Job opening in characterization of structural colors and interference pigments

Reference: Research position PTDC/CTM-MET/113352/2009

Main research fields: Optics, Computer and Imaging Science, Materials Science Sub research field: Colorimetry, Thin-Films, Interference Pigments.     

Candidates holding a degree in Physics, Informatics or Engineering and specialized in one of the following areas: colorimetry, computer programming, image processing, hyperspectral imaging and optical engineering are invited
to apply for a maximum of 2-year research position at the Center for Physics of the University of Minho (CFUM),starting in the beginning of 2011. The project is funded by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Portugal.

The scientific activity of the candidate will be within the existing project in the area of Optics and Materials Science. The research project is done in collaboration with the Department of Optics, University of Granada (Spain), and Akzo Nobel Car Refinishes (The Netherlands), and comprises both optical and structural characterization of biological and industrial coatings that present metal-like pearl-like or iridescent effects. The successful candidate is expected to collaborate in the design of the hyperspectral imaging system as well as in the creation of the reflectance database of samples, their structural analysis as well as in the colorimetric and theoretical analysis. In the latter, it is expected the elaboration of specific image analysis operations in such a way that parameters are calculated to show the best correlation with visual assessments of texture (especially sparkle effects) on industrial effect coating samples. Image analysis tools will focus on the intensity and density of the brightest pixels in the hyperspectral images, and their color contrast with the surrounding pixels. The candidate will also have the opportunity to start a PhD program in the Department of Physics of the University of Minho.

Place: The project will be implemented in the CFUM, Campus de Gualtar, Braga (Portugal). The CFUM is one of the largest Portuguese research centres in physics integrated into the School of Sciences. The CFUM has
an international panel of members and counts with 71 researchers with PhD and some 30 research students. The CFUM facilities are organised in 30 research laboratories. The major research areas are: Condensed Matter
Physics, Physics and Applications of Thin Solid Films, Molecular Physics, and Optics, Optometry and Vision Sciences. The CFUM was evaluated as Excellent by the by the Portuguese Science Foundation
(http://www.fisica.uminho.pt). The city of Braga is a multicultural and not expensive city located in the Minho region and around 57km from Porto (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Braga). Porto international airport is around
45 km from Braga.

Requirements: The candidate should have experience working in Matlab, C and C++. Knowledge of image processing analysis and basic and applied colorimetry are recommended.

Salary: 980 euros/ month, (social security included). Grant contracts are exempted from income tax. 

Application: Interested candidates are invited to send a curriculum vitae including a brief statement of research interests. These documents should be sent by e-mail to: jadiaz@ugr.es or jmanuel@fisica.uminho.pt.
Please indicate on your submission “Research position PTDC/CTM-MET/113352/2009”.