BE-OPTICAL

PhD programme: Göttingen Graduate School for Neurosciences, Biophysics, and Molecular Biosciences

Project Title: Light-sheet stochastic optical fluctuation microscopy
Objective: To demonstrate a new powerful optical microscopy technique by combining Stochastic Optical Fluctuation Imaging (SOFI) and Light-Sheet Microscopy (LSM). The candidate will be responsible for building a new 3D-imaging wide-field fluorescence microscope based on a brand-new custom-developed eight-fold beam-splitter.
Background: The candidate should have a profound background in experimental physics or physics-optical engineering. Good English communication skills are essential.

Contact person:
Prof. Jörg Enderlein
Email: jender (a) gwdg.de
Full Job Advert (PDF)

PhD programme: Scottish Graduate School in Physics

Project Title: Light-sheet microscopy with Airy beams
Objective: The main goal of the project is to build a new type of Light-Sheet Microscope (LSM) with Airy beam excitation for enabling high-contrast deep-tissue imaging. The candidate will develop an LSM prototype with Airy-beam excitation yielding exceptional image field of view, image contrast, and spatial resolution.
Background: The candidate should have a strong background in experimental physics or opticalal engineering. Good English communication skills are essential.

Contact person:
Email: kd1 (a) st-andrews.ac.uk
Web: Prof. Kishan Dholakia

PhD programme: Göttingen Graduate School for Neurosciences, Biophysics, and Molecular Biosciences

Project Title: Nanosecond time-resolved super-resolution imaging
Objective: The project focuses on technical aspects on advanced super-resolution optical imaging. New strategies, e.g. for stimulated emission depletion microscopy (STED) or light sheet microscopy, based on pulsed excitation and nanosecond time-resolved detection will be explored.
Background: MSc degree in Physics, Biophysics, Engineering Physics, or Chemistry. Experience in fluorescence microscopy or spectroscopy will be appreciated.
Required Skills: Interest in working in collaborations in interdisciplinary fields. Excellent English language skills.
Additional information: PicoQuant is known as a company leading in the field of pulsed diode lasers, time-resolved data acquisition, single photon counting, and fluorescence instrumentation. Physicists, chemists, biologists, designers, electronic, software, and mechanical engineers work together on the development of state-of-the-art technology which has been co-developed and tested by renowned researchers. PicoQuant is located in Berlin, one of the most exciting cities in Europe.

Contact person:
Email: jobs@picoquant.com
Web: http://www.picoquant.com/company/employment
Full Job Advert (PDF)

PhD programme: Göttingen Graduate School for Neurosciences, Biophysics and Molecular Biosciences (GGNB) at the Georg-August-Universität Göttingen

Project Title: Multi-modal fluorescence imaging of contracting intact hearts
Objective: The goal of the project is to develop a novel method for cardiac imaging of intact Langendorff-perfused hearts (in vitro) that combines fluorescence imaging of voltage and calcium with 4D-reconstruction of the heart's surface. The candidate will be expected to implement a proof-of-concept experimental demonstration of simultaneous measurement of voltage, calcium, and strain in intact hearts (in vitro). Furthermore she/he will develop and validate signal processing algorithms to separate signal distortion from fluorescence signals due to tissue motion. Two software libraries will be produced, one for camera control, calibration, and image reconstruction and one for motion artefact removal.
Background: The candidate should have a Master of Science in Physics, Bioengineering, or equivalent degree.
Required skills: (i) Strong experimental skills in optics, fluorescence imaging, ultrasound imaging or biophysics; (ii) Extensive programming experience in C, C++, Python, or Matlab TM; (iii) Sound knowledge of computational methods (e.g. machine vision, visualization, partial differential equations); (iv) Good English communication skills.
Additional info: Göttingen is a university city (120 000 inhabitants, 30000 of them are students) located in the center of Germany with very good (ICE) train connections to many major cities . The Georg-August-Universität Göttingen was founded in 1734 and became famous as a center of mathematics and the birth place of quantum mechanics. The tradition of the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization goes back to seminal research on turbulence by L. Prandtl in the first half of the last century. Today, the institute is a leading center of research in complex system, nonlinear dynamics, and fluid dynamics, hosting the Research Group Biomedical Physics where the offered PhD position will be located. The PhD student will register for the PhD Programme GGNB and will also be a member of the Institute for Nonlinear Dynamics of the Faculty of Physics of the University of Göttingen.

