PhD Positions Available at Vicidomini Lab (Molecular Microscopy and Spectroscopy)

[Giuseppe Vicidomini]

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Dear colleagues

I am excited to announce that I have two PhD positions available in my group, i.e., the Molecular Microscopy and Spectroscopy group at the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia.
Details are listed below.
I would be most grateful if you could recommend to any suitable persons.
Interested candidates can contact me directly by email for informal discussion.
Thanks a lot
Best regards

Dr. Giuseppe Vicidomini
Senior Researcher TT
Molecular Microscopy and Spectroscopy
https://www.iit.it/research/lines/molecular-microscopy-and-spectroscopy <https://www.iit.it/research/lines/molecular-microscopy-and-spectroscopy>
Nanophysics
Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia

[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>

Via Morego, 30
16163 Genoa
Italy

T. [phone]
F. [phone]


The first PhD position is on "Single-Molecule-Tracking with Single-Photon Detector Array” and is within the BrightEyes project (ERC-GoC-2018).

The overall objective of the BrightEyes (https://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/220878/factsheet/en <https://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/220878/factsheet/en>) project is to develop a set of innovative and non-invasive imaging and spectroscopy tools able to observe a single-biomolecule at work in a living multi-cellular system. Specifically, by exploring novel single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) arrays detector, the BrightEyes project will implement an optical system able to continuously (i) track in real-time a biomolecule of interest; (ii) measure its nano-environment and its structural changes; (iii) observe its interactions with other biomolecules; (iv) visualize its sub-cellular micro-environment with nanometer resolution.
Within the context of the BrightEye project, the prime goal of the project will be the implementation of a feedback-based single-molecule tracking (SMT) system on a point-scanning microscope equipped with a small SPAD array detector – instead of the classical single-point detector. In essence, the candidate will implement a feedback controlling system which uses the signal provide by the SPAD array detector to control the actuators of the microscope’s beam scanning architecture to continuously maintain the tracked molecule in the centre of the excitation/detection volume of the microscope.  

Requirements: (i) master degree or equivalent degree preferably in engineering or physics; (ii) ability and motivation to work independently as well as collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team; (iii) ability to gather and analyse data from different resources with the aim of building, comprehensible and convincing story; (iv) expertise in controlling system (LabView, VHDL) is a must; (v) coding skills (Python and/or Matlab, C#) are highly desirable; (vi) expertise in microscopy will be considered as a plus.

References:
[1] M. Castello, G. Tortarolo, M. Buttafava, T. Deguchi, F. Villa, S. Koho, L. Pesce, M. Oneto, S. Pelicci, L. Lanzanò, P. Bianchini, C. J. R. Sheppard, A. Diaspro, A. Tosi, and G. Vicidomini, “A robust and versatile platform for image scanning microscopy enabling super-resolution FLIM," Nat Methods,16(2), 175-178 (2019).

Online application available until June 12th, 2019 at 12.00 noon (Italian time) at http://phd.dibris.unige.it/biorob/index.php/how-to-apply <http://phd.dibris.unige.it/biorob/index.php/how-to-apply>
Contacts: [hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>

The second PhD position is on "High-Speed Super-Resolved Microscopy”.

The aim of the Molecular Microscopy and Spectroscopy group is the theoretical design, development and validation of novel optical and analytical tools that allow the modern biologist to peer inside living biological systems with unprecedented temporal/spatial abilities and massive information content.

Within this context, the prime goal of the project will be to establish a new three-dimensional fluorescence microscopy technique for high-speed (fast) and super-resolution imaging [1,2] of living cells/tissues/organisms. To this end the candidate will explore both hardware and software strategies. In particular: (i) a wide-field microscopy architecture – instead of point-scanning microscopy architectures – will be explored to “instantaneously” generate large field-of-view images of the sample; (ii) adaptive optics methods will be investigate to provide three-dimensional imaging also into thick specimen; (iii) image reconstruction and denoising will be used to work at a reduced photon flux (both for the emission and for the excitation).  

Requirements: (i) master degree or equivalent degree preferably in engineering, physics or computer science; (ii) ability and motivation to work independently as well as collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team; (iii) ability to gather and analyze data from different resources with the aim of building, comprehensible and convincing story; (iv) coding skills (Python and/or Matlab, C#) are highly desirable; (v) expertise in microscopy and controlling system will be considered as a plus.

References:
[1] S.W. Hell, S. Sahl, X. Zhuang, R. Heintzmann, M. Booth, J. Bewersdorf, G. Shtengel, H. Hess, P. Tinnefeld, A. Honigmann, S. Jakobs, I. Testa, L. Cognet, B. Lounis, H. Ewers, S. Davis, D. Klenerman, K. Willig, G. Vicidomini, M. Castello, A. Diaspro, T. Cordes, M. Bates, and C. Eggeling, "The 2015 Super-Resolution Microscopy Roadmap," J Phys D: Appl Phys, 48, 443001 (2015)
[2] L. Schermelleh, A. Ferrand, T. Huser, C. Eggeling, M. Sauer, O. Biehlmaier, and G.P.C. Drummen, “Super-resolution microscopy demystified,” Nat Cell Bio, 21, 72-84 (2019)

Online application available until June 12th, 2019 at 12.00 noon (Italian time) at http://phd.dibris.unige.it/biorob/index.php/how-to-apply <http://phd.dibris.unige.it/biorob/index.php/how-to-apply>
Contacts: [hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>