As part of a recently granted Science Foundation Ireland project, the Centre for Advanced Photonics and Process Analysis (CAPPA) has a PhD project available to develop an innovative gas sensor.
Rapid diagnostic tools for determining the susceptibility of bacteria to antimicrobials is a particularly important need that has been in highlighted in Ireland’s National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance. The goal of the project is to build a new trace gas sensor that will monitor the metabolic activity of bacteria via the generated carbon dioxide using mid Infrared (Mid IR) spectroscopy. The sensor is based on photothermal spectroscopy and will use a robust compact silicon based Fabry-Perot cavity to enhance light absorption. This trace gas detector is widely applicable, depending on the excitation laser used. The project will track the response of the bacterial samples to administered anti-microbials and will provide fully automated analysis thus providing a rapid anti-microbial susceptibility test.
In this project, the student will combine the above spectroscopy technique with photonic integrated techniques to realise low cost, robust high-performance sensors. The projects will involve device design using numerical modelling software, including both optical waveguides, metasurfaces and photonic crystals, device fabrication in the state-of-the-art cleanroom at the Tyndall National Institute, and assembly using the latest photonic integration techniques. The deadline to apply is 8th of June.
You can apply via LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/3071522369/
For more information visit www.cappa.ie or email [email protected].