Contact person:
Email: ulrich.parlitz (a) ds.mpg.de
Web: Prof. Ulrich Parlitz

PhD programme: Göttingen Graduate School for Neurosciences, Biophysics and Molecular Biosciences (GGNB) at the Georg-August-Universität Göttingen

Project Title: Imaging and analysis tools for optogenetic cardiac electrophysiology
Objective: The aim of this project is the development of a novel minimal invasive imaging system and data processing for in vivo optogenetic cardiac electrophysiology.
Background: The candidate should have a Master of Science in Physics, Bioengineering, or equivalent degree.
Required skills: (i) Strong experimental skills in optics, fluorescence imaging, ultrasound imaging or biophysics; (ii) Extensive programming experience in C, C++, Python, or Matlab TM; (iii) Sound knowledge of computational methods (e.g. machine vision, visualization, partial differential equations); (iv) Good English communication skills.
Additional info: Göttingen is a university city (120 000 inhabitants, 30000 of them are students) located in the center of Germany with very good (ICE) train connections to many major cities . The Georg-August-Universität Göttingen was founded in 1734 and became famous as a center of mathematics and the birth place of quantum mechanics. The tradition of the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization goes back to seminal research on turbulence by L. Prandtl in the first half of the last century. Today, the institute is a leading center of research in complex system, nonlinear dynamics, and fluid dynamics, hosting the Research Group Biomedical Physics where the offered PhD position will be located. The PhD student will register for the PhD Programme GGNB and will also be a member of the Institute for Nonlinear Dynamics of the Faculty of Physics of the University of Göttingen.

Contact person:
Email: stefan.luther (a) ds.mpg.de
Web: Dr. Stefan Luther

PhD programme: College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences

Project Title: Multiphoton confocal imaging applied to cardiac myocardium
Objectives:The goals are (i) to improve the collection of emitted fluorescent light from heart tissue during multiphoton excitation; (ii) to examine the extent to which the different refractive indices of the tissue distort the optical path of the excitation light and reduce the effective resolution of the multiphoton imaging system and (iii) to implement changes to the optical system to compensate for the distortion created by the refractive index mismatch. The candidate will examine methods of increasing the effective NA of light collection by designing and making additional collection optics on the epicardial and endocardial surfaces using light guides and auxiliary photomultiplier tubes.
Background: The candidate should have a solid background in experimental physics or optical engineering. Good English communication skills are essential.

PhD programme: Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Informatics Doctoral School

Project Title: Long-depth-range OCT for structural and functional cardiac imaging
Objectives: To explore the potential of swept source OCT for organ-scale imaging with focus on multi-scale non-invasive structural and functional diagnosis of the heart. The main aim of the project is the development of a SS-OCT system for cardiac tissue imaging. In addition to morphological data, OCT will provide information on functioning of the tissue and includes dynamics of the organ as well as elastographic data. The candidate will explore the potential of swept source OCT for organ-scale imaging with focus on multi-scale non-invasive structural and functional diagnosis of the heart.
Background: The candidate should have a solid background in physics or optics. Good English communication skills are essential.

Contact person:
Monika Fojt, Team Coordinator
Email: mfoj (a) fizyka.umk.pl
Full Job Advert ESR 7 (PDF)

PhD programme: UPC Doctoral School on Optical Engineering

Project Title: Hyperspectral imaging system for the dynamic recording of the ocular fundus
Objectives:To develop a novel fast hyperspectral imaging system based on light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for the dynamic recording of the ocular fundus enabling the detection and follow-up of ocular diseases by means of new diagnostic tools. The candidate will work on dynamic recording of the retinal images for the detection and monitoring of eye diseases affecting the retina such as diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma.
Background: MSc and BSc degree in Physics, Engineering Physics, Electronics Engineering, or similar. Professional experience and/or scientific activity in the field of optics/photonics or a related discipline will be appreciated.
Skills: Excellent English; programming skills (C++, Matlab, …); knowledge of optical design software (Zemax, …).
Additional information: Terrassa is a lively city, approx. 30 km west of Barcelona. See more at: http://visitaterrassa.cat/en/

Contact person:
Email: meritxell.vilaseca (a) upc.edu
Web: Meritxell Vilaseca Ricart
Full Job Advert (PDF)

