We are looking for a highly motivated and ambitious PhD candidate to design, fabricate, and characterize diamond-based microelectrodes for the development of biosensors.

Electrochemical sensors are powerful tools for the fast detection of biomolecules in fluids, and are becoming of critical importance in, among other application fields, clinical analysis and diagnostics. This project focuses on diamond-based microelectrodes that could enable the development of competitive, resilient but affordable electrochemical sensors. The choice for conductive diamond as electrode material offers great advantages due to its chemical stability, wide potential/detection window, and self-cleaning features, among others. One of the key challenges is to establish a novel simplified fabrication approach of diamond microelectrodes for the development of a reliable and highly sensitive diamond sensor prototype. Another challenge is to tune the electronic and materials properties of the electrodes towards optimized non-enzymatic detection of key physiological substances, which will be studied by electrochemical techniques, combined with electrodes' surface modification studies.

The candidate must hold a MSc degree in Chemistry, Materials Science/Engineering, or equivalent, with a solid background in experimental work. You should have an intrinsic motivation for research and experimentation with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities. Proven expertise on surface chemistry and/or electrochemistry as well as hands-on experience with relevant materials and surface characterization techniques (e.g. SEM, AFM) would be advantageous. Moreover, you should be comfortable with teamwork in a multi-disciplinary environment and should have good written and oral communication skills in English.

The expected starting date is 1 October 2018.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount for health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. An International Children’s Centre offers childcare and an international primary school. Dual Career Services offers support to accompanying partners. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.

As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment; an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor; and a Doctoral Education Programme aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills. Please visit http://www.tudelft.nl/phd for more information.

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) is a multifaceted institution offering education and carrying out research in the technical sciences at an internationally recognised level. Education, research and design are strongly oriented towards applicability. TU Delft develops technologies for future generations, focusing on sustainability, safety and economic vitality. At TU Delft you will work in an environment where technical sciences and society converge. TU Delft comprises eight faculties, unique laboratories, research institutes and schools.

https://www.tudelft.nl

Faculty Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering

The Department of Precision and Microsystems Engineering (PME) of the Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering (3mE) focuses on developing knowledge and methods for small, innovative high-precision devices and systems, such as precision equipment and scientific instrumentation for the high-tech industry. Increasing miniaturisation and function density, and improving precision, speed and reliability are the key topics in our work. Our approach is multidisciplinary, fundamental and inspired by industry needs. 

The vacant position is in the Micro and Nano Engineering  (MNE) research group. The group focuses on exploiting nanoscience concepts to create technologies for the extreme miniaturisation of high-tech systems and for improving accuracy and reliability of scientific instrumentation. Our research topics span from measuring and manipulating materials at the nanometre scale, to the design of reliable microsystems, to the alignment and assembly at the micro-scale.

https://www.tudelft.nl/en/3me