DNA hybridization detection with EGFETs

Imec India Private Limited; Vlaams-Brabant; Sur place; EUR 13 000 - 18 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Allowance for non-Belgian student

Résumé du poste

imec in Leuven is offering a PhD internship focused on DNA hybridization detection with Extended-Gate FETs, aiming to deliver a fully integrated real-time biosensing platform.

You will electrically and electrochemically characterize liquid-gated EGFET sensors, study surface functionalization effects on sensitivity, and operate a probe station with a microfluidic setup to vary electrolytes; reference 2026-INT-142.

Qualifications

• PhD internship focusing on biosensing with EGFETs.
• Strong foundation in chemistry, biosciences, nanotechnology or materials engineering is required.
• Experience with electrical/electrochemical characterization beneficial.

Responsabilités

• Conduct electrical and electrochemical characterization of liquid-gated EGFET sensors.
• Evaluate different surface functionalization procedures on sensitivity.
• Operate probe station and microfluidic setup to exchange electrolytes.
• Benchmark performance with dose–response curves, drift and noise analyses.

Connaissances

Analytical thinking

Lab skills

Electrical measurement

Formation

PhD candidate in chemistry/engineering/biology

Background in bioscience/nanoscience/materials

Outils

Electrochemical workstation

Probe station

Description du poste

/ DNA hybridization detection with EGFETs

DNA hybridization detection with EGFETs

PhD internship - Leuven | More than two weeks ago

Explore DNA hybridization detection with Extended-Gate FETs for a fully-integrated real-time biosensing platform

Liquid-gated extended-gate Field-Effect Transistors (EGFETs) leverage the robustness and scalability of commercial CMOS technology while enabling direct interaction with (bio)chemical environments using an exposed electrode which is connected to the FET's gate. By post-processing commercial CMOS wafers we fabricated EGFET chips with varying EGFET dimensions. This internship focuses on the advanced electrical and electrochemical characterization of these liquid-gated EGFET sensors, aiming to evaluate their potential as fully integrated biosensing platforms. More specifically, the detection of DNA hybridization will be explored and the impact of different surface functionalization procedures on the sensitivity will be evaluated. During this project the student will electrically characterize the standard liquid-gated FET IdVg characteristics, sensor stability and hybridization sensitivity across varying electrolyte conditions and surface functionalization protocols. The electrical measurements will be executed on a probe station while a microfluidic setup enables the automated exchange between different electrolyte conditions. Benchmarks include dose-response curves, drift, hysteresis, and noise characteristics. The project results will contribute to the development of a fully-integrated real-time biosensing platform.

Type of internship: PhD internship

Duration: 6 months

Required educational background: Chemistry/Chemical Engineering, Bioscience Engineering, Electrotechnics/Electrical Engineering, Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, Materials Engineering

University promotor: Pol Van Dorpe (KU Leuven)

The reference code for this position is 2026-INT-142. Mention this reference code in your application.

Imec allowance will be provided for students studying at a non-Belgian university.

Liquid-gated extended-gate Field-Effect Transistors (EGFETs) leverage the robustness and scalability of commercial CMOS technology while enabling direct interaction with (bio)chemical environments using an exposed electrode which is connected to the FET's gate. By post-processing commercial CMOS wafers we fabricated EGFET chips with varying EGFET dimensions. This internship focuses on the advanced electrical and electrochemical characterization of these liquid-gated EGFET sensors, aiming to evaluate their potential as fully integrated biosensing platforms. More specifically, the detection of DNA hybridization will be explored and the impact of different surface functionalization procedures on the sensitivity will be evaluated. During this project the student will electrically characterize the standard liquid-gated FET IdVg characteristics, sensor stability and hybridization sensitivity across varying electrolyte conditions and surface functionalization protocols. The electrical measurements will be executed on a probe station while a microfluidic setup enables the automated exchange between different electrolyte conditions. Benchmarks include dose-response curves, drift, hysteresis, and noise characteristics. The project results will contribute to the development of a fully-integrated real-time biosensing platform.

The reference code for this position is 2026-INT-142. Mention this reference code in your application.

Imec allowance will be provided for students studying at a non-Belgian university.

imec's cleanroom