Postdoc

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will be responsible for the design, fabrication, and characterization of photonic microcircuits used to stimulate biological neurons cultured on top of them. You will develop and optimize these integrated photonic devices, ensuring their precision and functionality for neural stimulation. Additionally, you will collaborate with neuroscientists to implement these microcircuits in experimental settings and actively participate in neuron experiments, bridging photonics and neuroscience to advance neurotechnology.

Your duties

• design, fabrication and characterization of photonic microcircuits,
• participating neuroscience experiments,
• optimizing the design and reiterate all above if needed.

Requirements:

• We are looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher with a strong background in photonic integrated circuits and their application in biology (in particular but not compulsory in neuroscience).
  
  Requirements:
• Completed PhD in photonics, integrated optics, physics, or a related field
• At least two/three years of experience in designing and fabricating photonic microcircuits
• Hands-on expertise in optical characterization and microfabrication techniques
• Creative and bold individual who isn’t afraid to take risks and push boundaries in pursuit of innovative solutions
• Experience in interdisciplinary research, particularly at the interface of photonics and neuroscience
• Strong collaboration and communication skills to work effectively with neuroscientists and engineers

We highly value diversity and inclusion and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply, even if they do not meet every requirement. If you are excited about bridging photonics and neuroscience to develop next-generation neurotechnologies, we look forward to your application!

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

Salary Benefits:

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

• a salary of minimum € 3.378,00 (Scale 10) and maximum € 5.331,00 (Scale 10) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile Researcher 4. The exact salary depends on your education and experience.
• a position for at least 0.8 FTE. Your employment contract will initially last 1 year. Afterwards, the possibility of expansion exists.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:

• A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• discounts on collective insurances (healthcare- and car insurance);
• contribution to commuting expenses
• optional model for designing a personalized benefits package

De Boelelaan 1100