The project

At the Biomedical Photonic Imaging group of the University of Twente, a team led by dr. Ivo Vellekoop is developing radically new approaches to microscopy. Our aim is to obtain sharp images of structures deep inside the brain or far under the skin.

Materials like skin or brain tissue are non-homogeneous and scatter light randomly, thereby limiting the maximum penetration depth of existing microscopes. At the University of Twente, we pioneered a technique called 'complex wavefront shaping' that allows one to construct a highly structured light wave that focuses deep inside scattering tissue.

Your job will be to combine wavefront shaping with two-photon absorption excitation microscopy for imaging at unprecedented depths inside scattering tissue. Your work will combine optical experiments with simulation, algorithm design, and scattering theory.

Our team

Our multidisciplinary team consists of physicists, electrical and biomedical engineers, and biologists. As pioneers of the field, we work on the forefront of complex wavefront shaping and collaborate closely with other leading groups around the globe. We offer a very open, dynamic, and collaborative work environment.

The organization

You will work in the Biomedical Photonic Imaging research group of the TechMed Center of the University of Twente. We are the only campus university in the Netherlands; divided over six faculties we provide more than fifty educational programmes. We stand for research and new technology that drives progress in society. High tech and human touch. The university has a strong focus on personal development and talented researchers are given the opportunity for carrying out pioneering research.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability status.

What will you do?

In this project you will:

• Develop new approaches for combining wavefront shaping or computational imaging with two-photon microscopy, and demonstrate these approaches experimentally.
• Supervise PhD, MSc and BSc students.
• Develop your own ideas and perform proof-of-concept optical experiments.
• Publish your work in leading journals and present at top conferences.

Are you interested in taking up this challenge?

• You are a skilled optical experimentalist, ideally with experience in the field of wavefront shaping or computational imaging.
• You have a deep physical and mathematical understanding of light propagation.
• You have a demonstrated capacity for developing new ideas and writing excellent papers.
• You are experienced in scientific programming: proficient in MATLAB, Mathematica, Python, C++ or other language.
• You like to work in an inspiring, multi-disciplinary team. You are able to bridge the gap between complex mathematical concepts and laboratory experiments.

Information and application

Do you want to help us to revolutionize microscopy? Please upload your application, including a letter of motivation, CV, a copy of your PhD thesis and your publications, and names/contact information of 2 or more references to www.utwente.nl/vacatures/en as soon as possible, but not after 1 May 2018. An interview and presentation will be part of the selection procedure. Please motivate your interest and fitness for this specific project. Applications with non-specific motivation letters are not taken into consideration. Funding for this project was obtained from the European Research Council.

For more information you can contact dr. ir. Ivo M. Vellekoop i.m.vellekoop@utwente.nl. You can find more information about the group and about our research at

https://www.utwente.nl/tnw/bmpi/research/wavefront-shaping/

In accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, the gross salary for a postdoctoral researcher increases from € 2.588 per month in the first year to € 4.084,- the last year, plus a holiday allowance (8%), and end-year bonus (8,3%) of the annual salary. The assignment is for two years. The University of Twente provides excellent campus facilities, and actively supports your professional and personal development.

The University of Twente. We stand for life sciences and technology. High tech and human touch. Education and research that matter. New technology which leads change, innovation and progress in society. The University of Twente is the only campus university of the Netherlands; divided over five faculties we provide more than fifty educational programmes. We have a strong focus on personal development and talented researchers are given scope for carrying out groundbreaking research.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status. Because of our diversity values we do particularly support women to apply.

Within the TNW Faculty (Faculty of Science & Technology) of the University of Twente some 700 staff members and 2000 students are involved in training and research on the interface of chemical technology, applied physics and biomedical technology. Fields of application include sustainable energy, process technology and materials science, nanotechnology and technical medicine. Research, which enjoys a high profile both at home and internationally, has been accommodated in the multidisciplinary research institutes MESA+ and MIRA. The faculty works together intensively with industrial partners and researchers in the Netherlands and abroad and conducts extensive research for external commissioning parties and funders.