Postdoctoral fellowship in DUV-based nano(bio)sensing

All-optical nanosizing and sensing has traditionally relied on particle-scattering techniques, which infer nanoparticle characteristics. While effective, these methods lack the ability to measure molecular composition, making it impossible to distinguish target analytes from contaminants, a serious limitation.

Unlocking molecular-level information at the nanoscale would enable accurate, label-free sensing in complex biomedical samples, thus transforming current approaches. To give a few examples, molecularly resolved nanoscopy would allow us to quantify drug loading in nanomedicines, measure nucleic acids in viruses, and monitor nanocatalyst turnover.

During this 30-month postdoctoral fellowship, you will provide the technology: all-optical, label-free single-particle nanoscopy in the DUV, in direct resonance with electronic transitions.This innovative approach will offer analyte-specific insights and significantly boost signal levels. The clear and ambitious goal is to deliver technologies that not only surpass current gold-standard methods but also enable measurements that were previously unattainable.

Beyond proof-of-concept demonstrations, the project aims to establish DUV-based nanosizing as a viable, adaptable methodology. To achieve this, we will develop low-cost hyperspectral DUV imaging approaches combining holographic imaging with Fourier transform methods, enabled by a broadly tunable DUV light source.

With the support of our interdisciplinary team, you will take a leading role in this ambitious project and:

• Develop DUV nanosizing and imaging methods with ultimate sensitivity and accuracy.
• Create holographic imaging and advanced image-correction algorithms.
• Develop and operate a simple tunable DUV light source based on a high-intensity femtosecond amplifier.
• Apply your holographic DUV microscope to solve key challenges in label-free biomedical nanoscopy.
• Facilitate the transition of DUV-based technologies into widely usable and accessible platforms.
• Explore and implement biomolecularly resolved nanosizing technologies.

Requirements:

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in experimental nanophotonics, all-optical sensing or label-free microscopy.

• PhD degree in Chemistry, Physics or Nanotechnology.
• Hand-on experience with advanced experimental optics is a must.
• Experience with microscopy beyond operating commercial microscopes is desirable.
• Experience with label-free or holographic imaging/sensing of single nano-objects is a bonus.
• Experience with nonlinear optics, spectroscopy or DUV is a bonus.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Excited about interdisciplinary research as part of multidisciplinary and diverse team
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaboratively work with other researchers
• Eager to learn and apply new skills

Salary Benefits:

A fully funded one year postdoctoral fellowship with ample room for personal development in a socially engaged organisation. We offer:

• A salary of minimum € 3.345,00 (Scale 10) and maximum € 4.185,00 (Scale 10.5) 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.
• The appointment will initially be for 1 year. Subject to a positive evaluation, the contract will be extended for a total duration of 30 months.
• Plenty of room to acquire new skills to develop a highly-competitive research portfolio.

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
• contribution to commuting expenses
• space for personal development
• a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge

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