Introduction & context
Diverse biosensing techniques have beenactively developed over the last decades, utilizing nanofabrication forelectronic and photonic sensors. At imec, we are developing such state-of-the-art biosensors including solid-statenanopore devices for single-molecule DNA/protein sequencing, on-chipsuper-resolution microscopy for multi-omics imaging, and nano-scale FET (field-effecttransistor) devices for single-biomolecule detection, just to name a few. In particular, the ability of site-selectivebiomolecule functionalization at submicron-scale is highly desirable forincreasing the sensitivity and specificity of biosensors. It is also beneficialto be compatible with the CMOS chip fabrication environment and hence gives adirect route towards high-volume manufacturing. However, many existingsubmicron-scale selective functionalization methods still lack eitherscalability or CMOS compatibility due to the use of low-throughput patterningapproaches or non-compatible materials. Therefore, imec has been actively developing various CMOS-compatiblesite-selective surface functionalization methodsfor controlled biomolecule placement at submicron-scale, via wafer-levelprocessing.
In this project, thestudent will contribute towards pushing the limits of the nanoscale surfacepatterning of biomolecules. The student will first perform materialcharacterizations of the nano-patterned semiconductor chips supplied from imec'sstate-of-the-art cleanrooms, followed by applying organo-silane self-assembled monolayer (SAM) coatings andsite-selective immobilization of biomolecules using the methods established inour laboratories. For example, SAMcoatings include azide layer for biomolecule immobilization via click-chemistry(Nobel prize in 2022) and polyethylene oxide layer for antifouling ofbiomolecules. Further, other additional methods (e.g., DNAorigami nanostructures, 2D materials, lipid layers) can be also explored. Suchvarious types of coatings can be patterned on a single chip surface atnano-scale with a high-precision using the imec-developed sacrificial-layerlithography approach. The surface compositionand morphology after each process will be investigated by a set ofcomplementary characterization methods including infrared spectroscopy,ellipsometry, contact angle, and microscopy measurements. The proper attachmentof biomolecules on the flat surface or the 3D nano-structures will be evaluated by diversetechniques such as confocal fluorescence microscopy, scanning electronmicroscopy, and atomic force microscopy. We will explore novel ideas for nano-patterningmaterials, surface coating chemistries, biomolecule immobilization strategies, andsurface characterization methods.
Your main responsibilities
Competences expected
Type of internship: Master internship
Required educational background: Chemistry/Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
University promotor: Annelies Delabie (KU Leuven)
Supervising scientist(s): For further information or for application, please contact Seungkyu Ha (< email slettet af sikkerhedsmæssige årsager >) and Karolien Jans (< email slettet af sikkerhedsmæssige årsager >)
The reference code for this position is 2026-INT-096. Mention this reference code in your application.
Only for self-supporting students.
Applications should include the following information:
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Diverse biosensing techniques have beenactively developed over the last decades, utilizing nanofabrication forelectronic and photonic sensors. At imec, we are developing such state-of-the-art biosensors including solid-statenanopore devices for single-molecule DNA/protein sequencing, on-chipsuper-resolution microscopy for multi-omics imaging, and nano-scale FET (field-effecttransistor) devices for single-biomolecule detection, just to name a few. In particular, the ability of site-selectivebiomolecule functionalization at submicron-scale is highly desirable forincreasing the sensitivity and specificity of biosensors. It is also beneficialto be compatible with the CMOS chip fabrication environment and hence gives adirect route towards high-volume manufacturing. However, many existingsubmicron-scale selective functionalization methods still lack eitherscalability or CMOS compatibility due to the use of low-throughput patterningapproaches or non-compatible materials. Therefore, imec has been actively developing various CMOS-compatiblesite-selective surface functionalization methodsfor controlled biomolecule placement at submicron-scale, via wafer-levelprocessing.
In this project, thestudent will contribute towards pushing the limits of the nanoscale surfacepatterning of biomolecules. The student will first perform materialcharacterizations of the nano-patterned semiconductor chips supplied from imec'sstate-of-the-art cleanrooms, followed by applying organo-silane self-assembled monolayer (SAM) coatings andsite-selective immobilization of biomolecules using the methods established inour laboratories. For example, SAMcoatings include azide layer for biomolecule immobilization via click-chemistry(Nobel prize in 2022) and polyethylene oxide layer for antifouling ofbiomolecules. Further, other additional methods (e.g., DNAorigami nanostructures, 2D materials, lipid layers) can be also explored. Suchvarious types of coatings can be patterned on a single chip surface atnano-scale with a high-precision using the imec-developed sacrificial-layerlithography approach. The surface compositionand morphology after each process will be investigated by a set ofcomplementary characterization methods including infrared spectroscopy,ellipsometry, contact angle, and microscopy measurements. The proper attachmentof biomolecules on the flat surface or the 3D nano-structures will be evaluated by diversetechniques such as confocal fluorescence microscopy, scanning electronmicroscopy, and atomic force microscopy. We will explore novel ideas for nano-patterningmaterials, surface coating chemistries, biomolecule immobilization strategies, andsurface characterization methods.
Your main responsibilities
- Application and optimizationof site-selective biofunctionalization protocol
- Characterization ofdiverse self-assembled monolayers
- Characterization ofdiverse selectively immobilized biomolecules
- Explore improvedsurface coating and characterization strategies for specific binding andantifouling of diverse biomolecules
Competences expected
- Background in (Bio)Chemistry,(Bio)Nanotechnology, (Bio)Physics, Chemical Engineering, or MaterialsEngineering
Type of internship: Master internship
Required educational background: Chemistry/Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
University promotor: Annelies Delabie (KU Leuven)
Supervising scientist(s): For further information or for application, please contact Seungkyu Ha (< email slettet af sikkerhedsmæssige årsager >) and Karolien Jans (< email slettet af sikkerhedsmæssige årsager >)
The reference code for this position is 2026-INT-096. Mention this reference code in your application.
Only for self-supporting students.
Applications should include the following information:
- resume
- motivation
- current study
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
