Postdoctoral Research Opportunity – Miniature Multiphoton Microscopy

University of Michigan; Ann Arbor (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Michigan in Ann Arbor seeks a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to lead the development and validation of a miniature fiber-coupled multiphoton microscope for in vivo neuronal imaging in freely behaving mice. You will advance remote-focusing design, optimize imaging performance, and collaborate across optics, engineering, and neuroscience teams.

The role emphasizes optical characterization, data acquisition integration, and preclinical validation, with opportunities to contribute to

Qualifications

• PhD in optics, physics, electrical or biomedical engineering or related field.
• Substantial hands-on experience with laser-based optical instrumentation.
• Experience with multiphoton microscopy, nonlinear optics, or ultrafast lasers.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex optical systems across disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Lead ultrafast laser and fiber-optic characterization of the system.
• Characterize remote-focusing and scanners; quantify PSF, FOV, SNR.
• Implement XY, XZ, multi-plane imaging and validation protocols.
• Integrate acquisition hardware and software for synchronized imaging.
• Develop MATLAB- or Python-based analysis for performance metrics.
• Lead preclinical imaging validation in mouse models and protocols.

Skills

Optical instrument development

Laser alignment

Multiphoton microscopy

Ultrafast lasers

Data analysis (MATLAB/Python)

Education

PhD in optics/physics/EE/biomedical eng

Tools

Zemax

MATLAB

LabVIEW

Python

Job description

Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Miniature Multiphoton Microscopy

National Center for Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NCBIB)

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States

Employer Description

PI: Thomas D. Wang, MD, PhD, University of Michigan

The Wang Laboratory at the University of Michigan is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral research fellow to lead the experimental development, characterization, and validation of a miniature flexible, fiber-coupled multiphoton microscope for in vivo imaging of neuronal activity in freely behaving animals. This research is supported by the NIH-funded National Center for Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NCBIB/P41). The instrument incorporates a novel remote-focusing optical architecture consisting of 2 objectives that introduce equal but opposite aberrations, enabling large axial displacements of the focal plane while preserving high spatial resolution. Miniature microsystems scanners based on parametric resonance and high-density thin-film PZT materials provide lateral beam scanning, remote axial focusing, and random-access positioning. This approach enables optical sectioning in both horizontal (XY) and vertical (XZ) planes, as well as multi-plane imaging and high-speed acquisition within user-defined regions of interest (ROIs). The compact, lightweight design is intended for head-mounted or implantable use in freely behaving mice, allowing neuronal activity to be monitored longitudinally across substantial brain volumes. Remote axial scanning and random-access control enable rapid transitions between wide-field and localized imaging, optimizing spatial resolution, frame rate, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and temporal resolution. The successful applicant will have primary responsibility for experimental optical characterization, multiphoton imaging performance, acquisition-system integration, and preclinical imaging validation. The fellow will collaborate closely with the optical-design/packaging team, microsystems group, and neuroscience investigators to translate the remote-focusing architecture into a functional miniature multiphoton microscope.

Key Responsibilities

• Ultrafast laser and fiber-optic characterization: Measure and optimize laser pulse quality delivered through optical fibers to the sample, including average power, optical spectrum, pulse duration, polarization, pulse broadening, nonlinear distortion, and estimated peak power. Evaluate dispersion precompensation and pulse-compression performance to maintain efficient two-photon excitation.
• Remote-focusing multiphoton system characterization: Assemble, align, and experimentally characterize the remote-focusing optical system incorporating miniature lateral and axial scanners. Quantify lateral and axial point-spread functions, spatial resolution, field of view (FOV), working distance, fluorescence collection efficiency, and SNR across the axial scanning range.
• Axial scanning and vertical-plane imaging: Implement and validate horizontal (XY), vertical (XZ), multi-plane, and random-access imaging modes. Measure axial positioning accuracy, scan range, repeatability, settling time, residual aberrations, and focus displacement. Establish trade-offs among frame rate, FOV, SNR, and temporal resolution.
• Data acquisition and instrument control: Integrate laser triggers, photomultiplier tube (PMT) detectors, scanner drive electronics, and acquisition software. Collaborate with engineering personnel to implement synchronized scanning, image acquisition, real-time visualization, and reproducible instrument calibration.
• Quantitative optical performance evaluation: Develop MATLAB- or Python-based analysis methods for spatial resolution, fluorescence intensity, imaging depth, optical power delivery, SNR, and temporal stability. Compare experimental measurements with optical simulations and reference remote-focusing performance benchmarks.
• Preclinical multiphoton imaging: Lead experimental validation of the miniature imaging system in mouse models, including imaging of neuronal activity in freely behaving animals. Collaborate with neuroscience investigators to develop imaging protocols, assess motion artifacts, and evaluate the performance of vertical-plane and multi-plane imaging strategies.
• Multidisciplinary collaboration: Work closely with microsystems group on scanner characterization and integration, optical engineers on aberration correction and packaging, and software engineers on image acquisition and reconstruction.
• Research dissemination: Develop reproducible alignment, calibration, and imaging protocols; contribute to manuscripts, presentations, and progress reports; and support training and technology dissemination activities within the P41 Imaging Center.

