The Department of Physics and Astronomy at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU; http://www.nat.vu.nl/en) invites applications from researchers in experimental physics for a faculty position at the level of associate professor, with the possibility to be promoted to full professor in the future, when criteria are met. The successful candidate will join the Department and will be embedded in the Section Biophotonics and Medical Imaging, which consists of 6 faculty members. Candidates are expected to have developed an independent, externally funded research program and to have fostered collaborations on a local and international level, and have the ambition to further expand their research portfolio. In principle, we are looking for candidates at the associate professor level. Exceptional candidates at the assistant or full professor level will also be considered. Responsibilities also include teaching at the B.Sc. and M.Sc. levels.
Research topic Biophotonics and Medical Imaging
Given the aging population, there is an increasing need for more, better, more cost-effective and personalized medical care. Photonics is a key technology that is already frequently used in diagnosis and therapy but has an even larger potential because of its relatively low cost, potential for high resolution, throughput, speed and minimal invasiveness. VU physics has a thriving research focus in this area, with strong connections to the Amsterdam University Medical Center (Amsterdam UMC) on the same campus. The current focus is on optical coherence tomography, non-linear imaging, Raman microscopy,
in situ imaging using catheters, integrated optics and applications thereof in biomedical research and the clinic. The research group has particular experience and success in bringing their discoveries to the clinic.
We are looking for a candidate who could bring a research line in experimental physics, concentrating on the development of optical tools for biological and medical applications. Ideally, the research line should not only connect to the current focus areas, but also pursue new directions, introducing new technologies and methods. Potential new directions might include but are not restricted to wave-front shaping and adaptive optics, photo-acoustics, tissue elastography, spectroscopic imaging, endoscopy, imaging through (multimode) fibers, lensless imaging, computational imaging, or use of artificial intelligence for image analysis and interpretation.
Your duties
- Bring in and further develop an independent research program
- Teach in Bachelor and Master programs
- Supervise MSc and PhD students
- Contribute to and write research grant proposals
- Contribute to management tasks in the department and play a major role in further developing the strategy for biophotonics at the Department Physics and Astronomy.