Biophysical Ultrasound Characterization Engineer

Enable a new generation of ultrasound-based bio-medical systems 

What you will do 

Imec is undertaking an aspiring research and development effort to enable a new generation of ultrasound-based bio-medical systems. This effort aims to revolutionize the ability to non-invasively probe and interface with the central nervous system. We approach this moon-shot effort as an internal start-up for which a focused team is being composed, combining expertise in neurobiology, acoustics, electrophysiology and system prototyping. To reinforce our tiger team, we are looking for an entrepreneurial minded Biophysical Ultrasound Characterization Engineer.  

Your main focus will be to challenge the novel probing and interfacing concept in an experimental lab setting, in vitro and in vivo, and as such steer the development of a novel acquisition system using a combination of physical modalities. Your goal will be to enable the detection of low SNR signals using high-sensitivity electronics and noise de-embedding techniques thereby pushing the boundaries of brain activity measurements. Your work will be closely interlinked with simulation work run by the Systems Architect to define the (sub)system requirements. To conduct your experiments, you will master novel measurement setups, designed and built with your input, and you will undertake high-precision characterization thereof.  

As the project touches upon unexplored territory of human machine interfacing, you will be working in an iterative mode of de-risking pragmatically coming up with solutions as technical challenges and biological boundary conditions pose along the way.  

In this job, your main activities will be: 

To conduct experimental measurements, you will design and construct an in-vitro ultrasound phantom setup. 
In close collaboration with your colleagues with expertise in Multiphysics and Neurobiology, you will translate the in-vitro setup into a setup suited for conducting in-vivo experiments. 
You will perform testing of low-noise electrical readout electronics with high-frequency multichannel acquisition systems. 
You will perform ultrasound characterization and data analysis of your experiments. 
You will maintain a high standard of literature knowledge to support your activities and contribute to IP asset creation. 
You will be given the unique chance to pioneer human machine interfacing using cutting-edge technology from imec, the world-leading R&D and innovation hub in nanoelectronics and digital technologies.