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Two-photon vision is a recently discovered visual mechanism that enables humans to perceive electromagnetic radiation in the 800–1300 nm range. The color perceived under such conditions corresponds approximately to the color associated with half of the wavelength.

Potential applications of this phenomenon include augmented reality displays and medical devices for diagnosing functional visual disorders. However, to accurately assess the brightness of two-photon displays, appropriate photometric quantities for two-photon stimuli must be established. Since perceived brightness is directly related to the stimulation level of retinal photoreceptors, the main goal of this project is to collect fundamental data that will form the basis for photometric standards in two-photon vision.

Two-photon stimulation of photoreceptors will be investigated using specialized optical systems and measurement techniques grounded in visual psychophysics (flicker photometry), optoretinography, and electrophysiology.

The results of this project will broaden our understanding of human visual perception, provide deeper insight into how pulsed laser light interacts with the living eye, and supply the essential data required for future applications of the two-photon vision phenomenon. 

Post-doc is expected to independently design, plan and conduct experiments.

In particular, Post-doc will be responsible for the realization of Task 2 (VEP and ERG measurements) and partially Task 1.3 (optoretinography measurements).

In addition, he/she will oversee the work of the PhD student.

She/he will:

• - develop effective methods of detecting VEP and ERG signals for two-photon visual stimuli,
• - redesign the optical path for retinal stimulation in existing ORG set-up,
• - perform ORG, VEP and ERG measurements on healthy volunteers,
• - analyze data, write papers, and present project results at workshops and conferences,
• - implement and be responsible for application of data management plan for Task 2.      

We offer a post-doctoral position (full-time employment) in the Institute of Physical Chemistry PAS with a gross salary around 13 200 PLN gross per month financed from the NCN  OPUS 27 Project no: 2024/53/B/ST7/04225  "Characterization of sensitivity of cones and rods to two-photon stimulation".

100% of the work time of Postdoc will be devoted to the realization of the proposed project. The offer is for 6   months with a possible extension.  

We offer work in a young, dynamically developing team with modern research infrastructure. Funds are allocated to cover participation in international conferences and for short visits in collaborating laboratories. We plan to publish the results of the work in high impact factor journals.

The successful candidate will be eligible for all programs at the IPC PAS, including the IPC PAS Young Scientists competition and the IPC PAS Young Scientists Mobility competition.

Institute provides an opportunity to participate in ERASMUS+ programme.

1. PhD degree in physical sciences: experimental/technical physics, biophysics, medical physics, optics, optical engineering or similar obtained in the year of employment in the project or within 12* years before 1 January of the year of employment in the project. For researchers with multiple PhDs, the date of the first PhD award is deemed the reference date. Extension might apply according to National Science Centre, Poland, rules.

* The change based on the consent of the National Science Centre to change the condition regarding the number of years after obtaining the doctoral degree.

2. Additionally, the candidate for the postdoctoral position must meet the following condition:

• they did not have the principal investigator as their research supervisor or auxiliary supervisor of their PhD dissertation;
• their PhD degree has been awarded by another institution than the one planned to employ them at this post or they have completed a continuous and evidenced post-doctoral fellowship of at least 10 months in another institution than the host institution for the project and in another country than the one in which they have been conferred a PhD degree
• Experience in constructing optical systems for eye imaging, preferably with visual stimulation.
• Experience in recording and analyzing electrical biosignals will be appreciated (i. e. VEP, ERG, EEG, EKG).
• Programming skills in LabVIEW and/or Matlab, and/or Python.
• Proficiency in English, both spoken and written.
• Publication record and experience in research.
• Scientific curiosity and a high level of motivation to work.
• Good communication and teamwork skills.

The Recruitment Commission will take into account the following criteria:

- competencies for specific tasks in the research project

- knowledge of physics, biophysics, medical physics, optics, optical engineering

- previous scientific achievements

- awards and distinctions resulting from the conducted research