position open at nanoscopy Diaspro Lab Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia

[Alberto Diaspro]

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Postdoctoral position in Optical Nanoscopy

The Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia – IIT – was established by the Italian government to promote technological development and training in the scientific and technological field. Toward this end, IIT is implementing a detailed scientific program, which comprises integration across fundamental research and application. IIT's research endeavour focuses on high-tech and innovation, representing the forefront of technology with possible application from medicine to industry, computer science, robotics, life sciences and nanobiotechnologies.

A postdoctoral position in Optical Nanoscopy is available in the department of Nanophysics (NAPH) at the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) of Genova, Italy, for the development, optimization and experimental validation of a light sheet based imaging platform of neuronal populations in the mice retina.

Project Description:

The research position is part of the EU project RENVISION awarded within the initiative of Future Emerging Technologies: Neuro-Bio-Inspired Systems (NBIS). The project is highly interdisciplinary, including neuroengineering, electrophysiology, high-resolution microscopy imaging, computational modelling, data analysis, machine learning and computer vision.
The consortium consists of the following partners:


        • Pattern Analysis and Computer Vision, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, IT (Coordinator)
        • Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , Genova, IT
        • Nanophysics, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , Genova, IT
        • Institute of Neuroscience Newcastle University, UK
        • Institute for Adaptive and Neural Computation, University of Edinburgh, UK
        • Institut National de Recherche en Informatique et en Automatique, Nice, FR.
The overall aim of the project is to achieve a comprehensive understanding of how the retina encodes complex visual scenes, and to use such insights to develop new computational models of retina and to apply them to high-level computer vision tasks, such as scene categorization and action recognition.

To this aim, the integration of recent advances in high-resolution 3D light microscopy and high-density multi-electrode array (MEA) technologies, will put the project in an unprecedented position to investigate pan-retinal signal processing at high spatio-temporal resolution, integrating these two technologies in a novel experimental setup. This will allow for simultaneous recording from the entire population of ganglion cells and functional imaging of inner retinal layers at near-cellular resolution, combined with 3D structural imaging of the whole inner retina. The analysis and fusion of these complex datasets will require the development of novel multimodal analysis methods. On these neuroscientific and computational grounds, the project will generate new knowledge on retinal processing at various developmental stages.

In particular, structural imaging of retina and its functional recordings will be analysed using computer vision, pattern recognition and machine learning techniques in order to reconstruct the neuronal connectivity and to capture the intrinsic functionalities of retina in response to a range of visual stimuli, from simple lighting patterns to real scenes. Ultimately, the project will advance pattern recognition and computer vision technologies by shedding new light on the internal structure of retina and how the retinal processing allows solving complex vision tasks.

There is scope for development of innovative methodologies to analyse microscopy imaging and high-density multi-electrodes recordings. Travel funds are available to visit the project partners and to enable effective collaborations.

Description of duties: The candidate will be working on the design, development and application of an original optical system based on light sheet illumination for 3D structural imaging of the inner whole retina. The system will be coupled with two photon excitation for calcium imaging and it will be integrated with HD-MEA platform to combine structural and functional information of inner retinal populations. The candidate will work in an interdisciplinary environment and she/he will have the opportunity to contribute with her/his experimental and computational skills to the development and application of the multimodal imaging optical system.

The problems to be faced will be purely scientific and the candidate is expected to autonomously determine the specific techniques and solutions in agreement with the principal investigator and with the advice from senior research staff.

Experience and Qualifications: We are seeking a self-motivated individual with the ability to take day-to-day responsibility for the progress of the proposed work. Applicants should have a PhD in physics/engineering and a strong background in applied optics. Experience in fluorescence, confocal and two photon excitation microscopy is appreciated.

The candidate is expected to be able to undertake independent research and have a critical analytical approach to problem solving. She/he is also expected to be willing to interact with people across disciplines and should have good communication skills.

Duration of hiring: depending on the project duration, starting date is 1 April 2013 or the first useful date afterwards.

Closing Date for application: The initial deadline for applications is March 1, 2013, although the search will continue until appropriate candidates have been identified.

Annual salary: Depending on research experience and qualification.

Informal enquiries regarding the post should be directed to [hidden email] [hidden email].

Interested applicants should send a CV (including a list of publications) and contact information of 2 references to [hidden email] and [hidden email]

Further information on the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia and the Optical Nanoscopy group can be found at:

http://www.iit.it/

http://www.iit.it/en/research/departments/nanophysics.html