Ledig stilling ved UiT Norges arktiske universitet
ERC-funded PhD Fellow: Photonic Crystal Waveguides for On-Chip Trace Gas Spectroscopy
Deadline: 09.09.2020
UiT The Arctic University of Norway
UiT is a multi-campus research university in Norway and the northernmost university of the world. Our central location in the High North, our broad and diverse research and study portfolio, and our interdisciplinary qualities make us uniquely suited to meet the challenges of the future. At UiT you can explore global issues from a close-up perspective.
Credibility, academic freedom, closeness, creativity and commitment shall be hallmarks of the relationship between our employees, between our employees and our students and between UiT and our partners.
The main task of the Faculty of Science and Technology is to conduct research and teaching at high national and international level. Prioritized research areas include energy, climate, environment, maritime, marine, nano-, space-, and information technology; addressing both general topics and topics relevant for the High North.
Faculty of Science and Technology
The position
The Department of Physics and Technology announces a vacant position of a 4-year PhD fellow attached to the ERC Starting Grant project “Cryptophane Enhanced Trace Gas Spectroscopy for On-Chip Methane Detection (sCENT).” The goal of this project is to develop a methane sensor based on a photonic chip, which will be 2-3 orders of magnitude more sensitive than other existing chip-scale devices.
The position is formally attached to the Ultrasound, Microwaves and Optics group of the Department of Physics and Technology, which has the strongest track record in optical waveguide technology in Norway, and currently involves about 30 people, 70 % of them from abroad. Its research is at the forefront in nanophotonic waveguide technology for IR and Raman spectroscopic sensing and super-resolution imaging. Within this group, the Laser Spectroscopy team, led by Assoc. Prof. Jana Jágerská, focuses on the development of photonic instrumentation for trace gas sensing to be primarily deployed for measurements of methane and CO2 emissions in the Arctic. Its research is funded from three external projects, among others the prestigious ERC Starting Grant. By the end of 2020, the group will count 7 members, of it 4 PhD-students 2 Post-Doctoral Fellows and 1 Researcher.
The position is available for commencement from October 1st 2020. The workplace is at UiT in Tromsø. You must be able to start in the position in Tromsø within a reasonable time after receiving the offer.The position is for a period of four years. The nominal length of the PhD program is three years. The fourth year is distrubuted as 25 % each year, and consist of teaching and other duties. The objective of the position is to complete research training to the level of a doctoral degree. Admission to a PhD programme is a prerequisite for employment, and the programme period starts on commencement of the position. The PhD fellow shall participate in the faculty’s organized research training, and the PhD project shall be completed during the period of employment.
The positions field of research
Most sensitive gas sensors that supply data for climate and space research, including the methane sensor on NASA’s Curiosity Mars Rover, have detection limits at ppb to ppt levels. This means they can detect one molecule of target gas among one billion to one trillion of other molecules. Such sensors are typically based on laser absorption spectroscopy technique combined with optical cavities or multipass cells that enable strong interaction between light and the scarce gas molecules. The aim of our research is to develop sensors of similar performance but of an orders of magnitude smaller footprint, realized on a photonic chip. Our projects follow two different approaches: Development of novel waveguides optimized for long pathlengths and strong interaction with the surrounding gas, and on-chip gas pre-concentration compatible with mid-infrared spectroscopic detection.
Roles and responsibilities of the PhD Fellow
The main focus of this PhD project will be the development of new photonic crystal waveguides tailored for spectroscopic gas detection. The PhD thesis offers a synthesis of theory, modelling, fabrication and experimental work with the following key research tasks:
Theoretical simulation and design of low-loss photonic crystal membrane-based waveguides operating in the mid-infrared spectral range
Fabrication of the waveguides in the new cleanroom facility at UiT and at NTNU’s Nanolab in Trondheim
Evaluation of the waveguide sensor performance for spectroscopic detection of methane and carbon dioxide
A more fundamental part of the project will investigate the possibility of waveguide operation in the so-called slow light regime, and its influence on both the waveguiding properties and the sensitivity of the sensor.
Depending on the work progress, the developed sensors will be integrated in a demonstrator and optimized for drone-conducted identification and quantification of methane sources in the Arctic. Possibility of commercialization can also be explored at the end of the thesis.
The successful candidate will work in the team with 3 postdocs and 2 PhD students, whose expertise covers the fields of photonics, spectroscopy, and analytical chemistry. The working hours will be utilised for research, teaching, co-supervision of master and internship students, and dissemination of results in peer-reviewed journals and conferences. An overseas research stay during the appointment period will be encouraged.
