Postdoc Understanding Multimodal Interaction With Neural Tissue

Ready to shape the future of neural interfacing? Our upcoming Postdoc role at TU Delft combines ultrasound, electronics, and neuroscience for groundbreaking peripheral nerve modulation.

Job description
We are seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher in Neural Interfaces: Ultrasound Neuromodulation of Peripheral Nerves to join our team at TU Delft, Department of Microelectronics. This full-time position is funded for 2.5-3 years (contract duration to be confirmed with candidate and project timelines at the interview stage) with a start date as soon as possible, no later than June 2025. The role is an integral part of the European projects NerveRepack and SPARCLE, as well as the prestigious Gravitation programme DBI2, where you will collaborate with international experts in electronics, electrode fabrication, biophysical modeling, and neuroscience. You will be involved in pioneering the development of neural cuffs integrated with ultrasound transducers, working towards precise and steerable neuromodulation of the peripheral nervous system. Our research has progressed from initial prototype development to current in vitro and ex vivo validation studies.

In this position, you will perform electrical and ultrasound stimulation of neurons in both in vitro and ex vivo systems, and monitor neural activity using advanced electrophysiology and voltage imaging techniques. You will be responsible for developing and optimizing instrumentation for neural stimulation and recording with state-of-the-art hardware, as well as designing and implementing electronics for dense ultrasound transducer arrays to enable beam steering and beamforming. Additionally, you will build and refine experimental setups for neuromodulation research, collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of experts, and contribute to scientific publications, presentations, and project reports. We offer access to world-class facilities in neural interfacing, electrophysiology, and ultrasound neuromodulation, along with a collaborative environment that includes support from a PhD student specializing in biophysics. This role provides unique opportunities to engage with leading researchers across Europe through our project networks. Last but not least, you will be part of the young and motivated Bioelectronics research team at TU Delft. You will collaborate and supervise PhD and/or MSc students working on several aspects of active neural implants, allowing you to expand the scope of your research project.

Job requirements
We are looking for a motivated candidate who:

• Hold a PhD in electronics, biomedical engineering (with a prior degree in electronics), physics, or a related field,
• Possess strong expertise in electronics, instrumentation, and acoustic wave propagation,
• Has an solid understanding of neural signal analysis and processing is essential, along with experience using modeling tools such as COMSOL, K-Wave, or Neuron,
• A strong interest in neural dynamics at the molecular, cellular, and system levels is expected,
• You have excellent communication skills and you are able to work effectively within a multidisciplinary, international team. You show a problem-solving attitude and a strong desire to stay up-to-date with recent advancements. You are able to work independently and are eager to take initiative and responsibility as required by this and other projects. You are structured, collaborative and team-oriented and interested in assisting with the guidance of a small group of researchers.
• An affinity for working at the interface with other disciplines (biomedical engineering, neuroscience, electrophysiology, biomedical signal processing, etc.) and with clinicians and medical researchers is essential,
• Has preferred experience includes hands-on expertise in in vitro or ex vivo neural stimulation and recording, as well as a proven track record in designing, building, and optimizing experimental setups,
• Very good English communication skills are required,
• Familiarity with advanced microfabrication techniques is considered an advantage.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science
The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three scientific disciplines. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we all use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make completely sustainable and future-proof. At the same time, we are developing the chips and sensors of the future, whilst also setting the foundations for the software technologies to run on this new generation of equipment – which of course includes AI. Meanwhile we are pushing the limits of applied mathematics, for example mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. In other words: there is plenty of room at the faculty for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1000 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science.

Conditions of employment

• Duration of contract is 2.5-3 years.
• A job of 36-40 hours per week.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.

Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Dr. Vasiliki Giagka, Principal Investigator, email: v.giagka@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 15 March 2025, via the application button and upload the following documents:

• CV
• Motivational letter

You can address your application to Dr. Vasiliki Giagka.

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• For the final candidates, a knowledge security check will be part of the application procedure. For more information on this check, please consult Chapter 8 of the National Knowledge Security Guidelines. We carry out this check on the basis of legitimate interest.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

36 - 40 hours per week

Mekelweg 5