Dual comb microscopy for ultrafast biological imaging

In this fully funded PhD project the selected candidate will work at the Aston Institute of Photonic Technologies, in collaboration with the Aston Institute for Membrane Excellence, to develop novel photonic techniques based on optical frequency comb technology for applications in fast imaging, and monitoring of biological samples and processes.

In this project the PhD candidate will develop and use state-of-the-art photonic techniques, based on optical frequency comb technology, for applications in imaging and microscopy with the goal of monitoring biological processes. The candidate will be based at the Aston Institute of Photonic Technologies (AIPT), Aston University. With a hundred people workforce AIPT is one of the largest photonics research centres in the UK and in Europe, featuring an intellectually stimulating and vibrant international research environment, together with state-of-the-art labs in a vast range of research areas including optical communications, fibre optics, fibre and semiconductor lasers, sensing, biophotonics, neuromorphic photonics and optical computing. 

The PhD candidate will be supervised by Dr. Auro Perego and his team from AIPT on the development of optical frequency comb sources based on nonlinear photonic platforms, and co-supervised by Prof. Roslyn Bill and her team at the Aston Institute for Membrane Excellence (AIME) receiving relevant training about experimental use of biological samples in the lab too.

Optical frequency combs, a Nobel Prize winning technology, are ultraprecise optical rulers consisting of equally spaced coherent frequency (colours of the electromagnetic spectrum) laser lines and can be generated by several laser-based devices. Nonlinear optics knowledge enables engineering optical frequency comb sources with tailored and controllable spectral properties which can serve a variety of applications including sensing, imaging, ranging and LIDARs, telecom, space exploration and optical clocks.
In this project the candidate will develop electro-optic dual-comb sources leveraging light propagation inside nonlinear waveguides for spectral broadening. The dual comb source will be used in microscopy applications to interrogate target samples detecting their absorption properties, refractive index and response to acoustic vibrations.
The frequency comb based microscopy techniques developed in this project will be employed to perform fast imaging and monitoring several processes that are of interest to the community doing research in biology and membrane science including: brain cells dynamics, infection evolution, and changes in cells mechanical properties.
 

Main Supervisor             Dr Auro Perego

Associate Supervisor    Prof. Roslyn Bill
 

Contact Information

For enquiries about this project, contact Dr. Auro Perego at a.perego1@aston.ac.uk.
 

PhD programmes are for those who are seeking to develop greater in-depth knowledge in a specific area. Completing this level of study is about making an original contribution to knowledge, making new discoveries and developing lifelong skills. 

At Aston University, our Engineering and Physical Sciences PhD programmes will provide all the support and facilities you will need to develop into a leading researcher in your chosen field.  You will be welcomed into a supportive community with a shared enthusiasm for original research, where diversity and multidisciplinary is championed.

The successful PhD candidate will have a BSc/MSc degree in Engineering or Physics with substantial knowledge and specialisation in photonics. Previous experimental experience in a photonics lab, and interdisciplinary background in biological sciences are desirable but not essential.

We can only consider applications that are complete and have all supporting documents. Applications that do not provide all the relevant documents will be automatically rejected. Your application must include: 

1. English language copies of the transcripts and certificates for all your higher education degrees, including any Bachelor degrees.
    
2. A Research Statement detailing your understanding of the research area, how you would approach the project, and a brief review of relevant literature. Be sure to use the title of the research project you are applying for. There is no set format or word count. 
    
3. A personal statement which outlines any further information which you think is relevant to your application, such as your personal suitability for research, career aspirations, possible future research interests, and further description of relevant employment experience. 
    
4. Two academic referees who can discuss your suitability for independent research. References must be on headed paper, signed and dated no more than 2 years old. At least one reference should be from your most recent University. You can submit your references at a later date if necessary. 
    
5. Evidence that you meet the English Language requirements. If you do not currently meet the language requirements, you can submit this at a later stage. 
    
6. A copy of your passport. Where relevant, include evidence of settled or pre-settled status.

Interviews

Interviews will be conducted online via Microsoft Teams. If you are shortlisted, you will be contacted directly with details of the interview.  

Please select -  (EPS) Computer Science in the applicaitons system. 

Studying a PhD is great route into academia and industries that are centred on research and innovation. Areas with a demand for very high level and specialised research skills often demand PhDs.

In addition to this specialist knowledge, PhD education will help you to develop a set of valuable transferrable skills. The very nature of studying an intensive research degree will enable you to become a team player, develop problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, and advanced presentation and communication skills.

The variety of PhD project topics at Aston means that the destinations of our graduates vary substantially. Some choose to continue into academia, at either Aston or other leading institutions, while others go onto use their newly acquired skills in a range of research, healthcare, industry or charitable fields. When selecting your chosen PhD path at Aston, your supervisor will be able to provide you with relevant career opportunities that could be available to you in your specialist area.