Postdoc position on “Nanophotonic biosensors”

Position (Post-doctoral) Researcher

Irène Curie Fellowship No

Department(s) Applied Physics and Science Education

Institutes and others Eindhoven Hendrik Casimir Institute

FTE 1,0

Date off 09/06/2024

Reference number V34.7463

Job description

The Molecular Plasmonics group (www.molecular-plasmonics.nl) together with the Photonics Integration group (https://www.tue.nl/en/research/research-groups/photonic-integration) at Eindhoven University of Technology (The Netherlands) have an open postdoc position (2 years) on “nanophotonic biosensors”. In this project you will design, fabricate, and test integrated photonic sensors with the aim to push the sensitivity to the single-molecule level.

Background
The widely recognized need for more personalized, patient-centered healthcare requires the development of easy-to-use and sensitive biomedical devices that are capable of detecting specific biomolecules. Nanophotonic structures are increasingly used for biosensing because they transduce the presence of a certain analyte into a large optical signal. This provides avenues toward label-free detection of biomolecules by sensitively monitoring frequency shifts of resonances in e.g., photonic crystals and ring resonators. Applications of these technologies stretch from biophysics to healthcare and environmental monitoring. The sensitivity of these devices is typically limited to several hundred molecules at best, far from the ultimate single-molecule sensitivity.

About the project
You will design novel nanophotonic sensors with the aim to push the sensitivity of these devices and reach the single-molecule limit. You will fabricate the sensors in the Nanolab cleanroom facility in TU/e and together with a PhD student already employed on the project you will experimentally push the limits of the biosensors in terms of sensitivity and specificity.

About the groups
You will be supervised by Peter Zijlstra (Molecular Plasmonics group) and by Yuqing Jiao (Photonics Integration group) at TU/e.

The Molecular Plasmonics group is at the department of Applied Physics and is part of the Molecular Biosensing research cluster (~40 researchers). The group performs leading research on optical single-molecule sensing technologies, focusing on nanoplasmonic and nanophotonic sensors. The team is multidisciplinary and hosts physicists and physical chemists who collaborate in a close-knit team. The lab hosts a range of state-of-the-art single-molecule microscopes in optical laboratories, as well as wet-chemical labs where sensors are functionalized and integrated with fluidics.

The Photonics Integration (PhI) group performs leading-edge research into semiconductor-based technology for photonic integration and its applications. The research in the group focuses on developing InP and Si technology, heterogeneous integration, and miniaturization by combining active and passive components on the InP on Si platform.

You will become part of the Eindhoven Hendrik Casimir Institute, a new institute that brings together photonics, electronics and quantum technology at TU/e. The institute unites researchers from the departments of Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, Mathematics, Biomedical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. With a focus on societal needs the EHCI develops technologies in computing, communication, and sensing.

Job requirements

We welcome applications from candidates with a PhD in nanophotonics, integrated photonics, or similar. Experience with numerical simulations and cleanroom fabrication is a must, while affinity with biosensing is an advantage.

Conditions of employment

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for 2 years.
• Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale 10 (min. €3,877 max. €5,090).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs on general skills, didactics and topics related to research and valorization.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• Partially paid parental leave and an allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A TU/e Postdoc Association that helps you to build a stronger and broader academic and personal network, and offers tailored support, training and workshops.
• A Staff Immigration Team is available for international candidates, as are a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) and a compensation for moving expenses.

Information and application

Eindhoven University of Technology is an internationally top-ranking university in the Netherlands that combines scientific curiosity with a hands-on attitude. Our spirit of collaboration translates into an open culture and a top-five position in collaborating with advanced industries. Fundamental knowledge enables us to design solutions for the highly complex problems of today and tomorrow. 

Information
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more?
Please contact the hiring manager dr. P. Zijlstra, p.zijlstra[at]tue.nl.
Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact HR Services Flux, HRServices.flux[at]tue.nl
Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application
If interested, please use the 'apply now'-button at the top of this page. You should upload the following:

• a one-page cover letter explaining your motivation, your research experience, and your suitability for the position;
• a detailed Curriculum Vitae, including a list of publications;
• contact information of two references;
• your PhD thesis, or a link to your thesis.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.