PhD position: Ultrafast infrared microscopy for applications in biophotonics

You will develop a novel infrared microscope enabled by femtosecond pulses in the context of a recently awarded ERC grant (PIRO). The envisioned platform combines ultrashort infrared pulses with visible read out: you will develop it and tailor-make the necessary light sources based on a high-power Yb-laser. Once operational, your phototransient microscope will unlock thus far unavailable imaging capabilities: it will enable high-throughput vibrational imaging with sub-diffraction limited spatial resolution. Together, we will then capitalize on this technological advantage to address unmet challenges in biophotonics: from heat-transport in biological matter to antibiotic resistance in bacteria.

Your duties

• develop femtosecond infrared light sources based on a high-intensity Yb-amplifier
• implement the infrared-pump visible-probe based imaging scheme
• apply the platform to answer exciting questions in biophotonics
• support our team with the measurement of biological and biomedical samples
• writing a PhD thesis

A challenging project with the opportunity to directly work with the PI in a recently formed research group in a socially involved organization. The salary will be in accordance with university regulations for academic personnel and amounts €2,541 (PhD) per month during the first year and increases to €3,247 (PhD) per month during the fourth year, based on a full-time employment. The job profile 'Promovendus' is based on the university job ranking system and is vacant for 1 FTE.

The appointment will initially be for 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,
• a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge, optional model for designing a personalized benefits package

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 30,000 students. We employ over 5,500 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
Working at the Faculty of Science means working together with students, PhD candidates and scientists who are focused on their discipline, yet also have a broad view of the world. We are proud of the collegial working environment within the faculty, which is characterised by an ambitious and pragmatic attitude with commitment to the bigger picture. At the Faculty of Science, scientists and students work on fundamental and complex social issues for a sustainable and healthy future. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, from genetics to pharmaceuticals and from molecules to the moon: our teaching and research cover the full breadth of the natural sciences. Scientific teaching and research is highly experimental, technical, computational and interdisciplinary in nature. This is why we collaborate extensively with leading research institutes and industry. The faculty has over 11,000 students studying across 40 educational programmes and employs over 1,600 staff spread over 10 scientific departments, making us the largest science faculty in the Netherlands.