PhD scholarship for Development of a Novel Terahertz Cross-Correlation Spectroscopy System

If you aim at scientific excellence and want to establish a career as a scientist within novel photonics systems and multidimensional data analysis, then we have the ideal opportunity for you.

We invite applicants driven by developing photonics-based solutions to cross-disciplinary problems to apply for a 3-year PhD position. The project will investigate whether it is possible to develop a novel terahertz (THz) photonics system based on cross-correlation spectroscopy (THz-CCS) and demonstrate its unique use for both spectroscopic and time-of-flight investigations within the fields of health tech, food tech and material characterization.

The project includes:

• Development of a functional THz-CCS system, including design and implementation of the entire photonics system
• Development of data analysis techniques based on e.g. modern machine learning techniques, applied statistics, multi-variate regression and mapping of data onto physics models derived from first principles
• Exploration of cross-disciplinary use cases, potentially involving in-vivo and ex-vivo measurements for biomedical applications, nutritional content analysis of food and characterization of industrial materials such as plastics

Finally, the outcome of the project will continuously be considered for commercialization through a spin-out company from DTU. You are therefore encouraged to show all previous industry experience that can be used in such context.

You will be based in the Ultrafast Infrared and Terahertz Science group headed by professor Peter Uhd Jepsen. Your main supervisors will be professor Peter Uhd Jepsen and professor Jes Broeng, and you will work closely with post-doc Simon Lehnskov Lange, who will be your co-supervisor.

Responsibilities and qualifications
Your primary responsibility will be to build a functional THz-CCS system based on some of the group’s initial work. You will then collect and analyze data from the THz-CCS system. You will develop and implement novel data analysis tools into the system based tools such as multi-dimensional statistical models and machine learning. Based on these results, you will further develop the hardware of the THz-CCS system into a more advanced tool which can ultimately be used for cross-disciplinary problem solving. We therefore require you to have good knowledge and experience with both software, hardware and data analysis development. Knowledge within photonics is a benefit, but not a requirement.

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree. 

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see the DTU PhD Guide .   

Assessment
The application will be assessed by Professor Peter Uhd Jepsen, Professor Jes Broeng and Post-doc Simon Lehnskov Lange.  

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.  

You can read more about career paths at DTU here .  

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Professor Peter Uhd Jepsen, [email protected] or post-doc Simon Lehnskov Lange, [email protected] . 

You can read more about DTU Fotonik at www.fotonik.dtu.dk/english . 

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark .  

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 13 September 2021 (Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma
• Excel sheet with translation of grades to the Danish grading system (see guidelines and Excel spreadsheet here )

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

Photonics at the international forefront
DTU Fotonik has 220 employees with competences in optics and is one of the largest centers in the world based solely on research in photonics. Research is performed within optical sensors, lasers, LEDs, photovoltaics, ultra-high speed optical transmission systems, bio-photonics, nano-optics and quantum photonics.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear vision to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That vision lives on today. DTU has 12,900 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.