PhD Research Fellow in Applied Micro- and Nanosystems
Deadline: 19.10.2021
University of South-Eastern Norway
The University of South-Eastern Norway, USN, is one of Norway’s largest higher education institutions, with around 18,000 students and 1,900 employees across eight different campuses.
We offer studies, research and knowledge dissemination, all targeting various professions and working life and with a high level of quality internationally. Our goal as a University is to create value both for the individual student and for business and commerce, the public sector and society in general. We achieve this by utilising the best tools we have: education and research.
USN is a University with a strong social commitment where studies and working life are integrated. At USN, we focus on practice-relevant, profession-oriented and applied research and education.
The students shall benefit from innovative educational methods and challenging studies closely associated with society's requirements and needs.
They will learn how to adapt to a society and working life that is constantly changing. The University shall meet major social challenges with knowledge and expertise, helping to promote practical solutions, structural changes and new ways of thinking. USN’s academic activities shall be embodied by a clear dedication to the UN’s sustainable development goals. The University aims to realise this main profile in close cooperation with society and working life.
For more information on USN, please go to www.usn.no
The Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences have a vacancy for a position as PhD Research Fellow in Applied Micro- and Nanosystems
About the position
The Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences has a vacancy for a 100% position as PhD Research Fellow in Applied Micro- and Nanosystems from 01.01.22.
The position is located at the Department of Microsystems (IMS) and reports to the Head of Department. The place of employment is at Campus Vestfold.
The employment period will be three years of full time with no teaching obligations, and there is a premise for employment that the PhD Research Fellow is enrolled in USN’s PhD-program in Applied Microsystems within three months of accession in the position.
About the PhD-project
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 has a modern clean room with relevant equipment for device fabrication, packaging and characterization.
Further information is available at https://www.usn.no/research/postgraduate-studies-phd/our-phd-programmes/applied-micro-and-nano-systems.
Traditional InfraRed optical system consists of aspheric lenses made one-by-one from Germanium, and are bulky and expensive. There is a strong need to make the optical system thin and flat, and be able to mass produce on wafer scale at low cost using molding or nano-imprint technology and using cheap materials such as Silicon or chalcogenides. We plan to develop diffractive/metalens based optical system to achieve these goals.
Traditional diffractive lens is usually a single lens which is narrow-band and gives poor optical performance across a wide field-of-view (FoV). We plan to develop multi-elelemt diffractive/meta-lens with broadband (8-12 um) performance across the whole FoV of the bolometer.
Objectives:
Develop broad band (8-12um) diffractive/meta lens optical system which gives excellent performance across a wide FoV. It will be thin (< 1mm thickness) flat wafer based components with high numerical aperture (F# = 1.0 or better).
Optical system development using Silicon/Chalcogenide based material system by wafer maskless writer/scale molding/nano-imprint technology.
Integrate the optical component with the Infrared Bolometer to make a complete working imaging system. Component and System characterisation.
We have a PhD position available in at the Department of Microsystems at USN in Horten. The researcher will be part of a bigger project involving the development of low-cost infrared cameras. Previously, we have worked on topics such as speckle reduction, laser projectors, infrared imaging, Fourier Ptychography and there are on-going projects on super-resolution imaging. There are currently several PhD students and postdoctoral researchers involved in these efforts.
We plan to use MEMS technology for the design and fabrication of thin wafer scale diffractive/meta lenses for long wave infrared waveband (LWIR). The lenses should perform with best image quality across the waveband and across the field of view. The research work will involve designing using Fourier optics principles, fabricating diffractive-lenses using micro-nano fabrication facilities and characterization in a camera setup. We will use numerical simulation tools, COMSOL and Zemax for the design and optimization of the diffractive-lens stack for best performance. We have significant experience using these softwares for electromagnetic and optical simulations.
Qualifications
Applicants to the PhD position must have a Master’s degree (120 ECTS) equivalent higher education qualifications in Micro- and nanosystems technology, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Photonics or closely related subjects. The degree must be accomplished before application deadline.
The position requires a strong interest in microfabrication, nano-fabrication and computational imaging. Prior work experience in the clean-room for MEMS device fabrication, photolithography, maskless writer and DRIE would be desirable. Knowledge of Fourier optics is is beneficial. Computer programming skills (e.g. Matlab), and hardware building skills would be considered as an advantage
It is a requirement that the successful applicant is granted admission to the university’s doctoral programme in Applied Micro- and Nanosystems within three months of accession in the position, which requires an average grade B from Master’s degree, in addition to grade B at the final master project.
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.
The applicant must document that he/she is fluent in English orally and in writing.
We offer
A stimulating and growing research environment, with good opportunities to develop your career and your academic skills
Opportunity for physical activities within working hours
Salary
PhD Research Fellow (code 1017): NOK 491 200 a year. Further promotion will be based on time served in the position.
A statutory contribution to the state pension plan will be deducted from the employee’s salary.
Other information
The Academic Appointments Board for PhD Research Fellowships is responsible for the appointment. An expert assessment of applicants will be carried out. The candidates deemed best qualified will be invited to an interview.
The person appointed must comply with the laws, regulations and agreements that apply at any given time to the post. Please note that approved work permit is a prerequisite for the employment.
According to its human resources policy, the University of South-Eastern Norway targets a balanced gender composition and aims to recruit persons with a background as an immigrant.
It is our aim that our employees, to the fullest extent possible, shall reflect the diversity of the general population. The Department has few women appointed in scientific positions, and women are therefore particularly 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, email/phone: mna@usn.no / +47 31009030
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:
Transcripts and diplomas of Bachelor's and Master's Degrees (120 ECTS)
Master's thesis
A short motivation letter
Documentation of english proficiency
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.
The application will be assessed on the basis of the attached documentation as requested above. Each applicant is responsible for ensuring that the required documentation has been uploaded with the application deadline.
The University has been awarded a Charter & Code certificate by the European Commission, and is entitled to use the HR Excellence in Research (HRS4R) logo. The University is also a member of the EURAXESS network, which contributes to good working conditions for mobile researchers.
