Postdoctoral position in Biomedical Optics

The Centre for Microsystems Technology at Ghent University - imec CMST Research Group

Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 8,000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, as well as technical and social service provision on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities. With its 11 faculties and more than 80 departments offering state-of-the-art study programmes grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its staff and students.

You will become part of the Centre for Microsystems Technology, a research group which is located at Ghent University, and associated to imec, an R&D hub for nano- and digital technologies. The CMST group is specializing in packaging & integration technology for electronic and photonic integrated circuits, allowing for novel smart microsystem applications, like for example low-cost biosensors for use at the point-of-care, sensors for the detection of contaminants in water based on mid-infrared absorption spectroscopy, or miniature sensors for aerospace composites manufacturing. 

What you will do 

Be responsible for the execution of a research and innovation project, in which you will solve problems independently but also collaborate with colleagues and work in a team.

Technical content:

• Main: Optical system design and development: develop novel optical devices for use in diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive use cases, based on photoacoustics, absorption spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering. 
• Main: Optical instrumentation: construct optical setups on breadboard and perform relevant testing. 
• Minor: Optics and photonics fabrication: develop new optical components in a state-of-the-art university cleanroom environment, specifically the realization of 3D structures in glass using femtosecond laser direct writing. 
• Minor: Photonics packaging and integration: steer the cleanroom supporting staff in the development of relevant assembly and integration technologies.
• Minor: A limited amount of simulations (optical simulations, Comsol Multiphysics).

Collaborate closely with clinician partners and work with industry partners towards commercialization and translation of optical technologies developed in the lab.

What we do for you 

• We offer you a UGent  contract of definite duration for the period of 2 years.
• Your contract will start on 1/01/2021 at the earliest.
• Your remuneration will be determined by salary scale PD1 to PD4. Click here for more information about our salary scales.
• All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 35 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits (in Dutch).

Who you are 

• You hold a thesis-based doctorate in Engineering (Biomedical/Electrical/Photonics/Physics). 
• You are interested in innovating medical technologies for clinical translation and commercialization.
• You are interested in practical work, especially linked with instrumentation, experimental setups and cleanroom fabrication technologies.
• You have excellent communication skills in English, both orally and written.
• You have extensive experience with the abovementioned optical sensing technologies and instrumentation.
• Hands-on experience with various microfabrication cleanroom technologies is a strong plus.
• Hands-on experience with characterization tools (microscope, SEM, optical profiler, ...) and functional optical characterization is a plus.
• You have good knowledge of optics and photonics.
• You like to work in (interdisciplinary) research projects and you have the ability to discuss and communicate your work with people of different backgrounds.
• You are a motivated person, with a strong curiosity and a genuine wish to learn more and develop your skills and knowledge further. 
• You take responsibility for the managing and execution of your project in a well-structured, thorough way, both by solving problems independently and by instructing and collaborating with others.
• You are able to work in a team.

Interested? 

Apply online through the UGent e-recruitment system before the application deadline 15/11/2021 23:59 (Brussels Time). https://www.ugent.be/en/work/research-staff (vacature 20964) 
We do not accept late applications or applications that are not submitted through the online system.

Your application must include the following documents:

• In the field ‘CV’: your CV and an overview of your study results (merged into one pdf file)
• In the field ‘Cover letter’: your application letter in pdf format
• In the field ‘Diploma’: a transcript of the required degree (if already in your possession). If you have a foreign diploma in a language other than our national languages (Dutch, French or German) or English, please add a translation in one of the mentioned languages.
• In the field “other documents”: a reference letter, an overview of your study results,  … 

Note that the maximum file size for each field is 10 MB.

As Ghent University maintains an equal opportunities and diversity policy, everyone is encouraged to apply for this position.

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Geert Van Steenberge (geert.vansteenberge@ugent.be, +32(0)9/2645560) and Prof. Jeroen Missinne (jeroen.missinne@ugent.be, +32(0)9/2645621). Important: do NOT send your application by email, but apply online.