Single-molecule patterning at wafer-scale

What you will do

Diverse biosensing techniques have been actively developed over the last decades, utilizing micro/nano fabrication. In particular, the ability of site-selective biomolecule immobilization at nanoscale is highly desirable for increasing the sensitivity and specificity of biosensors. It is also beneficial to be compatible with the CMOS chip fabrication environment and develop direct routes towards high-volume manufacturing for commercialization. However, many existing methods still lack either scalability or CMOS-compatibility due to the use of low-throughput patterning approaches or the use of non-CMOS compatible materials. Therefore, imec is developing a CMOS-compatible site-selective surface functionalization method for controlled biomolecule placement at the nanoscale, utilizing self-assembled monolayer coatings. You will join imec for advancing of this technology and pushing the limits to achieve single-molecule level controllability, which will contribute towards next-generation biosensing and biosynthesis platforms.

Your PhD research activities include, but are not limited to:

• Investigation of novel site-selective biofunctionalization protocols at the nanoscale.
• Characterization and optimization of the diverse geometries, surface properties, and self-assembled monolayer deposition.
• Investigation of reliable single-molecule detection and counting techniques.
• Exploration of strategies for efficient delivery of biomolecules onto the nanostructures.
• Characterization of the biological activity of immobilized single-molecules.
• Literature review.

We are looking for a highly creative and motivated PhD student with the following qualifications and skills:

• You are self-driven and pursue state-of-the-art results.
• You hold (or will obtain in near future) a master’s degree in (Bio)chemistry, (Bio)physics, (Bio)nanoscience, Nanotechnology, Material engineering, Semiconductor engineering, or a related field.
• You are confident with hands-on experiments in laboratory.
• You have strong analytical skills to interpret the obtained research results.
• You can work both independently and as a part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Your English is fluent, being capable of frequent reporting and documentation.
• You are good at time management and multi-tasking.
• Proficiency in programming environments (Python/Matlab) is a plus.
  
   

What we offer

• You will be part of the Health Sector at imec.
• We offer the opportunity to do this research in an international and stimulating environment, with world-class research facilities at imec.
• You benefit from our guidance and vast experience on biochemistry, surface chemistry, and thin film deposition, in addition to the state-of-the-art research infrastructure of the imec clean room and associated characterization labs.
• You will enrich your competences through the PhD trajectory at the KU Leuven and the imec academy development center.
• You will share your insights with imec’s industrial partners and with the international research communities through conferences and publications.