About the Project
Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a PhD studentship with the School of Physics, National University of Ireland, Galway. We are looking for a highly motivated student who wishes to hone their knowledge of physics, engineering and/or software development to deliver new tools for clinical and pre-clinical investigation of the eye, skin and brain. The TOMI lab is funded by several major grants awarded in recognition of our technologies for miniaturizing OCT, nanosensitive OCT, label-free superresolution and the first and brightest nanoparticle for imaging in vivo in the optical window.
Further details about the Tissue Optics and Microcirculation Imaging Group may be found at: http://tomi.nuigalway.ie/ and the National Biophotonics and Imaging Platform Ireland at www.nbipireland.ie
The applications of the technology in collaborations with the leading groups world-wide gives students the opportunity to be involved in advanced scientific discovery.
Example projects:
1. Advance multiple-reference OCT as a completely new and potentially disruptive approach to small form factor, low cost OCT imaging and measurement for a range of imaging and measurement applications including biometrics, ophthalmic diagnostics and therapeutics in relation to conditions of the eye such as cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and macular degeneration.
2. Advance nanosensitive OCT and related techniques to understanding the biomechanics of the eye or the initiation of stem cell differentiation at the site of injury.
3. Nanoparticle assisted photoacoustic and OCT imaging.
In these project optical and processing methods will be investigated to improve the systems to examine and ultimately to make quantitative measurements of biometrics and/or clinically important parameters. The experimental observations will be underpinned by modelling including Monte Carlo.
The Tissue Optics and Microcirculation Imaging Group (TOMI) is part of a substantial Photonics Cluster at Galway, which includes the National Centre for Laser Applications, The Applied Optics Group and The Biophotonics Group among others. The group is well funded by several EU Horizon 2020 grants and benefits enormously from the on campus hospital and pre-clinical facilities. TOMI is a key facility of the National Biophotonics and Imaging Platform (www.nbipireland.ie).
Galway is a vibrant city steeped in traditional music and song, surrounded by areas of outstanding natural beauty including Galway Bay, Connemara, The Burren and the Cliffs of Moher.
Research Fields: Physical sciences, physics, engineering, optics, photonics, biophotonics, tissue optics
For informal enquiries please e-mail Professor Martin Leahy at: [Email Address Removed]
Starting salary: PhD stipend €18,000 per annum (tax free) + Academic Fees + travel.
To Apply: Applicants are requested to submit 1) a CV, 2) the contact details of two referees by E-mail: [Email Address Removed]. Please put reference number NUIG-PhD-TOMI 01-17 in subject line of application.
National University of Ireland, Galway is an equal opportunity employer
Sunday Times University of The Year; QS rankings top 1% in the world
Funding Notes
Essential Skills
•A good honours degree in physics, electronics, engineering, computer science, or closely related discipline
•A strong background in optics
Highly desired Skills
•Knowledge of software development including Java, Python, MATLAB, Octave or similar
•Excellent communication and technical writing skills
•Knowledge of numerical modelling
•Ability to work in a focused and supportive team and the willingness to maintain the friendly and supportive atmosphere of the group