"PhD Position in Ultra-High Speed Computational Optical Coherence Tomography"

Job Summary

You will join an ambitious research project at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, carried out in close collaboration with ARCNL. The research focuses on computational imaging for biomedical applications, aiming to enhance resolution, boost imaging speed, reduce costs, and introduce innovative contrast mechanisms. This project aims to push the boundaries of optical coherence tomography (OCT) by breaking current acquisition speed records by an order of magnitude using full-field swept-source OCT, combined with sparse sampling and compressive sensing.

Responsibilities

• Building an experimental setup for full-field Fourier-domain OCT that enables high-speed data acquisition
• Characterizing diffusers, which are an essential part of this OCT setup
• Devising and implementing software and algorithms for image reconstruction
• Developing acquisition software to optimize data collection
• Reconstructing data and evaluating its accuracy and reliability
• Supervising exercise classes and Bachelor's and Master's students

As part of this position, you will have the opportunity to showcase findings at national and international conferences and in publications in relevant journals, and to explore your own ideas within the project's framework. The goal is to produce a dissertation leading to a PhD degree after 4 years.

Qualifications and Requirements

• A Master's degree (or equivalent) in physics, engineering, or a related field, preferably with a background in optics and imaging
• Proficiency in numerics and programming (Python, C/C++, Matlab), with a strong willingness to further develop these skills
• An enthusiastic interest in medicine and physiology, and curiosity to explore the applications of optics in these domains
• Effective communication skills in English, both spoken and written
• A passion for creative experimental work and a willingness to experiment with novel concepts and ideas

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate who thrives in an interdisciplinary environment, is an independent thinker with a passion for innovation and problem-solving. We value diversity and encourage applications even if not all requirements are met.

What the Employer Offers

A challenging position in a socially engaged organization with a fixed-term contract of 1 year, extendable to 4 years. Salary ranges from €2901 to €3707 gross per month in the fourth year for full-time employment. Additional benefits include 232 hours of holiday leave per year for a full-time 38-hour working week (or 96 extra hours if working 40 hours), 8% holiday allowance, 8.3% end-of-year bonus, contribution to commuting expenses, discounts on collective insurances, and optional personalized benefits package.