Modeling and fabrication of microfluidic channels for optical biosensing devices

Imec; Vlaams-Brabant; On-site; EUR 10,000 - 17,000; Full time

Job summary

imec in Belgium (Vlaams-Brabant) invites Master or PhD internship applicants to work on modeling and fabrication of microfluidic channels for optical biosensing devices. You will design, simulate, and test advanced microfluidics to advance photonic biosensing platforms.

The role covers computational modeling, device design, and experimental validation in imec’s cleanroom and wet lab, with hands-on experience in microfluidics, nanofabrication, and biosensor engineering, contributing to

Qualifications

• Background in physics, engineering, and programming with interest in nano/bio applications.
• Motivation for modeling and hands-on experimental research in microfluidics and biosensing.
• Good data-analysis skills and a systematic problem-solving approach.
• Ability to work independently and in interdisciplinary teams; good English.

Responsibilities

• Model adsorption and diffusion dynamics of biomolecules in microfluidic channels.
• Design microfluidic channels based on modeling results.
• Fabricate the designed microfluidic channels in cleanroom.
• Test the fabricated devices in wet lab with fluorescence microscopy.

Skills

Physics

Engineering

Programming

Data analysis

Microfluidics

Biosensing

English

Education

Mechanical Engineering

Materials Engineering

Physics

Tools

Fluorescence microscopy

Cleanroom fabrication

Computational modeling

Job description

/ Modeling and fabrication of microfluidic channels for optical biosensing devices

Modeling and fabrication of microfluidic channels for optical biosensing devices

Design, modeling, and testing advanced microfluidics to develop next generation photonic biosensing platforms

Your main responsibilities :

• Modelingthe adsorption and diffusion dynamics of biomolecules in microfluidicchannels.
• Designing microfluidic channels based on themodeling results.
• Fabricating the designed microfluidicchannels in cleanroom.
• Testingthe fabricated devices in wet lab with fluorescence microscopy.

You are a highly creative and motivated candidate with apassion for interdisciplinary research and innovation. You are driven to pushboundaries and deliver state-of-the-art results. Ideally, you bring thefollowing qualifications and skills:

• Asolid foundation in p hysics,engineering , a nd programming, with an interest in b io-applications of n anotechnology.
• Motivationto perform m odelingand hands-onexperimental research, and learn relevant techniques and knowledge in microfluidics, nanofabrication, and biosensing.
• Gooddata-analysis skills and a systematic problem-solving approach.
• Abilityto work both independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinaryenvironment, with good written and spoken English.

Type of internship: Master internship, PhD internship

Duration: 5-12 months

Required educational background: Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Physics

Supervising scientist(s): For further information or for application, please contact Seungkyu Ha ( [e-mail] )

The reference code for this position is 2026-INT-300. Mention this reference code in your application.

Only for self-supporting students.

What you will do

Biomolecule sensing is fundamental tobiological research and medical diagnostics, and particularly photonicbiosensors integrated with microfluidics offer a promising route towardhigh-throughput detection and identification of biomolecules. Despite theirpotential, current platforms remain limited by challenges in sensitivity,scalability, and efficient analyte transport. In this internship, the studentwill investigate how biomolecule diffusion and mass transport are influenced bymicrofluidic channel design, sensing-area geometry, and site-selective surfacefunctionalization. The work will combine computational modeling, device design,and experimental validation to optimize analyte delivery toward photonicsensing regions. Numerical simulations will be used to evaluate the effects ofchannel dimensions, flow conditions, surface properties, and sensor placementon detection performance, while microfluidic devices will be fabricated andcharacterized within imec’s research facilities. The internship offers hands-onexperience in microfluidics, photonics, computational modeling, and biosensorengineering, contributing to the development of next-generation lab-on-a-chipdiagnostic technologies.

Your main responsibilities :

• Modelingthe adsorption and diffusion dynamics of biomolecules in microfluidicchannels.
• Designing microfluidic channels based on themodeling results.
• Fabricating the designed microfluidicchannels in cleanroom.

• Testingthe fabricated devices in wet lab with fluorescence microscopy.

Relevantpapers:

• On ‑ chipprotein separation with single ‑ molecule resolution ( https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-72463-z )
• 3Dsimulation of microfluidic biosensor for SARS-CoV-2 S protein binding kineticsusing new reaction surface design ( https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/s13360-022-02470-8 )

Who you are

You are a highly creative and motivated candidate with apassion for interdisciplinary research and innovation. You are driven to pushboundaries and deliver state-of-the-art results. Ideally, you bring thefollowing qualifications and skills:

• Asolid foundation in p hysics,engineering , a nd programming, with an interest in b io-applications of n anotechnology.
• Motivationto perform m odelingand hands-onexperimental research, and learn relevant techniques and knowledge in microfluidics, nanofabrication, and biosensing.
• Gooddata-analysis skills and a systematic problem-solving approach.
• Abilityto work both independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinaryenvironment, with good written and spoken English.

Type of internship: Master internship, PhD internship

Duration: 5-12 months

Required educational background: Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Physics

Supervising scientist(s): For further information or for application, please contact Seungkyu Ha ( [e-mail] )

The reference code for this position is 2026-INT-300. Mention this reference code in your application.

Only for self-supporting students.

imec's cleanroom