The Institute for Materials Research (IMO) of Hasselt University announces the following position for a (m/f):
PhD student (2x2 years) Nanophotonic detection of electrical signals in neural cells and networks with molecular resolution (mandate 101/32/100)
Job description
This work will be performed within the research group ‘Wide band gap Materials’ of the Institute for Materials Research, University of Hasselt, in the framework of the project BOF – New initiative with a title ‘Nanodiamond particle spin magnetometer en FRET sensors: novel routes towards molecular resolution neuro-network imaging’. The project is carried out in collaboration with the University of Antwerp and international partners.
The candidate will focus his research on the development of novel nanoscopic optical sensing methods using luminescent diamond nanoparticles for contactless readout and communication with neural cells. Emphasis will be put on the physics and manipulation with nanoscale materials, their optical characterization and development of sensing methods with molecular resolution in physiological media.
The topic is related to latest developments in neuroscience where optical detection is being used as a contactless tool for monitoring of signals in neural networks such as in the mammalian brain. The biological aspect of this work will be carried out in collaboration with the University of Antwerp and applied to neural cells in vitro and in vivo, leading to novel highly sensitive neural detection probes. The candidate has access to state-of-the-art techniques and will work within a stimulating and multidisciplinary environment.
PhD student Experimental Physics
