Junior Research Fellow – MicroLED neuro devices for multimodal actuation and neurostimulation in the brain

Organisation/Company

INL

Department

Human Resources

Research Field

Physics

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Portugal

Application Deadline

27 Jul 2023 - 23:00 (Europe/Lisbon)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

40

Offer Starting Date

1 Sep 2023

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

H2020

Reference Number

101070908

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Junior Research Fellow – MicroLED neuro devices for multimodal actuation and neurostimulation in the brain

Job Reference: Ref.06.23.34

Employer: International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL)

Location: Braga, Portugal

Group/Unit: Ultrafast Bio- and Nanophotonics (UBNP

Number of Vacancies: 1

Employment Type: Full time

Contract Duration: 36 months

Open Date for Applications: June 28th, 2023

Closing Date for Applications: July 27th, 2023, 23h00m (Lisbon Time)

Key words: #nanotechnology, #microLED, #nanofabrication, #optoelectronics

Overview

The UBNP research group is composed by an international and interdisciplinary team of physicists, chemists and bioengineering researchers that study light-matter interactions and their deployment in biomedical imaging, quantum sensing and light-based computation. Together with collaborators across the globe we advance the fundamental knowledge of light-matter interactions and develop nanotechnologies within the frame of our three strategic research lines “Advanced Bioimaging and Sensing”, “Quantum Photonics” and “Integrated Photonics”.

The project aims to unlock access to completely novel neuromodulation paradigms, dramatically reducing the invasiveness of currently available neuro devices while enabling multimodal distributed brain stimulation with unprecedented spatiotemporal precision. It is based on the convergence of a multiplicity of stimulation modalities (electrical, mechanical, thermal, ionic concentration, optogenetics), combined with miniaturized wireless energy harvesting and communication between implantable microbots and neuromorphic computing systems with onboard intelligence. One of the challenges includes the development of novel power-efficient and compact microLED optoelectronic array platform for flexible integration in implantable devices which will greatly facilitate multimodal actuation and neurostimulation in the brain.

INL participates in the Scientific Research and Technological Development project CROSSBRAIN: Distributed and federated cross-modality actuation through advanced nanomaterials and neuromorphic learning, funded by the European Innovation Council, with the code 101070908.

Job Duties

The job duties will be the following:

1.     Study of literature related to semiconductor photonic light sources (microLEDs), and optogenetic neuromodulation methods using LEDs

2.     Develop work which comprises the design, modelling, fabrication, and advanced characterization of red and near-infrared microLEDs based on the light-based group III-V (GaAs and GaInP-based) platform technology;

3.     The design research work includes studies of light-emitting arrays to realize disruptive power-efficient light-based brain stimulation with unprecedented spatiotemporal precision. The work entails i) epi-layer semiconductor material design using quantum simulators, ii) tailor external and internal quantum efficiency in III-V materials for efficient microLEDs, and iii) nanostructuring and passivation methods for GaAs-based and InGaP-based III-V materials;

4.     The experimental work comprises fabrication and advanced static and dynamic electro-optical characterization of microLEDs. The work shall be performed at INL state-of-the-art cleanroom and electronics/optics laboratory facilities;

5.     Collaborate in the multimodal distributed brain stimulation application of CROSSBRAIN platform with our collaborators across Europe;

6.     Summarize the performed work in form of laboratory reports, and group seminar presentations, as well as preparing material for presenting in international consortium meetings and for scientific dissemination, e.g. at conferences and for publications in international scientific journals.

Mandatory Qualifications

Education

• MSc in physics, physics engineering, photonics and optoelectronics, micro- and nanoengineering, material science and engineering, or similar

Experience

• Microfabrication, nanofabrication or related, specifically manufacturing of optoelectronic devices and/or LEDs;
• Electronics, optics and optoelectronic systems.

Technical Skills

• Photonics integrated circuit design and “hands-on” experience on CAD design tools;
• “Hands-on” experience with photonic simulation tools (e.g., mode solvers, finite-difference methods, e.g. Ansys Lumerical, COMSOL or similar);
• “Hands-on” experience on software for quantum simulators (e.g. Silvaco, nextnano, or similar) for calculating electronic properties of quantum devices (e.g. simulating multi-quantum wells) is positively evaluated;
• Programming for data analysis or device control (e.g. Python, Labview, Matlab, Origin, Excel or related);
• Literature study.

Other Skills

• Have a good knowledge of English/Fluency in English is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience and knowledge of semiconductors, III-V compound materials, low- dimensional nanostructures (e.g. quantum dots, wires, wells), solid-sate emitters (LEDs, lasers), or other optoelectronic devices is preferred.

Personal Skills

• “Hands-on” approach together with a high commitment in respecting working deadlines;
• Problem Solving ability;
• Customer orientation;
• Ability to work independently and as team player;
• Good communication skills.

Our Benefits

• Competitive salary;
• Tax benefits and other Diplomatic privileges;
• Private health insurance;
• Family allowances (according to family situation);
• Free nursery service at INL premises (subject to availability);
• Support for education fees of dependent children;
• Relocation support;
• 30 working days of annual leave.

How to Apply

The application must be in English and include the following mandatory documents:

a)     Cover letter;

b)     Curriculum Vitae;

c)      Academic and/or Professional diplomas;

Online application instructions:

Important note:

Incomplete applications including the failure to provide mandatory documents or providing inaccurate information will result in the application not being considered.

How the Selection Process works
 

A. Applications eligibility check

This stage will be carried out on the basis of the mandatory requirements, education, experience and technical skills defined for the job, as well as the validation of the mandatory documents. Only candidates who meet the eligibility criteria will move forward to the next stage.

B. CV Assessment

The Selection Committee will evaluate the eligible applications based on their CV and other submitted documents and the suitability for the position. The best ranked candidates will be shortlisted for the interview stage(s).

C. Interview(s)

The interview(s) may be done in different formats: video recording, online or onsite.

The question based interview will evaluate the match between the candidate’s profile and the requirements for the position, including the technical and personal skills. To better support this stage, the candidate may be requested to prepare a short presentation.

D. Nomination

The selected candidate will be nominated and formally offered the position, including the disclosure of the contractual conditions. 

Additional Information

Application feedback

We highly value your interest in becoming part of the INL experience and it is important for us to maintain good communications with all candidates. No matter the outcome of your application, we will always provide you with feedback.

Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Principle

INL follows a non-discrimination and equal access principle, wherefore no candidate can be privileged, benefited, impaired or deprived of any rights whatsoever, or be exempt of and duties based on any possible discriminatory issues.

The advertisement deadline may be extended at any time without previous notice in order to improve the suitability and effectiveness of the recruitment process.

About INL

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory – INL (http://www.inl.int ), is the first and only Intergovernmental Organisation in the world entirely focused on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.

It was founded under an international legal framework to perform interdisciplinary research, deploy and communicate nanotechnology for the benefit of society. INL aims to be a recognised leading global nanotechnology innovation hub.

Research Field

Physics

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

INL

Country

Portugal

Geofield

Website

https://app.jobvite.com/j?cj=ouGGnfwX&s=Euraxess

City

Braga

Website

http://inl.int

Street

Av. Mestre José Veiga, S/N

Postal Code

4715-330