Job description

The Molecular Plasmonics group together with the Photonics Integration group at Eindhoven University of Technology (The Netherlands) have an open postdoc position (2 years) on “integrated nanophotonic biosensors”. The project aims to employ machine learning approaches in the design of integrated photonic sensors 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. 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. Recent advances in the use of machine learning for advanced designs however provide new avenues to manipulate light-matter interaction and vastly improve the sensitivity.

About the project

You will design novel nanophotonic sensors aided by machine learning. The main aim will be 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, chemists, and biomedical engineers that 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 the development of InP and Si technology, heerogeneous 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, electromagnetics or similar. Affinity with machine learning for nanophotonic and/or biosensor design 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) aporximately in INR as of today Min Rs. 347963.46/- and max Rs. 456831.06/-. You can take live exchange here.
• 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.

Documents requried:

• 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.