Qualifications

Candidates must have a Ph.D. in optics, physics, electrical engineering, biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a closely related discipline. Applicants should have substantial hands-on experience developing, aligning, and characterizing laser-based optical instrumentation, preferably involving multiphoton microscopy, nonlinear optics, or ultrafast laser systems. Applicants with demonstrated ability to independently troubleshoot complex optical systems and work effectively across optics, engineering, and biological research disciplines are especially encouraged to apply.

Preferred technical qualifications include

• Experience with femtosecond lasers, nonlinear optics, and multiphoton fluorescence microscopy.
• Hands-on experience with specialty optical fibers for delivery of ultrafast laser pulses.
• Knowledge of chromatic dispersion, nonlinear pulse propagation, polarization effects, and pulse characterization or compression.
• Experience measuring optical PSF, spatial resolution, FOV, fluorescence collection efficiency, and SNR.
• Familiarity with remote focusing, adaptive optics, axial focus control, or aberration-corrected microscopy.
• Experience integrating scanning mechanisms, e.g. MEMS mirrors, piezoelectric actuators, or galvos.
• Proficiency with optical alignment, precision positioning, and system troubleshooting.
• Experience with detectors, data acquisition, laser triggering, and instrument-control software.
• Programming proficiency in MATLAB, Python, and/or LabVIEW.
• Familiarity with Zemax optical simulations and measurement of optical performance.
• Experience with biological tissues, intravital microscopy, or preclinical animal imaging is desirable.
• Excellent communication, organizational, documentation, and collaborative research skills.

Research Environment

The University of Michigan provides an outstanding multidisciplinary environment for postdoctoral researchers pursuing careers in academic research, biomedical engineering, or medical-device development. The Wang Laboratory is located in the BSRB on the University of Michigan medical campus. The laboratory is equipped with a Spectra-Physics Insight X3 (<100 fs, 680-1300 nm) and MaiTai HP DS (<100 fs, 690-1040 nm) ultrafast lasers with DeepSee dispersion compensation, as well as an Olympus FV1000MPE twin multiphoton intravital microscope for two- and three-photon imaging. Additional instrumentation includes an Opotek Phocus laser with optical parametric oscillator, an Edgewave diode-pumped Q-switched Nd laser, and several solid-state laser sources covering the visible and near-infrared spectrum. The facility includes four optical tables distributed across three laboratory modules (~450 sq ft) for the development of prototype fiber-coupled endomicroscopes. Available equipment includes optical spectrum analyzers, spectrometers, laser beam profilers, function generators, oscilloscopes, photomultiplier tube detectors, precision optical mounts, positioners, stages, and supporting electronics. Software resources include Zemax, SolidWorks, MATLAB, and LabVIEW for optical and mechanical modeling, instrument control, and quantitative data analysis. The P41 Imaging Center provides opportunities for close collaboration with experts in microsystems engineering, miniature scanning mechanisms, computational imaging, and neuroscience. The laboratory is located near the Lurie Nanofabrication Facility (LNF), which supports fabrication of miniature microsystems and optical scanning devices, and the Medicine Medical Procedures Unit (MPU), where related fiber-coupled imaging technologies are clinically translated. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience and consistent with applicable University of Michigan and NIH guidelines. International applicants are welcome.