PhD candidate at the LPI in Jena bei Leibniz Institut für Photonische Technologien e V

PhD candidate at the LPI (f/m/d) in Jena bei Leibniz Institut für Photonische Technologien e V

Leibniz-Institut für Photonische Technologien e.V.

The Leibniz Centre for Photonics in Infection Research (LPI, http://lpi-jena.de) is a project of the National Roadmap for Research Infrastructures of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). As one of the supporting institutions of the LPI, the Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technologies (Leibniz-IPHT, https://www.leibniz-ipht.de/) is looking to recruit a

PhD candidate

for 3 years part time (65 %). An extension might be discussed if suitable.

The LPI is being established by a consortium of four supporting institutions (Leibniz-HKI, Leibniz-IPHT, FSU Jena, Universitätsklinikum Jena) In future, it will combine photonic technologies with infection research and thus contribute to the development of new methods for diagnosis, monitoring and therapy for human medicine. Research results will be transferred to clinical practice along the entire value chain. The LPI's research program is divided into basic technologies, in which the four supporting institutions jointly address various scientific and technological focal points in an interdisciplinary approach. As a user-open translational infrastructure, LPI makes newly developed demonstrators and methods available to external partners within the framework of joint projects.

The open PhD position is available for realization and testing of an optomechanical hybrid sectioning 3D microscope for large tissue samples [1] with low transparency and in-homogeneous physical properties.

Your tasks:

Research and implementation of a 3D microscope based on optical sectioning and mechanical sectioning methods for large biological samples using fluorescence and structured illumination (SIM) [2]
Design, set up and application of a demonstrator including optics, electronics and control and reconstruction software
Experiments with other modalities such as Raman spectroscopy [3] and FLIM
Research and demonstration of the measurement principle for biomedical samples
Definition of preparation and measurement protocols for tissues

Your qualification:

Master’s degree in physics, applied physics, photonics, optical engineering, physical chemistry or comparable disciplines

We expect:

Very good knowledge and interest in optical microscopy and spectroscopy methods as well as basic optical system design
Knowledge in data analysis and image processing using Python, R, Matlab, Fiji
Experience in preparation of tissue samples (staining and embedding) and knowledge of histology and histopathology are advantageous
High motivation to work in an interdisciplinary and international team
Very good written and oral communications skills in English
German language skills are an advantage in our team

We offer:

Your highly relevant contribution to a globally unique infrastructure: The LPI will be a globally unique infrastructure for the development of market-ready solutions: LPI bridges the gap from application research to marketable products. You will be part of the initiation team to build up the infrastructure.
Thorough and comprehensive personal training: Teaching good practices in scientific work and public relations is one of our main focuses. We will teach everything needed for a career inside and outside science in a respectful and enjoyable way. In addition, the Leibniz IPHT, the Abbe School of Photonics and the Graduate Academy of the Friedrich Schiller University Jena offer numerous workshops and opportunities for scientific exchange.
A family-friendly working environment with a variety of offers for families: parent-child room, campus kindergarten places, family events, advice on family care situations from trained care guides and much more)
Flexible working time models, 30 days vacation/year, special annual payment, bridging days
Jena - City of Science: A young and lively town with a vibrant local cultural agenda!

Salary:

The employment contract is concluded with Leibniz IPHT, salary is in accordance with the regulations of the TV-L.

About us:

We are a modern, internationally oriented research institute. The compatibility of work and family is one of our central concerns. We value diversity and therefore welcome all applications - regardless of gender, disability, nationality or ethnic and social background. If women are underrepresented in the area of the advertised position, they will be given preferential consideration if they are equally qualified.