Postdoctoral fellowship“validating adaptive optics in tissue imaging”,Utrecht University,Netherlands

June 14, 2010

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Job description:

Microscopy has become increasingly more important in biological and biomedical work. This is to a great extent due to the development of advanced imaging methods such as confocal microscopy and multi-photon excitation microscopy that enable 3-D imaging in specimens. At present, multi-photon excitation microscopy is the technique of choice for high-resolution in-vivo imaging deep in tissues. Unfortunately, the use of this technique is seriously hampered by specimen-induced aberrations that result in reduced depth penetration, loss of spatial resolution, and increased phototoxicity. Current implementations of adaptive optics (AO) provide evidence that AO can significantly improve image quality, depth penetration, and spatial resolution while reducing phototoxicity in scanning microscopy.

However, severe speed limitations render current AO implementations impractical for real-life applications. In this STW project, we will focus on the development of fast, active compensation methods for specimen-induced wavefront aberrations. High compensation speeds will be realized by using adaptive optics in combination with smart predictive algorithms that take into account all system properties including the scanning nature of the acquisition, the dynamic properties of the deformable mirror based AO and the nature of the optical optimization. To realize the above, academic experts in the area of advanced microscopy (Molecular Biophysics group at UU), adaptive optics (Experimental Astrophysics group at UU) and advanced control systems (Delft Center for Systems and Control) will closely collaborate. The team is further strengthened by the involvement of relevant industrial partners.

The method will be validated in tissue imaging experiments including in-vivo imaging of skin, in-vivo tumour mouse models and study of isolated arteries and plaque formation. The latter part of the project will be carried out in collaboration with several (bio)medical groups.

For the validation of the adaptive optics on tissues we are looking for a Postdoc or PhD researcher.

Qualifications:

We are looking for a candidate (f/m) with experience in experimental (bio)physics, medical biology or related topics. Experience and/or interest in optical techniques, fluorescence spectroscopy, microscopy and the biological aspects of the work are required. Furthermore, good communicative skills are expected.

Terms of employment:

The candidate is offered a full-time position. Salary is in the range between € 2,042.- and € 2,612.- per month for the PhD position and between € 2,861.- and € 3,755.- per month for the Postdoctoral fellow.

The salary is supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and an end-of-year bonus of 8,3% per year. In addition we offer: a pension scheme, a partially paid parental leave, flexible employment conditions. Conditions are based on the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities. The research group will provide the candidate with necessary support on all aspects of the project.

How to apply:

Please send your application (including a letter of motivation, curriculum vitae and contact details of at least two references) before 18 June 2010 to e-mail: Science.PenO@uu.nl

For further information:

Scholarship Tags: Adaptive, imaging, in tissue, Netherlands, Optics, Postdoctoral, University, Utrecht, validating