We are looking for a PhD candidate who will contribute to the development of the imaging system, processing algorithms, and the data analysis of in vivo human data. The research will be conducted at the VU in Amsterdam. The candidate will be part of a recently started laboratory in the Biophotonics and medical imaging group that will expand throughout the PhD. The lab will collaborate with other laboratories of the Biophotonics group at the VU and with international partners.

Your duties

• conceive, set up, and align (holographic) imaging systems, among others for imaging of living human eyes
• devise and implement software and algorithms for data acquisition, reconstruction, and functional data extraction
• acquire and evaluate data

You will present your results at national and international conferences and publish them in relevant journals. You will have the opportunity to come up and follow your own ideas and directions within the framework of the projects. The successful candidate is expected to write a dissertation leading to a PhD degree towards the end of the 4-year project

• master's degree or equivalent in (applied) physics, engineering, or a related field, with a strong interest and ideally experience in optics
• experience with numerics and programming in either Python, C/C++, or Matlab and the motivation to learn in this area
• an interest in medicine, physiology, and biology and the applications of optics in these fields
• communication skills in English, both verbally and in writing
• enjoy working creatively and trying out new concepts and ideas

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

A challenging position in a socially involved organization. The salary will be in accordance with university regulations for academic personnel and amounts €2,434 (PhD) per month during the first year and increases to €3,111 (PhD) per month during the fourth year, based on full-time employment. The job profile is based on the university job ranking system and is vacant for at least 0.8 FTE.

The initial employment will be for a period of 1 year. After a satisfactory evaluation of the initial appointment, the contract will be extended for a total duration of 4 years.

Additionally, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers excellent fringe benefits and various schemes and regulations to promote a good work/life balance, such as:

• a maximum of 41 days of annual leave based on full-time employment
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• solid pension scheme (ABP)
• a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge
• contribution to commuting expenses

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

The ambition of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is clear: to contribute to a better world through outstanding education and ground-breaking research. We strive to be a university where personal development and commitment to society play a leading role. A university where people from different disciplines and backgrounds collaborate to achieve innovations and to generate new knowledge. Our teaching and research encompass the entire spectrum of academic endeavor - from the humanities, the social sciences and the natural sciences through to the life sciences and the medical sciences.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is home to more than 26,000 students. We employ over 4,600 individuals. The VU campus is easily accessible and located in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas district, a truly inspiring environment for teaching and research.

Diversity
We are an inclusive university community. Diversity is one of our most important values. We believe that engaging in international activities and welcoming students and staff from a wide variety of backgrounds enhances the quality of our education and research. We are always looking for people who can enrich our world with their own unique perspectives and experiences.

The Faculty of Science
The Faculty of Science inspires researchers and students to find sustainable solutions for complex societal issues. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to medicines and from molecules to the moon: our teaching and research programmes cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. We share knowledge and experience with leading research institutes and industries, both here in the Netherlands and abroad.

Working at the Faculty of Science means working with students, PhD candidates and researchers, all with a clear focus on their field and a broad view of the world. We employ more than 1,250 staff members, and we are home to around 6,000 students.

About the Department of Physics and Astronomy
The Department of Physics and Astronomy at VU Amsterdam offers an active and engaged intellectual community composed of researchers from around the world. Research is focused on four themes: (i) high-energy and gravitational physics, (ii) quantum metrology and laser applications, (iii) physics of life and health, and (iv) physics of photosynthesis and energy. The department is involved in teaching in the programs Physics and Astronomy (joint degree with the University of Amsterdam), Science Business and Innovation, Medical Natural Sciences (all three BSc and MSc), and the BSc program in Mechanical Engineering (together with the University of Twente). Furthermore, the department has a strong track record in the valorization of its research, including translational research to the clinic (often together with the Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc (on campus), and location AMC), collaborations with industry (e.g. ARCNL), and a thriving startup scene.