PhD Studentship in Biochemistry and Biophotonics

Biophotonics is a collaborative research theme at the Irish Photonic Integration Centre (IPIC) hosted by the Tyndall National Institute and the University College Cork and funded by the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI). The PhD project is focused on designing a customized optoelectronic system based on a new CMOS camera chip with Fluorescence Lifetime IMaging (FLIM) capabilities. The system will be initially configured for imaging tissue oxygenation using phosphorescent probes emitting in the microsecond time range. Subsequently it will be extended with capabilities of working with short-lived fluors (nanosecond FLIM). Work will involve design and fabrication of key optoelectronic modules, system integration, software development and testing with simple models and live biological samples (cells, excised tissue, animal models). Basic prototype imager has already been assembled, but requires further development and optimization which will be conducted under this project.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The candidate is expected to be creative, self-motivated, and should fit an efficiently and friendly atmosphere within the UCC Biophysics and Bioanalysis lab headed by Prof. Dmitri B. Papkovsky (ucc.ie/en/biochemistry/research/bioanalysis/papkovsky) and the Biophotinics lab of Prof. Stefan Andersson-Engels (IPIC, Tyndall) who will co-supervise this project. This position will offer great opportunities for learning and to become internationally visible. The successful candidates will also contribute to building the Biophotonics research theme in the SFI-funded IPIC and working with external partners in academia and industry.

Essential Criteria

• The successful candidate must have an MSc in one of the following disciplines: physics and optics, electrical, mechanical and biomedical engineering, image analysis and processing, programming, or related fields.
• The candidate must demonstrate a high motivation; have an academic record of excellence, and good writing and communication skills.
• Strong theoretical and experimental skills and documented ability in developing optical and imaging systems, handling biological samples are essential. Experience in system integration is desired.
• Highly self-motivated and able to demonstrate initiative, work within a multi-disciplinary project team to achieve results. A commitment to personal development.

Stipend: €18,000 per annum + EU Fees. Non-EU candidates may apply but they will need to cover extra fees themselves.