Eurizon.eu

Organization: VTT

Location: Espoo, Finland

Field: Technology

Requirements:

• a solid academic background with an MSc in relevant fields
• scientific ambition, motivation and strong interest in cutting-edge research
• team working skills in an international working environment
• inventiveness and initiative personality
• good analytical and problem solving skills
• excellent English language skills

Abstract:

VTT is a globally networked multitechnological contract research organization. VTT provides high-end technology solutions and innovation services to a broad range of industries worldwide. As a workplace we offer new challenges at the forefront of technological development. VTT employs 2900 professionals. Our turnover is 280 M€. Main locations in Finland include Espoo, Tampere, Oulu, and Jyväskylä.VTT is launching second international graduate school in 2011 to attract new, PhD students. We are looking for 15 new PhD students (incl. one Post Doc Researcher) that are expected to contribute to development of our prominent technological competences.

Description:

The PhD thesis should be finalized within the four-year period and fulfill high level scientific standards. The employment of Post Doc Researchers is for two years. The open positions are related to applied materials, services and the built environment, industrial system management, bio and chemical processes, energy, information and communication technologies, and microtechnologies and electronics.

PhD Student- Polymeric micro- and nanophotonic devices for chemical sensing

The objective of the research is connected to an EU-funded project that aims to develop a mass-producible disposable nano-photonic sensor chip for generic multi-parameter sensing applications with high sensitivity against selected analyte. Industrial demonstrators include air quality and pharmaceutical cleanliness as well as food safety. Conventional analytical techniques are usually expensive both in terms of personnel and equipment; in addition, one of the principal requirement is to perform screening tests without specialized infrastructure. Limitations of current sensors include large dimensions, sometimes limited sensitivity and inherent single-parameter measurement capability. Two nanophotonic based sensing methods, interferometric and Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS), are utilized for environmental and pharmaceutical applications. In the interferometric method, the reaction of analyte molecule(s) with the functionalized surface changes the effective refractive index of the system, and thus shifts the resonance peak of the optical circuit, that can be measured. In the Raman method, the sensor surface transforms the Raman scattering, which is simultaneously enhanced by the nano-structure. Besides the actual sensing, critical aspects in the integrated optical sensor circuits are the in and out coupling issues and integration with the read-out device.

Depending on the background and research interests of the applicant, the actual research work can include following topics:
- micro- and nanofabrication of polymeric photonic devices,
- physical modeling of nanophotonic device structures and integrated optical circuits,
- optical characterization,
- developing a sensor interface with available read-out systems.
Success in this position requires a background in one or several of the following fields: physics, electrical engineering or micro- and nanofabrication.

 
PhD students and Post Doc Researcher participate in high level research work at VTT on selected strategically relevant topics within a collaborative project environment. PhD work is done for four consecutive years under professional scientific supervision by highly experienced and competent senior researchers with PhD degrees.
We offer for PhD Students
• an opportunity to contribute to the strategic capabilities of a world-class research organization
• outstanding PhD supervision by top research scientists of your field
• excellent prospects for personal development
• an innovative work community for aspiring researchers
• a work contract for 1 + 3 years
• assistance with housing and other relocation issue
For conditions of employment (incl. relocation service issues), please contact Merja Grönberg, merja.gronberg@vtt.fi or Marja-Liisa Virtanen marja-liisa.virtanen@vtt.fi
Please fill in your application at www.vtt.fi/careers
 

Deadline: 13-03-2011

Contacts:

Email: pentti.karioja@vtt.fi

Email: jussi.hiltunen@vtt.fi

Phone number: +358407307529

Phone number: +358 407795831

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