Job title: PhD position in In-Situ Optomechanical Breathomics
Fte: 1.0
VU unit: Faculty of Sciences
Vacancy number: 13406
Date of publication: October 30, 2014
Closing date: Vacancy will be online, until position is filled

VU University Amsterdam is one of the leading institutions for higher education in Europe and aims to be inspiring, innovative, and committed to societal welfare. It comprises twelve faculties and has teaching facilities for 25,000 students.

Research at the Faculty of Sciences focuses on the areas of Life & Health, Networked World, Fundamentals of Science, and Energy & Sustainability. The faculty’s teaching activities are directly linked to this excellent research. Cooperation with other faculties on the VU University Amsterdam campus generates attractive, high-quality Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes.
At international level, the faculty cooperates closely with leading scientific institutes and other partners.
In the context of the VU University Amsterdam management programme, the faculty is cooperating closely with the Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences to optimize the support of teaching and research. During the upcoming period, the faculty, together with the Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, will be facing the challenge of how to further flesh out cooperation between VU University Amsterdam’s science faculties and those of the University of Amsterdam.

Research at the Biophotonics and Medical Imaging group is focused on the development of new measurement techniques for a better understanding of human life sciences.

In this context, our group is about to launch a pioneering research campaign to investigate whether, combining using state-of-the-art micromaching with optical fiber remote sensing, it is possible to develop miniaturized photoacoustic spectrometer that can fit at the end of an endoscope. As a final application, we expect to test whether this new tool could be used to make a local analysis of the composition of the gases produced inside the lungs. This activity strongly relies on the pioneering work of our group on optomechanical micromachined devices and will be carried out in close collaboration with different groups of the VU Medical Centre of Amsterdam.

Tasks

• Develop an optimechanical fiber-top or ferrule-top probe for photoacoustic spectrometry;
• Integrate the new probe in an endoscope;
• Test the new instrument as a tool for the detection of gas traces in the lungs.

Requirements

Candidates who would like to apply must have the following requirements/skills:

• MSc in physics, medical sciences, or engineering with proven experience in laboratory research;
• Ability to work in group as well in carrying out individual work;
• Ability to clearly present complex ideas and technical concepts to scientists from different fields and to non-expert;
• Academic writing skills sufficient to independently write, with some feedback, a research paper;
• Good knowledge of the English language;

Candidates with also the following skills are warmly invited to apply:

• Basic knowledge of LabView;
• Experience with gas analysis techniques (preferably photoacoustic spectrometry);
• Experience with optical fiber technology, and/or;
• Experience with MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS).

Further details

The appointment will be initially for 1 year. After satisfactory evaluation of the initial appointment, it can be extended for a total duration of 4 years. You can find information about our excellent fringe benefits of employment at www.workingatvu.nl like:

• remuneration of 8,3% end-of-year bonus and 8% holiday allowance
• solid pension scheme (ABP);
• a minimum of 29 holidays in case of full-time employment;
• generous contribution (70%) commuting allowance based on public transport.

Salary

The salary will be in accordance with university regulations for academic personnel, and amounts € 2083,00 gross per month in the first year up to € 2664,00 in the fourth year (salary scale 85) based on a full-time employment.

Information

For additional information please contact:
Prof. Dr. D. Iannuzzi
e-mail: d.iannuzzi<στο>vu.nl
website: www.nat.vu.nl/CondMat/iannuzzi/

Application

Applicants are requested to write a short letter (maximum one page) in which they describe their abilities and motivation, accompanied by a curriculum vitae and two references (names and e-mail addresses).

Application are accepted via email only. Please, send your application (please mention the vacancy number in the e-mail header) to: vacature.few<στο>vu.nl

Any other correspondence in response to this advertisement will not be dealt with.