Postdoctoral scholarship (2 Years) within Optical Metrology: Exploring Polarization Analysis and Simulation for Particle Detection

Postdoctoral scholarship (2 Years) within Optical Metrology: Exploring Polarization Analysis and Simulation for Particle Detection

The Department of Applied Physics and Electronics is offering a postdoctoral scholarship funded by the Kempe Foundations within project optical metrology. The scholarship is full-time for two years with access 1 December, 2024, or by agreement. The application deadline is November 4th, 2024.

The scholarship is for two (2) years and is funded by the Kempe Foundations. The tax-free scholarship amounts to 700 000 SEK in total (350 000 SEK annual average) and is usually paid out as four separate payments during scholarship period.

Project description  
In this project, we focus on detection through optical metrology, polarization analysis, and simulation. Tackling the urgent issue of microplastic pollution in water systems, we aim to leverage advanced techniques, including optical metrology, holographic imaging and artificial intelligence, to enhance real-time detection and classification of microplastic particles. This research contributes to a better understanding of their impact on aquatic environments.

The project is a national collaboration between Umeå University, Luleå University of Technology and Mälardalen University. The successful applicant will be given the opportunity to develop independent research ideas within the scope of the project.

Qualifications  
The post-doctoral fellow is required to have completed a doctoral degree or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree. This qualification requirement must be fulfilled no later than at the time of the decision about scholarship recipient. 

Priority should be given to candidates who completed their doctoral degree, according to what is stipulated in the paragraph above, no later than three years prior. If there are special reasons, candidates who completed their doctoral degree before that may also be eligible. Special reasons include absence due to illness, parental leave, appointments of trust in trade union organizations, military service, or similar circumstances, or other forms of appointment/assignment relevant to the subject area.

You have a doctoral degree in Electrical, Optical,  Mechanical or Medical Engineering, Engineering Physics or other closely related fields.

Additionally, candidates should possess fundamental knowledge of optics principles, simulation of optical phenomena, imaging systems, digital holography, polarization analysis, MATLAB and simulations, signal and image processing, and Fourier transform. Previous experience in any of the above areas, as well as machine learning and classifiers such as Support Vector Machines (SVM), will be strongly considered as a merit.

High qualification in research, including publishing in journals and international conferences, is also considered a merit. An ability to effectively collaborate with others to develop new scientific understanding and a good level of English are required.

Application  
A full application should include:
1. Cover letter in which you describe your qualifications , previous research experience and motivation for your application, max 2 pages;
2. Curriculum vitae (CV) with publication list;
3. Verified copy of doctoral degree certificate or documentation that clarifies when the degree of doctor is expected to be obtained;
4. Verified copies of other diplomas, list of completed academic courses and grades;
5. Copy of doctoral thesis and 5 relevant publications;
6. Other documents that the applicant wishes to claim,

References will be requested prior to a potential interview.

The application should be written in English or Swedish, and attached documents should be in Word or PDF format. The application should be registered via Umeå University’s e-recruitment system Varbi and submitted by the deadline November 4th , 2024.

Further information
For more information, please contact Professor Thomas Olofsson at the Department of Applied Physics and Electronics or Associate Professor Davood Khodadad.

We look forward to receiving your application.