Senior Researcher – Liquid Sensing Applications 

Turning breakthrough liquid sensing technologies into real-world impact

Sensing technologies are essential to many of the transitions society is facing: From improving human health and food quality, to advancing sustainable production and environmental monitoring. At imec in Wageningen, within OnePlanet Research Center, we combine world-class semiconductor and silicon technologies with deep application knowledge to develop the next generation of sensor systems. 
 
Our teams develop photonic, electrochemical, and biological sensing solutions, translating innovation into practical applications in health, agriculture, food processing and environmental monitoring. Some of our work is high-risk, high-gain exploratory research; other work is application-driven development in close collaboration with industrial and research partners. 

As a Researcher – Liquid Sensing Applications, you will play a central role in turning promising sensing technologies into meaningful applications. You will become one of our in-house experts in sensing and analysing complex liquid matrices - ranging from surface water and biological fluids to dairy products and beverages. You will connect scientific insight, application needs, and technology development. You will work in an interdisciplinary team of researchers, engineers, data scientists, and domain experts, and help shape innovations that can make a real-world impact.

What you will do

As a Researcher - Liquid Sensing Applications, you connect application needs to sensing technologies. You evaluate multiple technologies, identify challenges and advantages of each and adopt the most suitable one. You device a research plan and turn innovative ideas into a validated prototype.  

You will: 

• Identify challenges in domains such as health, food, environmental monitoring, agriculture, and industry, and translate them into sensing concepts and technical requirements. 
• Develop and validate novel liquid sensing applications using photonic, electrochemical, biological and other advanced sensor technologies. 
• Initiate, shape, and lead research and development projects aligned with company strategy. 
• Design and execute experiments, analyze measurement data, and generate insights together with data scientists and technology experts. 
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and external partners to develop prototypes and demonstrators for real-world applications. 
• Communicate results to partners and stakeholders through reports, presentations, publications, and intellectual property generation. 
• Manage project activities and adapt research directions based on emerging insights, technical results, and stakeholder needs. 

What we do for you

We offer a challenging and international environment at the forefront of technology, in an international network of renowned industrial customers. This is your opportunity to bring new technologies to the market that will have an impact on tomorrow’s society.  

OnePlanet Research Center is a multidisciplinary collaboration agreement between Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Radboud University, Radboudumc and imec. The Netherlands, as an employer of choice, offers you an attractive compensation and benefits package including a 100% employer paid pension plan and flexible working hours. Furthermore, imec-NL offers a wide range of training possibilities.  
  
At the same time OnePlanet is a collaboration of 3 renowned and globally respected research institutes/universities. By joining the OnePlanet team, you will be part of a team of world changers, disruptive innovators and practical thinkers. Here, your ideas will have an impact on our future lives.  

Who you are

You are an independent researcher who enjoys exploring new application areas and translating scientific insights into impactful sensing solutions. You thrive in multidisciplinary environments and are comfortable navigating uncertainty in innovative research projects. 

You bring: 

• A PhD in physics, analytical chemistry, engineering, biomedical sciences, food science, environmental sciences, or a related discipline. 
• Hands-on research experience in liquid sensing, sensor development, analytical measurement technologies, or a closely related field. 
• Experience in one or more application domains such as biomedical sensing, food quality, environmental monitoring, water quality, agriculture, industrial processes, or security. 
• Affinity or experience with nanotechnology. 
• A strong background in experimental design, measurement methodologies, data analysis, and validation. 
• The ability to independently drive research topics while effectively collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and external partners. 
• Experience leading projects, coordinating stakeholders, or contributing to collaborative research programs. 
• Curiosity, adaptability, and the ability to turn ambiguity into new research opportunities. 
• Excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken. 

Nice to have: 

• Experience in industry or public-private research collaborations. 
• Experience in bringing research results towards prototypes, demonstrators, or application validation. 
• Knowledge on optical sensors. 

IMEC and its affiliates will not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. IMEC will consider unsolicited referrals and/or resumes submitted by vendors such as search firms, staffing agencies, professional recruiters, fee-based referral services and recruiting agencies (hereafter “Agency”) to have been referred by the Agency free of charge. IMEC will not pay a fee to any Agency that does not have a prior written agreement with IMEC, validated by its HR department, in place regarding a specific job opening and allowing to submit resumes.

Interested

If you wish to apply, please submit your complete resume and a cover letter. For more information about the position, please contact Frank Wolfs, Talent Acquisition Lead, at Frank.Wolfs.ext@imec.nl.