Postdoctoral Researcher – Nanopore Proteomics and AI-Driven Single-Molecule Sensing

Research & Development – Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA

Join imec’s multidisciplinary research team in Cambridge and contribute to a pioneering program at the intersection of nanopore sensing, protein analysis, polymer-enabled bioengineering, and machine learning.

About the role

imec is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher – Nanopore Proteomics and AI-Driven Single-Molecule Sensing to contribute to the development of a fundamentally new approach for single-molecule protein characterization.

Proteins are central to biological function and disease, yet existing protein analysis technologies remain limited by complexity, cost, throughput, or laboratory infrastructure requirements. In this project, you will help establish a new paradigm for scalable single-molecule proteomics using CMOS-compatible solid-state nanopores combined with programmable molecular engineering strategies and machine learning-enabled signal analysis.

Working closely with international collaborators, including leading researchers in polymer chemistry, semiconductor technologies, and life sciences, you will investigate how engineered polymer-protein constructs can influence nanopore transport dynamics and generate rich electrical signatures suitable for protein discrimination and classification.

This is a one-year postdoctoral appointment based in Cambridge, Massachusetts and offers the opportunity to contribute to a high-impact, multidisciplinary research program with the potential to advance future diagnostic and biosensing technologies.

What you will do

As a Postdoctoral Researcher, you will conduct experimental and computational research focused on nanopore-based protein sensing and single-molecule analysis.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Design and execute nanopore experiments using CMOS-compatible solid-state nanopore platforms.
• Characterize protein and polymer-protein translocation dynamics through nanopores under varying electrical and biochemical conditions.
• Develop experimental protocols for nanopore-based protein fingerprinting, trapping, and characterization.
• Generate and analyze large-scale single-molecule datasets acquired from high-bandwidth nanopore systems.
• Extract and characterize translocation signal features including dwell times, current blockades, event morphology, and voltage-dependent behavior.
• Develop, implement, and validate machine learning workflows for protein classification and signal interpretation.
• Investigate relationships between molecular structure, nanopore transport behavior, and measured electrical signals.
• Collaborate closely with polymer chemists, semiconductor specialists, device engineers, and life-science researchers.
• Contribute to the development of multiplexed protein sensing assays and next-generation nanopore platforms.
• Apply quantitative and physical modeling approaches to interpret experimental results.
• Present research findings at international conferences and contribute to publications in leading scientific journals.
• Support proposal development and contribute to strategic research activities within imec’s life sciences and healthcare programs.

Who you are

• You hold a PhD in Physics, Bioengineering, Electrical Engineering, Nanotechnology, Biophysics, Biomedical Engineering, Computational Biology, Chemistry, or a related discipline.
• You have hands-on experience with nanopore sensing, biosensors, single-molecule analysis, microfluidics, electrophysiology, or related experimental techniques.
• You have experience analyzing complex experimental datasets using Python, MATLAB, or comparable scientific programming environments.
• You have strong quantitative skills and are comfortable connecting experimental observations with physical models.
• You have a track record of high-quality scientific research and publications.
• You have strong communication skills and enjoy working in multidisciplinary and international research teams.
• You are self-motivated, scientifically curious, and comfortable working in a highly collaborative R&D environment.

Experience in one or more of the following areas is considered highly desirable:

• Solid-state nanopores and nanopore signal processing.
• Semiconductor-based biosensing technologies.
• Single-molecule biophysics.
• Protein characterization and biomolecular interactions.
• Machine learning, deep learning, or statistical signal processing.
• High-bandwidth electronic measurement systems.
• CMOS technologies and integrated sensor platforms.
• Microfluidics and lab-on-chip systems.
• Data science workflows for large experimental datasets.

What we do for you

At imec USA, you will have the opportunity to work at the forefront of semiconductor technology, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and single-molecule sensing while collaborating with leading researchers across imec’s global organization.

This one-year postdoctoral appointment offers:

• An annual salary of $90,000.
• 100% employer-paid medical insurance for the employee.
• 50% employer-paid medical insurance for eligible dependents.
• Access to state-of-the-art nanopore fabrication and measurement infrastructure.
• The opportunity to work with imec’s unique CMOS-compatible nanopore technology.
• Collaboration with leading academic, scientific, and industrial partners in the United States and internationally.
• A dynamic, multidisciplinary research environment spanning semiconductor technology, life sciences, data science, and biotechnology.
• Opportunities to publish research, present at international conferences, and contribute to the translation of emerging technologies into future healthcare and life-science applications.

This position is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.