About the position

The Faculty of Technologhy, Natural Sciences and Maritime Operations has a vacant temporary position as Postdoc at the Department of Microsystems at USN in Horten. The position is financed by the Research Council of Norway under the FRINATEK programme. It is part of two bigger projects involving the development of computational microscopy using Fourier Ptychography methods in the visible and the X-ray wavelengths, both in trasmission and in reflection geometries. There are PhD students involved as well. These projects are a collaboration between Physics Department NTNU Trondheim and Department of Microsystems USN Horten, with Professor Dag Breiby as the overall project leader.

The appontment has a duration of 2 years.

Information about the Physics Department, NTNU

Currently, there are 27 professors, 10 associate professors, 7 adjunct professors, 70 PhD research fellows and 24 postdoctoral researchers appointed at the Department of Physics. Further information is available at: http://www.ntnu.no/fysikk/english.

The Department's research spans from a broad spectrum of natural sciences and technology, which in turn allows us to offer an education that provides a solid basis for future careers. Physics research is carried out in experimental as well as theroretical fields, often across conventional boundaries between diciplines through external collaborations. The Department's central research areas are biophysics, nanoscience, surface physics, modern optics, astrophysics, solar energy, materials science, soft matter physics and medical technology. Research staff at the Department makes special effort to increase the awareness and understanding of the importance and impact of physics in society.

Infomation about the Department of Microsystems, USN

Currently, there are 12 professors, 4 associate professors, 20+ PhD research fellows and postdoctoral researchers appointed at the Department. Further information is available at:

http://www.usn.no/research/postgraduate-studies-phd/our-phd-programmes/applied-micro-and-nano-systems/.

The Department's research spans from 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 part of Norwegian NorFab and NanoNetwork with access to all the facilities. We have a modern clean room with relevant equipment for device fabrications, packaging and characterization.

Responsibilities and duties

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. The PoreLab project will develop computational microscopy methods both using visual X-ray radiation with the specific aim of nanoscale-imaging of surfaces, thin films and porous materials, with applications in materials science biology and medicine. Fourier ptychography (FP) is a recently developed coherent diffraction imaging (CDI) technique dependent on partially coherent light and numerical phase retrieval, which will be tailored for the specific needs of PoreMIC.

Sample systems of particular relevance to the visual branch of the project include nanostructures surfaces and scanning of large area structures like wafers and optical disks. With the X-ray microscopy technique we plan to image soft materials and organic thin films in 3D. In both cases, micro electo-mechanical systems (MEMS) devices and interfaces might also be studied.

The PoreMIC project is a collaboration between Norwegain University of Science and Technology (NTNU; Professor Breiby) , University of South-Eastern Norway (USN; Professor Akram), Swiss Light Source - Paul Scherrer Institute (SLS-PSI; Dr. Menzel), European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF; Dr. Konovalov) and University of Le Mans (Professor Gibaud). The project partners are well positioned for this demanding project with an excellent knowledge base and outstanding research infrastructure.

The research work will involve designing, construction and using state-of-the-art experimental set-ups. Sophisticated analysis and modelling of large datasets, also using statistical and machine learning methods could be an integral part of the work. The three main targeted research objectives of the project are: (i) Development of visual-light Fourier ptychography microscope for studies of surfaces, (ii) Development of Fourier Ptychography in the X-ray regime, (iii) FP microscopy studies of the sample systems as outlined above. In addition, the candidates are expected to participate actively in the group activities, including mentoring and co-supervision of students.

Qualifications

The successful candidates should hold a PhD in physics, electrical engineering or photonics. In exceptional cases, applicants with a background in related fields like biophysics, nanotechnology, or material science can also be considered. The position requires a strong interest in computational imaging, signal processing and data analysis. Experience from nano-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, mobile-phone App development) and hardware building skills are desired.

The successful candidates should be creative, ambitious and enthusiastic, with a strong ability to work independently and goal-oriented. Excellence in scientific writing and good oral presentation skills are requested. He/she should enjoy interdisciplinary research and take keen interest in learning and working in teams, which is of paricular 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
• A good social environment
• Attractive welfare benefits in the State Pension Plan
• Opportunity for physical activities within working hours

Salary

Postdoktor (code 1352): NOK 515 200 – 658 300 a year. Salary placement depending on seniority. In special cases, higher salary may be considered. A statutory contribution will be made from the employee’s salary to the state pension plan.

Additional information

The Academic Appointments Board is responsible for appointments to academic positions at University of South-Eastern Norway. An expert committee will evaluate the applications. On the basis of the committee’s recommendations, short-listed applicants will be called in for interviews and must be prepared to give a practice lecture.

The successful applicant must comply with the laws, regulations and agreements that apply to the position.

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.

According to the Norwegian Freedom of Information act § 25 2 paragraph, information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, even though the applicant has requested non-disclosure. The applicant will be informed if his/her request has been declined.

For further information concerning the position please contact Professor Muhammad Akram at Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciencies and Maritime Operation at Department of Micorsystems, USN, email: muhammad.n.akram@usn.no (https://scholar.google.no/citations?user=QWaA0u8AAAAJ&hl=en) or Professor Dag W. Breiby (Project leader), at Department of Physics; NTNU, email: dag.breiby@ntnu.no (https://www.ntnu.edu/employees/dag.breiby).

How to apply

University of South-Eastern Norway uses online applications. We therefore ask applicants to register their application and CV online by clicking on the “Send application” link to the right. The application must include the following document:

• Certified diplomas, certificates and transcripts
• List of works and descriptions of these
• Academic publications (up to 10 for associate professor) and other scientific works
• List and documentation of pedagogical qualifications
• Names and contact information of three referees

Please note that all documents must be translated into English or a Scandinavian language by an authorized translator.

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