multidisciplinary project.
The position require spoken and written fluency in English.
We offer
A professionally stimulating working environment
Good opportunities to develop your career and your academic skills
Opportunity for physical activities within working hours
Salary
PhD Research Fellow (code 1017): NOK 479 600 a year. Further promotion will be based on time served in the position.
[In special cases, employment in code 1378 (NOK 456 400 – 615 900 a year) may be considered.]
A statutory contribution to the state pension plan will be deducted from the employee’s salary.
Other information
The Academic Appointments Board is responsible for appointments to academic positions at University College of Southeast Norway. An expert assessment of applicants will be carried out. Short-listed candidates will be called in for interviews and must be prepared to present and discuss their projects.
The person appointed must comply with the laws, regulations and agreements that apply at any given time to the post.
As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.
There are fw women employed in research positions at the Department, and consequently women are especially encouraged to apply.
Pursuant to section 25, 2nd paragraph of the Freedom of Information Act, information on the applicant may be disclosed even if the applicant has requested not be included on the list of applicants. Applicants will be notified if such requests are not allowed.
Contact information
For more information about the position, please contact:
Professor Muhammad Nadeem Akram, USN, email: muhammad.n.akram@usn.no at Department of Microsystems
Professor Dag W. Breiby, NTNU, email: dag.breiby@ntnu.no
For questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact:HR Advisor Kari L Foss-Pedersen, email: kari.foss-pedersen@usn.no
How to apply
The University of South-Eastern Norway makes use of online application management. Applicants to the post must register their application and CV with enclosures online via the Jobbnorge recruitment portal by clicking on the link on the right-hand side – “Søk stillingen” (Apply for the post).
The following documents shall be attached to the online application:
Certified diplomas and certificates from university college/university
Master’s thesis
Any scientific publications and a list of these
Three references (contact information)
Please note that all documents must be in a Scandinavian language or in English. Any translations must be certified.
Each applicant is responsible for ensuring that the required documentation has been uploaded with the application.