Principal external collaboration includes the Institute of Electronic Systems at NTNU Trondheim (Norway) and Zeppler Institute of Photonics at the University of Southampton (UK).
Contact
Further information about the position and UiT is available by contacting:
The position requires a Norwegian Master’s degree, or a corresponding foreign Master’s degree recognised as equivalent in photonics, experimental physics, material science, engineering, or other relevant discipline.
Other requirements include:
Solid background in optics and photonics
Practical experience with work in an optical/photonic laboratory
Prior hands-on experience with optical waveguides
Excellence in studies and previous work
Excellent command of English, both written and verbal. Interest in Norwegian language and culture is welcome. Documentation of English proficiency as stated here is required.
In addition, it is an advantage that the applicant has:
International experience and cultural awareness
Experience with photonic simulation software (Photon Design, Lumerical, MIT Photonic Bands, Comsol)
Basic knowledge about 2D photonic crystals
Basic knowledge about IR spectroscopy
Emphasis will be put on the candidates potential for research, motivation and personal suitability for the position.
Admission to the PhD programme
Admission requires that the applicant has at least 5 years of higher education, equivalent to 300 ECTS. The applicant must have a Master’s thesis evaluated equivalent to 30 ECTS or more, or 20 ECTS for an integrated Master’s degree. The applicant must have an average of C or better. For applicants with a foreign education, it will be evaluated if the educational background is equivalent to Norwegian higher education. We use national guidelines according to NOKUT. Applicants from some countries will have to document additional higher education in order to be admitted to the programme.
Further information about requirements and the PhD programme is available here: PhD education - Faculty of Sciences and Technology. When appointed, the fellow will be provisionally admitted to the PhD programme. After commencement, application for final admission to the PhD programme must be submitted within a stipulated deadline.
As many as possible should have the opportunity to undertake organized research training. If you already hold a PhD or have equivalent competence, we will not appoint you to this position.
Application and assessment
Your application must include:
Cover / motivation letter (max 1 page)
CV including track record, i.e. description of your academic production (max 3 pages)
Diplomas, diploma supplements and transcripts for Bachelor’s and Master’s degree
Master thesis, and up to five other academic works (if applicable)
Three references, including the master thesis supervisor
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 commencement in the position.
All documents and letters must be in English or a Scandinavian language. Thesis and other academic works should preferably be in English or a Scandinavian language. We only accept applications sent via www.jobbnorge.no.
The assessment will emphasize motivation, academic and personal suitability for the position and the research project. Emphasis will be put on potential for research as shown by the Master’s thesis and any other academic works. In addition, we may consider work experience, teaching qualifications or other activities of significance for the PhD studies. The applicant should be creative, with a strong ability to work problem oriented, and enjoy working in collaboration with others. Furthermore, the applicant must be willing to engage in the ongoing development of the discipline and the university as a whole.
We offer
Involvement in an interesting research project with excellent career opportunities
A large degree of independence in work
Opportunities to travel and meet other leading scientists within the field
Good remuneration
Fantastic work environment with friendly and dedicated colleagues
UiT has good welfare arrangements for employees including beneficial arrangements for pension and insurances. The UiT main campus is located near the city centre of Tromsø, a vibrant city located in Northern Norway with approximately 75 000 inhabitants. The location well known for its stunning landscape also offers ample opportunities for aurora and whale watching, hiking, kayaking, mountaineering, and skiing.
More practical information for working and living in Norway can be found here: Welcome to UiT!
Remuneration of PhD positions are in salary code 1017, and normally start at salary grade 54 on the pay scale for Norwegian state employees, corresponding to approx. 479 600 NOK/year in 2020. There is a 2% deduction for contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.
General information
The appointment is made in accordance with State regulations and guidelines at UiT. At our website, you will find more information for applicants.
A shorter period of appointment may be decided when the PhD Fellow has already completed parts of their research training programme or when the appointment is based on a previous qualifying position PhD Fellow, research assistant, or the like in such a way that the total time used for research training amounts to three years.
A good work environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional capacity or cultural background. UiT will emphasize making the necessary adaptations to the working conditions for employees with reduced functional abilitWe process personal data given in an application or CV in accordance with the Personal Data Act (Offentleglova). According to Offentleglova information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure. You will receive advance notification in the event of such publication, if you have requested non-disclosure.
