Doctoral student in Physics with focus on developing methods for advanced imaging - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Unit for Combustion Physics conducts extensive operations with emphasis on the development of laser spectroscopic techniques. combustion processes, gasification, catalysis, nanometer structures and plasma production. In recent years, the unit has also established significant research activities in the field of biophotonics, with a strong focus on optical remote analysis techniques. The unit's operations have large contact areas within Lund University of Technology, with other universities and colleges, nationally and internationally, as well as with industry. The business has been conducted since 2001 in modern premises in the Enoch Thulin laboratory at the Department of Physics and currently close to 60 people work at the unit. 

Work duties
High resolution photography has become a standard diagnostic tool within research nowadays and modern camera sensors can have up to 50 million pixels. Unfortunately the full potential of these sensors are seldom exploited and so-called over-sampling (more pixels in the picture than the photograph requires) is common. An everyday example of this is photographs recorded with cellphone cameras, whose enormous number of pixels is not matched with sufficient optics. The intended work for the PhD student is focusing on further developing a novel coding methodology for advanced photography, in order to better exploit the sensors full capacity.

The method that will be further developed is called FRAME (Frequency Recognition Algorithm for Multiple Exposures) and 2017 we at the division of Combustion Physics succeeded in filming a light pulse propagating in space using FRAME at a frame rate of 5.000.000.000.000 frames per second. With FRAME, the image information is coded with periodic light-codes, allowing the user to record several pictures simultaneously within a single photograph. The aim of the position is to continue working on the FRAME concept by designing optical configurations that will allow for even more data to be stored within a single photograph.

FRAME is a young technique and much work is required before its full potential is understood. This involves both much experimental work but also much image analysis and mathematics since the decoding process is performed in the data post-processing.

For more information about FRAME, visit:
http://www.spray-imaging.com/frame.html

The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

Admission requirements
A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if he or she:

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

A person meets the specific admission requirements for third-cycle studies in Physics if he or she has:

• at least 30 second-cycle credits of relevance to the subject, of which at least 15 credits shall comprise a second-cycle degree project, or
• an MSc in engineering physics or an associated field, or a Master’s degree in physics or an associated field.

Finally, the student must be judged to have the potential to complete the programme.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Good theoretical and experimental knowledge within the fields of optics and lasers.
• Good knowledge of MATLAB or similar program languages (e.g. Python).

Other assessment criteria

• Experience in experimental laser diagnostics.
• Experience in optical design.

Basis of assessment
Selection to postgraduate studies is based on the expected ability to perform well in the studies. The evaluation of the ability to perform well is based primarily on the results of studies at the basic and advanced levels, in particular:

1. Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of the study.
2. An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems.
3. Written and oral communication skills
4. Other experience relevant to postgraduate studies, such as professional experience.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through his or her experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme.

Terms of employment
Only those admitted to third cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. A doctoral studentship is a fixed-term employment of a maximum of 5 years (including 20% departmental duties). Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

Instructions on how to apply
Applications may be written in English or Swedish and should include a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the position and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background. The application must also contain a CV, degree certificate or equivalent, a copy of the thesis or equivalent or a summary in case the work is not completed and other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.).

You are also required to answer the job specific questions as the first step of the application process.

The English version of this announcement is an interpretation of national formalities expressed in the Swedish text. In case of uncertainties, the Swedish text applies.