Postdoctoral Researcher in Plasma Etching of Microfluidic Devices

Job title:

Postdoctoral Researcher in Plasma Etching of Microfluidic Devices

Company:

Job description

Offer DescriptionThe Faculty of Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, µFlow Cell, is looking for a postdoctoral researcher.µFlow Cell is a multidisciplinary research group of the VUB that works on the upscaling of microfluidics for pharmaceutical, biotechnological or medical applications.
µFlow Cell is recognized and supported by VUB as a Group of Excellence in Advanced Research (GEAR). The group has several research lines that are further developed with the financial support of the Brussels Government via Innoviris, the Flemish Government via FWO and VLAIO, the European Union via Horizon Europe, or through direct collaborations with interested companies.To support the activities of µFlow Cell, VUB is also building a new cleanroom (MICROLAB) for microfabrication in silicon and glass for microfluidics, which will be operational in the third quarter of 2024. MICROLAB has a floorspace of 550 m², of which 300 m² will be equipped with the most advanced machines for every essential production step in microfabrication.µFlow Cell is now looking for a postdoctoral researcher who will participate in the project ‘Novel Approaches for Halogen-free and Sustainable Etching of Silicon and Glass (HaloFreeEtch)’. This project is supported by the European Innovation Council (EIC) as a Pathfinder project, part of the Challenge ‘Responsible Electronics’. In the next 4 years, starting 01/09/24 teams of the VUB, Technical University Chemnitz, Fraunhofer ENAS, University of Graz, PlasmaSolve, LioniX, and Warrant Hub, will research and develop halogen-free plasma etching processes. The µFlow Cell team of Prof. De Malsche will focus on halogen-free etching of glass, making use of the latest state-of-the-art plasma equipment at the new core facility MICROLAB.While the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) is banning the use of fluorochemicals because of their detrimental effects on the environment and health, the European Commission (EC) has launched the European Chips Act to bring semiconductor manufacturing back to Europe. The only way to merge both ambitions is to develop novel semiconductor manufacturing processes, free from fluor and other halogen compounds. With MICROLAB and the HaloFreeEtch project the µFlow Cell wants to make a significant contribution to this transition.The postdoctoral researcher will at least be responsible for the following tasks.

• Plasma etching process development for glass and silicon using halogen-free precursors.
• Design and implement machine modifications (hardware and software) to enable these novel processes.
• Design and fabrication of microfluidic chips in silicon, glass and polymers.
• Design and construction of new experimental setups in which the chips can be tested.
• Design, conduct, analyse and report experiments.
• Interact with other academic researchers and industrial research groups.
• Prepare and attend technical meetings with internal or external customers.
• Contribute to writing scientific publications with the team
• Co-supervise master and interact with PhD students working on related topics
• Maintain order, safety and quality in his/her workspace.

For this function, our Brussels Humanities, Sciences & Engineering Campus (Elsene) will serve as your home base.Where to apply E-mailwim.de.malsche@vub.beRequirementsResearch Field Engineering » Materials engineering Education Level PhD or equivalentSkills/QualificationsThe candidate has a PhD in Physics, Chemistry, Bioengineering, Electronics, Electromechanics, Electricity, Materials, Microfabrication, nanotechnology, or equivalent.The following additional technical/functional knowledge is appreciated.

• Expertise and at least 3 years of hands-on experience in plasma etching of silicon/glass.
• Expertise and at least 3 years of hands-on experience with other essential microfabrication steps such as lithography, CVD, PVD, …
• Knowledge and hands-on experience with microfluidics, and devices such as biosensors.
• Familiarity with cleanroom and lab environment.
• Candidate must be adept at researching professional literature and patents.
• Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English is essential, knowledge of Dutch or other languages is a plus.
• ICT: excellent knowledge of basic software packages Excel, Word, Outlook, Powerpoint, and use of machine software are essential. Knowledge of Solidworks or similar CAD programs, Matlab, Labview, and PLC is a plus.

For this position, we expect the following personality.

• Hands-on mentality.
• Sense of initiative and flexibility.
• Strong in scientific analysis and reporting.
• Working with high self-imposed standards for quality and accuracy.
• Able to work both autonomously and in a team.
• Strong in multi-tasking.
• Willing to occasionally work overtime to meet specific deadlines.

Reporting
The candidate will be supervised by Prof. Wim De Malsche.
For the HaloFreeEtch project, the candidate will work in a team of 4-5 colleagues. This team is embedded in a larger group of 15-20 researchers working on microfluidics.Languages ENGLISH Level ExcellentResearch Field Engineering » Materials engineering Years of Research Experience 1 – 4Additional InformationBenefitsYou’ll be offered a full-time postdoctoral position, for 24 months, extendable on condition of the positive evaluation of the project activities (with the duration depending on the available funding), with a planned starting date 01/09/2024.At the VUB, you’re guaranteed an open, involved and diverse workplace where you are offered opportunities to (further) build on your career.As well as this, you’ll enjoy various benefits:

• Full reimbursement for your home-work commute with public transport according to VUB policy, or compensation if you come by bike;
• Cost-free hospitalization insurance;
• The space to form your job content and continuously learn via VUB LRN;
• Excellent facilities for sport and exercise;
• Ecocheques;
• Delicious meals at attractive prices in our campus restaurants;
• An open, family-friendly work environment where attention is paid to work-life balance, and exceptional holiday arrangements with 35 days of leave (based on a full-time contract).

Additional commentsFor 50 years, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel has stood for freedom, equality, and connectedness. These values are strongly present on our campuses, in our students, and our staff. At the VUB, you’ll find a diverse collection of personalities: pure innovators and especially people who are 100% their authentic selves. With about 3.500 employees, we are the largest Dutch-speaking employer in Brussels, an international city with which we are all too happy to be connected, and around which our four campuses are located.Our education and research are grounded in the principles of free research with an eye on human progress. We disapprove of every purely authoritative argument and guarantee the free formation of judgment necessary for this basic principle to be incorporated into the community.The VUB is autonomous and managed democratically. As such, we guarantee fundamental freedoms within our university, as well as the right of the university community to be involved in making and checking university policy.The mission of the university includes:

• the development, transfer, and application of high-standing academic education and scientific research, free from any prejudice;
• community integration of this in a spirit of social compassion;
• critical development of everyone in light of the responsibilities borne in the community.

Work Location(s)Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute VUB – µFlow Cell Country Belgium State/Province Outside U.S./Canada City Brussels Postal Code 1050 Street Pleinlaan 2Contact State/ProvinceBrussels-Capital Region CityBrussel WebsiteStreetPleinlaan 2 Postal Code1050 E-Mailwim.de.malsche@vub.beSTATUS: EXPIREDShare this page

Expected salary

Location

Bruxelles

Job date

Sun, 21 Jul 2024 03:45:37 GMT

To help us track our recruitment effort, please indicate in your email/cover letter where (vacanciesineu.com) you saw this job posting.