Background: Optical sensing for healthcare and agrofood

Sensors measure physical, chemical or biological parameters that are critical to humans and to the environment - for example to diagnose diseases or to monitor plant growth. In particular, light can be used to sense many important quantities non-invasively and optical sensing has become a very active research field. Our group has recently developed an integrated spectral sensor which uses nanophotonic detectors to measure the properties of materials from their spectrum. This technology is now being commercialized by our spin-off MantiSpectra. In the framework of a very large national photonics initiative, we intend to further develop this sensor technology and demonstrate its potential in the healthcare and agrofood application domains.

Project description

Several PhD studentships will be available starting from the spring 2023. The selected candidates will perform cutting-edge applied research in optical sensing. The available projects range from the design and fabrication of spectral sensors with greatly improved characteristics, to their application to the detection of molecular biomarkers for the diagnosis of diseases.

The projects will be supervised by Prof. A. Fiore, in collaboration with other research groups and companies active in the healthcare and agrofood areas. The PhD students will be integrated in a young, dynamic and highly collaborative team active in this area.

We welcome applications from candidates with a Master degree in physics or electrical engineering and with a background in optics or photonics. Candidates must show interest in experimental physics and demonstrate the drive and capacity to independently tackle different aspects of a problem while working in a team.

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate evaluation (go/no-go) after nine months. You will spend 10% of your employment on teaching tasks.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale 27.
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.