You will coordinate research activities to design, fabricate, characterize, and optimize the performance of graphene-based neural interfaces for multimodal interaction with brain tissue. You will be part of the vibrant environment of young researchers of the 10-year-long Dutch Brain Interfaces Initiative (DBI2) project, funded by the “Gravitation” programme of the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science. The project aims to bring together a broad and diverse Dutch consortium with expertise in neuroscience, neurotechnology, and computer science to research brain interactions, specifically looking into understanding how each part, from neuron to brain region, interacts with the rest of the brain and with the outside world.

You will fabricate and optimise the implants in the Class 100 cleanroom facility on the TU Delft campus. This part of the project will allow you to apply your expertise and further specialise in silicon-based microfabrication and polymer processing. Moreover, you will design and develop relevant characterisation set-ups and evaluate the electrochemical and stable performance of the implants in multimodal scenarios. Performance optimization and validation will present unique challenges at both system and device levels and require developing innovative designs alongside novel fabrication techniques and processes. Validation will be performed in vitro in-house, and in vivo in our collaborators’ laboratories, where you will work closely with other researchers (Postdocs and PhD candidates) with a neuroscience background. This part of the work will require that you work closely with them to translate in vivo testing specifications into system and device design solutions. The above activities and results will be published in collaborative discipline-specific and multidisciplinary journals, with you operating as a primary and co-first author.

Communication and coordination with several neuroscience partners from research institutes and academia are expected throughout this project. Hence strong communication, collaboration, and project management skills are essential. You will be embedded in the multidisciplinary Implantable Bioelectronics research team at TU Delft, and you will collaborate and supervise PhD candidates working on several aspects of active neural implants, allowing you to expand the scope of your research project.

We are looking for a highly motivated and goal-oriented postdoctoral researcher with a Ph.D. degree in microelectronics, material science, electrophysiology, electrochemistry, bioelectronics and similar fields. You have a strong research mindset and an excellent academic track record, reflected by peer-reviewed journal publications, conference contributions, and international research experience. You have previous experience in microfabrication and polymer processing. Familiarity with electrochemical characterisation of microelectrode arrays (galvanostat/potentiostat) and previous experience in PCB design will be considered a plus. You have a helicopter view and system thinking. You have excellent communication skills and the ability to work in a collaborative team setting. You show a problem-solving attitude and a strong desire to stay up-to-date with recent advancements. You are able to work independently and are eager to take initiative and responsibility as required by this and other projects. You are structured and team-oriented and interested in assisting with the guidance of a small group of researchers. An affinity for working at the interface with other disciplines (biomedical engineering, neuroscience, electrophysiology, biomedical signal processing, etc.) and with clinicians and medical researchers is required for this project, together with very good English communication skills. In case your profile does not meet all aforementioned requirements but you still feel you are a good fit for this vacancy please do not hesitate to apply.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation. An International Children's Centre offers childcare and there is an international primary school.

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three scientific disciplines. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we all use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make completely sustainable and future-proof. At the same time, we are developing the chips and sensors of the future, whilst also setting the foundations for the software technologies to run on this new generation of equipment – which of course includes AI. Meanwhile we are pushing the limits of applied mathematics, for example mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. In other words: there is plenty of room at the faculty for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1000 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science.