PhD programme: UPC Doctoral School on Optical Engineering

Project Title: OCT system for vision evaluation in a fully autonomous and automatic way
Objective: To develop an OCT system to be integrated in an instrument for visual performance diagnosis by using fully autonomous and automatic registers. The candidate will be tasked with an experimental setup for a complete evaluation of vision to be tested in a clinical setting, using new methods for diagnosis of the visual function and visual therapy, much faster and cheaper than those used at present.
Background: MSc and BSc degree in Physics, Engineering Physics, Electronics Engineering, or similar. Professional experience and/or scientific activity in the field of optics/photonics or a related discipline will be appreciated.
Skills: Excellent English; programming skills (C++, Matlab, …); knowledge of optical design software (Zemax, …).
Additional information: The PhD will be carried out in Terrassa (UPC) and at IMO in Barcelona. See more at: http://visitaterrassa.cat/en/ and http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/en/

Contact person:
Email: pujol (a) oo.upc.edu
Web: Prof. Jaume Pujol (UPC)
Full Job Advert (PDF)

PhD programme: Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Informatics Doctoral School

Project Title: Ophthalmic imaging using multimodal OCT and confocal scanning set-up with non-diffracting beam
Objectives: To develop novel ophthalmic instruments by combing multimodal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO) and OCT.The candidate will develop novel ophthalmic instruments by combing multimodal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO) and OCT.
Background: The candidate should have a solid background in physics or optics. Good English communication skills are essential.

Contact person:
Monika Fojt, Team Coordinator
Email: mfoj (a) fizyka.umk.pl
Full Job Advert ESR 10 (PDF)

PhD programme: UPC Doctoral School on Computational and Applied Physics

Project Title: Incoherent light sources for speckle reduction in ocular imaging
Objective: The goal is to identify compact and reliable, semiconductor-based light sources with appropriated output power and wavelength, optimally tuned for maximum speckle reduction in ocular imaging. The candidate will be tasked with the identification and full characterisation of an optimal semiconductor incoherent light source. A prototype of the hyperspectral system will be constructed, that, by integrating the identified light source, will not require the use of mechanical mechanisms for speckle reduction.
Background: MSc degree in Physics, Engineering Physics, Electronics Engineering, or similar. Experience in optics/photonics will be appreciated. Good English communication skills are essential.
Additional Information: Terrassa is a lively city (about 30 kms from Barcelona) that offers a variety of cultural events and outdoor activities; through UPC PhD program, students have access to language courses, sport facilities, social activities, etc. UPC specialised international welcome office will provide all the necessary logistic support for the first steps (advise on visa, health insurance, accommodation, etc.

Contact person:
Prof. Cristina Masoller
Email: cristina.masoller (a) upc.edu

PhD programme: Doctoral School on Waves and Matter

Project Title: Nano-structured substrates for fluorescence microscopy
Objectives: The implementation of nano-structured (NS) substrates based on nanofabrication technologies, to achieve total internal reflection axial resolution in fluorescence microscopy without the use of TIRF microscope objectives; proof-of-principle demonstration of strong confinement of the optical excitation for localising biomolecules or proteins in living cells. The candidate will investigate novel substrates for imaging GFP-marked samples with reduced fluorescent volumes and enhanced fluorescence.

PhD programme: Göttingen Graduate School for Neurosciences, Biophysics, and Molecular Biosciences

Project Title: LAdvanced image deconvolution techniques for super-resolution microscopy
Objectives: The two goals are: (i) accelerate the cumulant calculation of SOFI images by using Freely Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), and (ii) develop enhanced deconvolution problems which allow for an intrinsic resolution enhancement of SOFI. In combination, they will make SOFI a powerful and broadly applicable super-resolution technique.The candidate will be responsible for building a new 3D-imaging wide-field fluorescence microscope based on a brand-new custom-developed eight-fold beam-splitter and should have a profound background in experimental physics or physics-optical engineering.

Contact person:
Prof. Jörg Enderlein
Email: jender (a) gwdg.de
Full Job Advert (PDF)

PhD programme: UPC Doctoral School on Computational and Applied Physics

Project Title: Novel methods for the characterisation and classification of complex images
Objective: The goal is to develop nonlinear methods of analysis of biomedical images, specifically tuned to the images to be acquired within the BE-OPTICAL project.
Background: An MSc degree in Physics, Engineering Physics, Electronics Engineering, or similar. Experience in optics/photonics will be an advantage. Excellent english and programing skills (Fortran, C, etc…)
Additional Information: Terrassa is a lively city (about 30 kms from Barcelona) that offers a variety of cultural events and outdoor activities; through UPC PhD program, students have access to language courses, sport facilities, social activities, etc. UPC specialised international welcome office will provide all the necessary logistic support for the first steps (advise on visa, health insurance, accommodation, etc.

Contact person:
Prof. Cristina Masoller
Email: cristina.masoller (a) upc.edu