Jan Dedic

- R&D in micro-optics mastering and metrology. - Process development for UV-curable, wafer-level optics. - Micro-optics testing & failure analysis. - Data analysis, algorithm development, automation. - Coordination of product & process development activities between Switzerland and Singapore.

Doctoral thesis at an intersection of optics, spectroscopy, chemistry, and materials science. Main projects undertaken: - Development of a nonlinear spectroscopic approach for detecting protein surface binding. - Various spectroscopic and light scattering studies supported by computational modeling on the supramolecular chemistry of liposomes. - Solving nonlinear light scattering models for non-trivial particle geometries. - Nonlinear microscopy imaging of biological samples. Skills learned: - Planning and execution of R&D activities, and experiment design. - Design, construction, and maintenance of complex free-space optical setups. - Work with high-power femtosecond lasers, and parametric amplifiers. - Wet lab work (sample preparation of soft colloids, emulsions, buffers, polymers, etc). - Sample analysis via dynamic light scattering, spectroscopy (FTIR, UV-VIS, fluorescence, Raman), x-ray scattering, calorimetry, electrophoresis, electrical conductivity, and rheology. - Modelling of nonlinear optical phenomena (second-harmonic and sum-frequency scattering) - Technical and scientific writing, and documentation. - Public speaking, presentation skills, teaching. - Management of collaborations (internal and external).

Process development for bottom-up chemical coating of metallic nanoparticles with oxides layers. Key contributions: - Construction of a chemical reactor with in-situ spectroscopic monitoring of reaction kinetics. - Process optimization via parameter sweep. - Sample imaging with optical and electron microscopy. - Development of an automated image analysis tool for rapid extraction of valuable data. - Simulations and modeling of the optical response + cross-correlation with mechanical data. - Extensive literature review. Main skills learned: - Extensive work with wet lab equipment and electron microscope. - Acquisition and analysis of spectroscopic and image data. - Computational modeling and simulation of optical properties. - Algorithm development, statistical data analysis.

I successfully applied for a small follow-up research project at CEITEC in Brno to perform additional analysis of the samples from my bachelor work. Skills learned: - Writing and defending a project proposal.

Project: Bottom-up nanoparticle self-assembly into supracrystal arrays Key contributions: - Construction of an improvised environmental chamber with controllable temperature and pressure. - Development of a process for gold nanoparticle self-assembly via controlled solution evaporation. - Sample analysis via SEM, AFM, and optical microscopy. Skills learned: - Colloidal chemistry and plasmonics. - Practical work with basic wet lab equipment, and handling of colloids. - Work with various miscroscopy techniques.