PhD Position High-speed Single-molecule Super-resolution Microscopy with Neuromorphic Vision Sensors

Interested in ultrafast single-molecule super-resolution bioimaging, novel sensors and image analysis? Curious about interdisciplinary biophysics research? We are looking for you!

PhD Position: High-speed Single-molecule Super-resolution Microscopy with Neuromorphic Vision Sensors

Job description

Super-resolution and single-molecule microscopy play a crucial role in understanding nanoscale organization in cells. However, there is a detrimental trade-off between resolution and imaging speed, and super-resolution microscopy excels only in fixed, lifeless cells.

Neuromorphic vision sensors “see” at the molecular level when something is moving or changing - like the human eye. By recording logarithmic intensity changes per pixel (events) asynchronously instead of conventional camera frames, they are extremely fast, data efficient and have a wide dynamic range.

The candidate will investigate these high-speed event-based cameras and integrate them for next-level stochastic single-molecule microscopy in (living) cells. The work includes responsibility for a microscope setup and integration of the cameras into data acquisition workflows as well as development of corresponding new data analysis strategies. Experiments with controlled in vitro samples and live cells are facilitated by an established toolbox of advanced labeling in the lab and available cell culture/cell biology technician support.

The position is in the group of Dr. Kristin Grussmayer in the Department of Bionanoscience and the Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft as part of a team working on “Neuromorphic vision sensors for single-molecule bioimaging”. We are an experimental biophysics lab employing super-resolution imaging techniques and fast 3D microscopy to improve understanding of cellular structures at the nanometer scale. As a young research group, we offer an interactive, supportive and collegial environment. We perform multidisciplinary research where we combine techniques from molecular/cell biology, (physical/bio) chemistry, (bio)physics, optics and machine learning. To ensure interactions and exchange of ideas, we have regular group and department meetings as well as meetings with the experimental and computational groups we collaborate with.

Job requirements

We seek an outstanding (bio)physicist with a strong affinity for research at the interface of physics, biology/biochemistry and computer science and with relevant research experience in fields such as optics/microscopy, programming, molecular or cell biophysics. We are looking for a candidate with a high level of intellectual creativity, genuine interest in fundamental research, who enjoys collaborations and easily communicates with scientists from different disciplines.

Applicants must

• Hold a Master’s degree, or approach its completion, in physics, mathematics, nanobiology, chemistry, or a closely related discipline.
• Have excellent written and spoken English skills.
• Thrive in an international, ambitious, multidisciplinary, and highly collaborative environment.
• Have affinity with (3D/super-resolution/single-molecule) microscopy, Python and quantitative data analysis.

Conditions of employment

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts: an initial 1.5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months, followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2.5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.