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EPFL, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, is one of the most dynamic university campuses in Europe and ranks among the top 20 universities worldwide. The EPFL employs more than 6,500 people supporting the three main missions of the institutions: education, research and innovation. The EPFL campus offers an exceptional working environment at the heart of a community of more than 18,500 people, including over 14,000 students and 4,000 researchers from more than 120 different countries.

PhD position - 3D X-ray imaging of nanoscale magnetization dynamics

Mission

We are delighted to offer a fully funded PhD position as part of an international collaborative project aimed at developing computational methods for imaging magnetization dynamics in 3D using X-rays. The aim is to develop new experimental and reconstruction approaches that can deliver high-quality and high-resolution vector tomography reconstructions while reducing the number of measurements significantly via sparsity. To reach nanoscale resolution the project focuses on using ptychography, a computational lensless imaging technique, applied at synchrotron X-ray sources.

Further development of this technology is at the core of this Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) co-funded project aimed at studying complex magnetization textures in 3D. The project is a joint effort by EPFL, Paul Scherrer Institute (Switzerland), University of Vienna, Vienna University of Technology (Austria), and the Max Planck institute for chemical physics of solids (Germany).

The position is offered as full-time PhD (100%) supervised by Prof. Guizar-Sicairos in the Computational X-ray Imaging Laboratory. The position will be physically located in the Paul Scherrer Institute in Villigen, Switzerland. You can find out the research directions and recent publications of our group here https://www.psi.ch/en/cxi

Main duties and responsibilities

Develop methods and reconstruction algorithms that enable sparse datasets to be reconstructed with high quality and high resolution. Organize and participate in sample preparation, experimental synchrotron  beamtimes, data analysis, and data interpretation.

  • Develop algorithms and codes for image reconstruction and novel data analysis methods
  • Explore the use of sparsity and/or machine learning for this application
  • Managing and analysis of large datasets
  • Collaborative research
  • Synchrotron experiment design and execution
  • Write scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals
  • Present results in international conferences
  • Supervise student projects and teaching support

Profile

BS or MS degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Photonics, Computer Science, or closely related discipline. A strong component of the project will be to develop new algorithms and significantly extend the capabilities of our reconstruction codes, therefore an affinity and interest for programming and solving real-life problems creatively with computer resources is needed. Background in physics and physical optics or image processing will be beneficial. This position is for you if you:

  • Enjoy programming and have programming experience
  • Have good communication skills and enjoy networking and working in collaborative projects
  • Are fluent in English
  • Are enthusiastic, eager to learn, and have scientific curiosity
  • Are independent, self-driven, and creative.

We offer

  • 4 years to complete your PhD with a competitive remuneration
  • Access and training to use state of the art facilities
  • Opportunity to collaborate within an international and multidisciplinary team
  • Opportunities for further education
  • A multi-cultural, respectful, and stimulating work environment
  • Term of employment: 1-year fixed-term contract, renewable for 4 years
  • EPFL is an equal-opportunity employer

Informations

Keywords

X-ray, synchrotron, tomography, large datasets, nanoscale, ptychography, magnetization, sparsity

 

Application

Only applications submitted through the online platform are considered.

Please apply by uploading a single pdf file containing:

  •     Motivation letter
  •     Detailed CV
  •     Transcript
  •     List of publications
  •     Letters of recommendation
  •     Contact details of at least three references

Application deadline: January 31,2026
For more information, please contact Prof. Guizar-Sicairos, manuel.guizar-sicairos@psi.ch

If you are successful, you will need to enroll in one of the EPFL doctoral school programs. Please check this page for additional information. Please note that this is a separate application process necessary to be eligible to complete your PhD at EPFL and getting this position is contingent to being accepted in an EPFL doctoral school program.

Contract Start Date : Flexible

Activity Rate : 100%

Contract Type : PhD Student

Duration : 1 year, renewable

Reference : 1882 

 










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