A PhD studentship is available in the Imaging Concepts Group at Glasgow University, developing and applying advanced optical microscopy and computational imaging techniques for applications such as measuring and studying heart structure, function and blood flow in the developing zebrafish heart. Since the zebrafish is transparent, advanced optical techniques make it possible to directly image in 3D the complex environment of the heart itself - but the motion of the heart presents interesting challenges for high quality imaging.
Existing work within our group has shown how to achieve timelapse imaging of the live, developing heart over 24 hours, map out the internal blood flow in precise 3D, and do so while minimising the harmful effects of laser illumination on the specimen. However, a number of challenges remain for a student excited by the idea of developing new imaging techniques to solve real-world biological imaging problems, and the student selected for this project will tackle challenges which could include:
- Implementing new algorithms to improve and quantify the reliability of heartbeat-synchronization, especially in less rhythmic hearts (which are particularly interesting from a biomedical perspective)
- Incorporating knowledge about the physics of fluid flows to improve the quality of both flow and structural imaging
- Label-free 3D flow imaging
- Post-acquisition correction of residual motion artefacts
The project could potentially involve collaboration with commercial microscope manufacturers keen to improve the performance of their microscopes.
The student will be based in the School of Physics and Astronomy at Glasgow University, supervised by Dr Jonathan Taylor and Prof Andrew Harvey. The student will join at an exciting time for the group, following substantial external investment in experimental microscopy and imaging capabilities that your research will integrate with. The Imaging Concepts Group consists of about 20 researchers (PhD/EngD students, postdocs, visiting scholars and academics) conducting leading-edge research in advanced imaging techniques and their commercial and biomedical applications, and we collaborate with a range of academic and industrial partners in the UK and abroad. Existing research in our group includes: adaptive/compressive imaging in microscopy & computer vision, realtime image analysis for heartbeat-synchronized imaging, and hyperspectral imaging for medical and industrial applications. More information about our research and our group can be found at http://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/physics/research/groups/imagingconcepts .
The project calls for a student with a strong computational background, coupled with an enthusiasm for working on problems in experimental imaging with very practical motivations and applications at the life-science interface. The ideal student will have:
- Experience and aptitude in computer programming (languages such as Python) to solve numerical and mathematical problems in experimental physics;
- Some familiarity with the mathematics and practicalities of optics and image analysis, and keen to develop their understanding further;
- Proven problem-solving abilities;
- An enthusiasm for innovation and creative thinking;
- A 1st or 2.i class degree (awarded, or predicted) in Physics or a related physical science.
Interested applicants are invited to send a CV and covering letter to [Email Address Removed], describing briefly what interests them about this specific project, and detailing how they meet the above criteria. Informal inquiries are also welcomed at the same address. The position is available for an October start and is one of several research opportunities available in our research group.
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