The team of Dr. Erik Manders, consisting of technical engineers, physicists and biologists, works on the development of new super-resolution microscopy technology with strongly reduce phototoxic properties. For this research we are searching for a PhD Student in Applied Mathematics “Super-resolution microscopy: sharpening by calculation”
Project Description
The STW-Perspectief programme: “Nanoscopy: From sharp images to molecular interaction” is a large national programme on the development of super-resolution microscopy or “nanoscopy” and its applications in biomedical sciences. In the last decade new technologies has been developed that enable achieving resolutions down to 10-50 nm (in contrast of the limited resolution (~250 nm) in classical microscopy). This is a spectacular development, however, the potential of nanoscopy is much higher; it will allow the direct observation of the molecular machines that make up the cell and enable extraction of functional data such as molecular interactions and dynamics. It is our ambition to lift existing nanoscopy techniques to a level than enables extraction of information on biomolecular action and interaction in intact cells.
To achieve this, we will tackle various aspects of experimental nanoscopy in seven projects, all with the same ultimate goal: adding nanoscopy integrally to the toolbox for biomedical research. We have assembled a strong, interdisciplinary and enthusiastic team of scientists from seven Dutch universities, each with broad experience in advanced microscopy. Seven companies are committed to this program and are enthusiastic to work together with this consortium towards our common goal. This collaboration between scientific and commercial partners will result in high impact scientific papers, new hardware, sorftware, new fluorescent molecules and methodology. For this programme we search for 12 enthusiastic and talented PhD students and post-doctoral fellows who would like to contribute to the next step in advanced microscopy: “biomedical nanoscopy”.
We are looking for a PhD student to study and develop patterned illumination for improved molecular contrast. Patterned illumination methods, such as Structured Illumination Microscopy (SIM), can improve resolution, but at the expense of an increase in illumination dose per unit volume, with adverse effects on photobleaching and phototoxicity. The goal is to use a specifically designed sequence of adaptive illumination patterns, projected onto the sample with the aid of a Spatial Light Modulator (SLM), to reach the same resolution improvement as SIM with the least possible total illumination dose. The project will be carried out in cooperation with the Technical University Delft. The emphasis in Amsterdam will be on combination of patterned illumination with Controlled Light Exposure Microscopy (See Hoebe et al. Nat. Biotech, 2007) in order to strongly reduce phototoxicity. The PhD student will focus on the mathematical background of image reconstruction in collaboration with our scientific and industrial partners. This project will be supervised by Dr. Erik Manders.
Requirements
The PhD student has a Master's in applied mathematics, physics (or technical engineering), is skilled in applied mathematics, numerical simulation and analysis, computer programming and preferably has experience in the field of microscopy hardware (optics, electronics, software). The candidate is creative and inventive and has an affection with biological research and has demonstrated experience in working both independently and as member of a larger team.
Further Information
Project information can be obtained from:
- Dr. Erik Manders
telephone: +31-(0)20-525-6225
Appointment
The appointment will be on a temporary basis for a period of 4 years (initial appointment will be for a period of 18 year and after satisfactory evaluation it can be extended for a total duration of 4 years) and should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). An educational plan will be drafted that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. The PhD student is also expected to assist in teaching of undergraduates.
Based on a full-time appointment (38 hours per week) the gross monthly salary will range from €2042,- in the first year to €2612,- in the last year.
The Collective Employment Agreement (CAO) of the Dutch Universities is applicable. In addition, the collaborative nature of this project will provide the candidate with ample opportunity to interact with many leading scientists working in optical nanoscopy.
Job Application
Applications may only be submitted by electronic mail by clicking Apply Now, quoting the vacancy number and the position you are applying for in the subject line.
Applications must include a curriculum vitae, a list of publications, a list of grades, a motivation letter and the names and contact details of at least two academic referees. Please make sure you send your letter and the other documents as one single file.
Source: http://www.uva.nl/en/about-the-uva/working-at-the-uva/vacancies/item/12-324.html