Doctoral Student in Robotics and AI for Automated Microscopy Imaging

Title: Doctoral Student in Cell Biology and Computational Microscopy Imaging

Application Closed (Deadline: 27.April.2023)

KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm has grown to become one of Europe’s leading technical and engineering universities, as well as a key centre of intellectual talent and innovation. We are Sweden’s largest technical research and learning institution and home to students, researchers and faculty from around the world. Our research and education covers a wide area including natural sciences and all branches of engineering, as well as architecture, industrial management, urban planning, history and philosophy.

Project description

Third-cycle subject: Biological Physics

The AICell Lab (https://aicell.io) in the department of Applied Physics at KTH and Science for Life Laboratory is a new research group funded by the Data-driven Life Science Fellows program. The group, led by Wei Ouyang, focuses on building AI systems for data-driven cell and molecular biology. To expand the team, we are now opening a position for a doctoral student in biological physics with a focus on robotics and AI-powered microscopy imaging.

You will actively contribute to the design and implementation of an automated microscopy imaging farm, encompassing hardware integration, optics optimization, robotics engineering, and automation systems development. Additionally, you will be involved in developing cutting-edge AI models for data analysis, designing real-time feedback control systems for active data acquisition, and working on data-driven whole-cell modeling initiatives to advance our research objectives.

Supervision: Professor Hjalmar Brismar and Assistant Professor Wei Ouyang are proposed to supervise the doctoral student. Decisions are made on admission.

What we offer


  • The possibility to study in a dynamic and international research environment in collaboration with industries and prominent universities from all over the world. Read more

  • A workplace with many employee benefits and monthly salary according to KTH’s Doctoral student salary agreement.

  • A postgraduate education at an institution that is active and supportive in matters pertaining to working conditions, gender equality and diversity as well as study environment.

  • Work and study in Stockholm, close to nature and the water.

  • Learning and thriving in a young and ambitious research group

  • Help to relocate and be settled in Sweden and at KTH.

Admission requirements


To be admitted to postgraduate education (Chapter 7, 39 § Swedish Higher Education Ordinance), the applicant must have basic eligibility in accordance with either of the following:

  • passed a second cycle degree (for example a master’s degree), or

  • completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 second-cycle higher education credits, or

  • acquired, in some other way within or outside the country, substantially equivalent knowledge

Type in the special eligibility the applicant also shall meet.

In addition to the above, there is also a mandatory requirement for English equivalent to English B/6, read more here

Selection 


In order to succeed as a doctoral student at KTH you need to be goal oriented and persevering in your work. During the selection process, candidates will be assessed upon their ability to:

  • Ability to work independently and effectively manage time.
  • Collaborative mindset and experience working in interdisciplinary teams.
  • Ability to cross disciplines and exhibit a passion for AI, robotics, lab automation and data-driven life science.
  • Previous training in electronics design, optics, mechanical engineering, computer vision, robotics and machine learning.
  • Proficiency in programming languages, including Python, C/C++, JavaScript, and Bash.
  • Previous experience in working with AI, machine learning, deep learning, microscopy image analysis, desktop and web software design, robotic and control systems.
  • Strong demonstrated hands-on skills, with a proven ability to effectively handle experimental setups, instrumentation, and troubleshooting in a research environment.

Target degree: Doctoral degree

Information regarding admission and employment


Only those admitted to postgraduate education may be employed as a doctoral student. The total length of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education in four years ’ time. An employed doctoral student can, to a limited extent (maximum 20%), perform certain tasks within their role, e.g. training and administration. A new position as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, and then the employment may be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.

Union representatives


You will find contact information for union representatives on KTH’s website.

Doctoral section (Students’ union on KTH Royal Institute of Technology)

You will find contact information for doctoral section on the section’s website.

Application


Apply for the position and admission through KTH’s recruitment system. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement.

Applications must be received at the last closing date at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

Applications must include the following elements:

  • CV including your relevant professional experience and knowledge.

  • Application letter with a brief description of why you want to pursue research studies, about what your academic interests are and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. (Maximum 2 pages long).

  • Copies of diplomas and grades from previous university studies and certificates of fulfilled language requirements (see above). Translations into English or Swedish if the original document is not issued in one of these languages. Copies of originals must be certified.

  • Representative publications or technical reports: For longer documents, please provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.

Other


Striving towards gender equality, diversity and equal conditions is both a question of quality for KTH and a given part of our values. 

For information about processing of personal data in the recruitment process please read here.