PhD student in the field of 3D tomography of nano-samples (Campus Drie Eiken)

University of Antwerp - Imec Vision Lab Research Group (Campus Drie Eiken), Belgium

The Vision Lab is a research group of the physics department at the University of Antwerp. The Vision Lab has unique expertise in the development of algorithms for reconstruction, processing and analysis of tomographic imaging data. Application domains are x-ray computed tomography (CT), MRI and electron tomography. The working environment is strongly interdisciplinary, combining techniques and insights from physics, mathematics, engineering, and computer science. The Vision Lab has a broad range of national and international collaborations with both academic and industrial partners. Recent publications on tomography can be found on http://visielab.uantwerpen.be/research/tomography.

What you will do

Imec-Vision Lab at the University of Antwerp (http://visielab.uantwerpen.be/) has an open position for a PhD researcher to strengthen our tomography research team with, for this position, a particular emphasis on Atom Probe Tomography (APT). Tomography is an image reconstruction technique that leans strongly on large-scale numerical mathematics and computational science. It has a wide range of applications in medicine (CT-scans), industry (nondestructive testing) and science (3D imaging of nanomaterials).

APT is a technique used to analyze the composition and structure of materials at the atomic scale. It uses a focused laser beam to selectively ionize atoms from a sample, which are then directed towards a detector for analysis. APT allows for three-dimensional imaging of materials, with sub-nanometer resolution. It is particularly useful for studying small features or regions within a material, such as interfaces or defects. The technique can be used to study a wide range of materials, including metals, ceramics, and semiconductors. APT can provide information on the location, composition, and chemical bonding of atoms within a material. It is a powerful tool for research in materials science and engineering, as well as in the development of new materials and technologies.

An important challenge in APT is the 3D reconstruction of a nanosample from measured data. In your PhD trajectory, you will develop a radically new method for the 3D atomic resolution reconstruction of atom probe data. The technique will be dedicated to the analysis of semiconductor samples in close collaboration with imec (https://www.imec-int.com/en/home) where atomic scale analysis of advanced semiconductor devices is pursued with Atom probe tomography.

What we do for you

• We offer a doctoral scholarship for a period of two years within a multidisciplinary, international team. Following a positive evaluation, the scholarship can be renewed for another two years.  
• Cooperation with strong academic research groups and industrial partners.
• Multidisciplinary research: close cooperation with imec where fundamentals and advanced application of  atom probe analysis are explored.
• A world-class research environment with state-of-the-art instrumentation and exposure to the foremost semiconducting devices.
• Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for doctoral scholarship holders on the pay scales for Contract Research Staff (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP). 
• You will receive ecocheques, Internet-connectivity allowance, and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.    
• You will do most of your work at UAntwerpen Campus Drie Eiken in a dynamic and stimulating working environment. 
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here. 

Who you are

• You hold a Master degree in Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or Engineering or you will have obtained it by the time you start to work.
• You have excellent communication skills in English.
• You have strong programming skills (C++, python/matlab).
• You can demonstrate excellent study results.
• Your teaching competences are in line with the University of Antwerp’s educational vision. 
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies. 
• You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation. 
• Knowledge of inverse problems, computational imaging, image reconstruction, or deep learning is a plus.

Interested?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including 28 February 2023 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on the 'Apply' button, complete the online application form and be sure to include the following attachments: a motivation letter, your academic CV (including courses, honours, grades, previous work, publications,…) and contact info of two references.
• The selection committee will review all of the applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision has been made, we will inform you about the next steps in the selection procedure. 
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to jobs@uantwerpen.be. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact Prof. Dr. J. De Beenhouwer (jan.debeenhouwer@uantwerpen.be) and Prof. Dr. J. Sijbers, (Jan.Sijbers@uantwerpen.be) in cc. As a subject, please put “HR2023APT”.
• Starting date: the planned start date is preferentially by 01/04/2023 or as soon as possible after that date.