Improving Surface Bio-Interfaces for Next-Generation Biosensing Platforms - Internship (4–12 months)

Modern biosensors and lab-on-chip devices depend on robust surface chemistry for the selective detection of biomolecules and cells. At imec, these bio-interfaces are a key enabler for advanced health technologies that combine microfluidics, photonics, and sensing on chip. Examples include platforms for label-free cell characterization in cell therapy workflows and photonic waveguide-based systems for monitoring organ-on-chip models. Optimizing functional coatings in these microfluidic environments is therefore essential to achieve high sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility.

In this internship, the student will help develop and optimize surface functionalization protocols for next-generation biosensing platforms that operate with microfluidic channels. The work will involve preparing and testing tailored surface coatings, evaluating antibody immobilization and target capture, and comparing strategies to improve assay performance. The student will also contribute to methods for assessing the quality of the biofunctionalized surfaces, with a focus on reproducibility, stability, and robustness. To support this, the project will combine laboratory experiments and data analysis using physical characterization, fluorescence imaging, and statistical design-of-experiments. The overall goal is to build robust antibody-based interfaces that improve the performance of biosensors and related lab-on-chip systems.

This internship offers 4–12 months of hands-on research experience in imec’s multidisciplinary innovation environment. It is well suited for a student with an interest in surface chemistry, bio-interface engineering, or microfluidics, and offers the opportunity to gain practical experience with advanced analytical techniques and experimental design. The project includes independent laboratory work under close supervision, combined with data analysis and scientific reporting. The results will contribute to advanced biosensing technologies for diagnostics, cell therapy, and personalized medicine.