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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 - Develop nanoscale computational X-ray 3D imaging applied to brain tissues EPFL/PSI

Mission

We are delighted to offer a fully funded PhD position as part of an international collaborative project aimed at developing computational methods for hierarchical 3D X-ray imaging of brain tissues with synaptic resolution. The resolution for X-ray images is eventually limited by the existing lens technology, to overcome these limitations lensless computational imaging techniques, such as ptychography, are used in synchrotron X-ray sources. Further development of this technology and its application to imaging millimeter-range volumes of brain tissue are at the core of this Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) funded project aimed at elucidating the connectivity and structure of mammalian brain. The project is a joint effort by EPFL, Paul Scherrer Institute (Switzerland) and the Francis Crick Institute (UK).

 

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 algorithms and reconstruction pipelines that improve imaging resolution and throughput for multiscale and large-volume X-ray nanotomography. In particular leveraging machine learning for imaging brain tissues.

  • Develop algorithms and codes for image reconstruction and novel data analysis methods
  • Explore the use of 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, brain

 

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: March 7, 2025
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.

Contract Start Date : Flexible

Activity Rate : 100%

Contract Type : PhD Student

Duration : 1 year, renewable

Reference : 1363










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