PhD position (36-month) for the development of coherent Stokes Raman scattering (CSRS) microscopy in Marseille

RESEARCHER PROFILE: PhD / R1: First stage Researcher
RESEARCH FIELD(S)1: Physical Sciences
MAIN SUB RESEARCH FIELD OR DISCIPLINES1: Physics: Optics/Spectroscopy

JOB /OFFER DESCRIPTION 
This thesis will take place at the Fresnel Institute in Marseille, within the mosaic team (Sandro Heuke). You will develop a new coherent Raman technique called coherent Stokes Raman scattering (CSRS) microscopy. As the game-changer, CSRS will send the signal photons directly into the backward direction enabling the investigation of thick, non-transparent cancer samples. Moreover, we will use CSRS’ backscattering property to record the CSRS spectrum of tissue at unprecedented acquisition rates. Novel spectrometer concepts, multi-focus and wide-field illumination approaches will be put in place. Precise diagnoses of cancerous tissues will be derived from these CSRS spectra by machine learning algorithms. Your mission is to set up and characterize backscattering CSRS microscopes and evaluate their functionality on cancer tissue. Your tasks will include:

• Construction - You will build from scratch one or more new coherent Stokes Raman microscopes.

• Simulation – You will simulate your experiments in Matlab or Python. We work in close cooperation with theoretical physicists.

• (optional) Experiments - You will examine cancer samples with your microscope and predict the malignancy of the tissue with the help of our machine learning experts.

Your profile
Attitude: For you, research is a vocation. High levels of initiative, creativity and curiosity are expected from you.
Willingness to perform: Within your university education you were always in the top 25%. 
Qualification: You have completed a degree in the field of photonics, e.g. physics, physical chemistry or similar. As a plus but not required, you have developed microscopy techniques or other imaging methods within your master thesis.
Language: The communication between scientists happens in English. Knowledge of French for everyday use can be acquired when you have started your position.

TYPE OF CONTRACT: TEMPORARY / JOB STATUS:  FULL TIME / HOURS PER WEEK: 38
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 31/12/2024 & TIME 12:00
ENVISAGED STARTING DATE: 01/02/2025
ENVISAGED DURATION: 36 months
JOB FUNDED THROUGH AN EU RESEARCH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME: ERC Consolidators' grant - sCiSsoRS

WORK LOCATION(S): Institut Fresnel, Faculté des sciences de St Jérôme, Avenue Escadrille Normandie-Niémen, 13013 Marseille

QUALIFICATIONS, REQUIRED RESEARCH FIELDS, REQUIRED EDUCATION LEVEL, PROFESSIONAL SKILLS, OTHER RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS 
Master in Physics / photonics / physical chemistry
Soft skills: High levels of initiative, creativity and curiosity are expected. Team spirit.

REQUESTED DOCUMENTS OF APPLICATION, ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, SELECTION PROCESS

• CV
• Motivation letter
• 2 References
• Transcript of records

HOW TO APPLY: Sandro.Heuke@fresnel.fr