The Faculty of Science and the Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science (LIACS) are looking for a:

PhD Candidate, Real-Time Quality Enhancement of Reconstructed X-Ray Scattering Data

Vacancy number: 23-059

Your PhD project will be part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action Doctoral Network (MSCA DN) “Real-time characterization of anisotropic carbon-based technological fibres, films and composites” (RELIANCE). The network is concerned with R&D and training in X-ray imaging and scattering tools and its applications in materials and information science, offering in total 14 PhD positions.

The main goal of your PhD project will be to develop novel algorithms for real-time quality enhancement of X-ray scattering data, using a combination of tomographic imaging and machine-learning based techniques.

This project is a great opportunity if you want to do a PhD that gives you a combination of experiences in academic research and industry. You will work with peers across countries in Europe on cutting-edge research and its applications, carry out secondments in academia and industry, and participate in diverse trainings and workshops.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct original and novel research in the field of Computational Imaging and Machine Learning;
• Publish and present scientific articles at international journals and conferences;
• Contribute to educational activities;
• Write a dissertation;
• Engage in collaborations with colleagues across domains.

• A MSc degree in Computer science, Applied Mathematics, AI, or a related field;
• Good knowledge of and experienced with machine learning;
• Good knowledge of and experienced with Image processing techniques;
• Highly motivated to both perform foundational research and apply the developed methods to real-world problems;
• Creative, ‘making things work’ mentality, independent and communicative team player;
• Experienced with writing scientific manuscripts and good academic writing skills;
• Excellent programming skills (preferably C++ and/or Python);
• Interested in participating in educational activities;
• Excellent proficiency in English (oral and written).

Terms and conditions 

We offer a full-time appointment of initially one year. After a positive evaluation of the progress of the research, teaching evaluations, personal capabilities and compatibility, the appointment will be extended for another three years. The salary will be in pay scale P in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities) and in accordance with the allowance model of the MSCA Doctoral Networks (see the table on page 81 for details), subject to national taxation and social contributions.

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3%), training and career development and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break.

All our PhD students are embedded in the Leiden University Graduate School of Science https://www.graduateschools.leidenuniv.nl. Our graduate school offers several PhD training courses at three levels: professional courses, skills training and personal effectiveness. In addition, advanced courses to deepen scientific knowledge are offered by the research school.

Candidates for this position must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in The Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date.

Research at our faculty

The Faculty of Science is a world-class faculty where staff and students work together in a dynamic international environment. It is a faculty where personal and academic development are top priorities. Our people are committed to expand fundamental knowledge by curiosity and to look beyond the borders of their own discipline; their aim is to benefit science, and to make a contribution to addressing the major societal challenges of the future.

The research carried out at the Faculty of Science is very diverse, ranging from mathematics, information science, astronomy, physics, chemistry and bio-pharmaceutical sciences to biology and environmental sciences. The research activities are organised in eight institutes. These institutes offer eight bachelor’s and twelve master’s programmes. The faculty has grown strongly in recent years and now has more than 2.300 staff and almost 5,000 students. We are located at the heart of Leiden’s Bio Science Park, one of Europe’s biggest science parks, where university and business life come together.

For more information, see  https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/science  and  https://workingat.leiden.edu/