Research Fellow in Biomedical Optics Simulation

Computational Optics Group

UCL’s Computational Optics Group (COG), led by Professor Peter Munro, undertakes research into the use of computational methods (model and AI-based) to perform advanced optical imaging. COG’s flagship computational model is the Time Domain Maxwell Solver (TDMS), an open source code for physics-based simulation of light propagation through large tissue samples (https://github.com/UCL/TDMS ). The model has been applied to simulating image formation in optical coherence tomography and a range of optical microscopy modalities.

Professor Munro is a co-investigator on an EPSRC Building Collaboration at the Physics of Life Interface scheme, along with principal-investigators Professor Angus Silver (Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, UCL) and Professor Martin Booth (Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford). The project aims to develop a microscope capable of imaging deep layer neocortical pyramidal neurons in the motor cortex of a live mouse, using adaptive optics multiphoton microscopy. Achieving this objective requires a highly collaborative multidisciplinary approach with cross-institutional expertise involving teams of physicists, microscope developers and neuroscientists.

About the role

The core aim of this role is to devise and perform simulations which will underpin the development of a novel wavefront corrected multiphoton microscope for performing extremely deep tissue imaging. It is intended that the TDMS package will be used to perform these simulations, however, other techniques may also be employed. A key feature of this role is that the PDRA will be expected to work with physicists and neuroscientists to devise and perform experiments to validate and refine the model of light propagation in mouse brain tissue.

A key aspect of this role is to answer fundamental questions regarding the design of wavefront corrected multiphoton microscopes, which have not been addressed up until now due to the lack of a computational model such as TDMS. The answers to these questions will inform the design of the novel multiphoton microscope being built to perform deep brain mouse imaging, and will be key to its success.

Duties and responsibilities

• To devise and perform simulations of light propagation through an experimentally acquired three-dimensional refractive index model of mouse brain using TDMS, a pseudo-spectral time-domain (PSTD) electromagnetic scattering code.
• Interpret the simulation results to reveal new information about multiphoton microscopy, and to devise further simulations.
• Work closely with collaborators with backgrounds in physics and neuroscience to use simulations to improve optical microscopy through biological tissue.

This is a fixed term contract for twelve months. Appointment is at Grade 7 (£42,099 to £49,263) p.a. inclusive of London allowance, dependent upon having been awarded a PhD (or equivalent). Pending this, initial appointment will be at Grade 6B (£37,332- £39,980p.a. inclusive of London allowance) with payment at Grade 7 (as per the above salary scales) being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis.

About you

The ideal candidate will have a PhD in electrical engineering, physics, optics, mathematics, computer science or a closely related field. Applicants with experience in adjacent fields are encouraged to apply. Experience in modelling optical imaging systems and numerical computing is also required. Experience with pseudo-spectral time-domain, finite-difference time-domain methods or another numerical electromagnetic method will be an advantage. For more information about this role, including contact details and staff benefits, click “Apply” above.