Researcher Position in Electrophysiology

Study neural activity using electrophysiology, bioelectronic interfaces and 3D hydrogel cell cultures.

A 1-year researcher position is available in the research group of Achilleas Savva in the Department of Microelectronics at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands.

Our research aims to develop multifunctional bioelectronic interfaces that can monitor, stimulate and interact with biological systems. By combining organic electronic materials, soft hydrogels, microfabricated electrodes and advanced cell culture models, we develop technologies for studying electrophysiological activity and engineering new interfaces with the nervous system.

In this project, you will focus on the electrophysiological characterization of neural cell cultures using microelectrode arrays and soft bioelectronic interfaces. You will work with microfabricated electrode technologies developed within our group and establish experimental protocols for recording and stimulating electrically active cells and tissues.

A major part of your work will involve cell culture and electrophysiological measurements, including the preparation and maintenance of neural cell cultures, integration of cells with electrode arrays and hydrogel constructs, and recording of their electrical activity. You will perform and analyse extracellular electrophysiological recordings to investigate parameters such as neuronal activity, network development and responses to electrical stimulation. You will also investigate how 3D and hydrogel-based culture environments influence cellular electrophysiology.

This will include integrating cells within soft hydrogel constructs and interfacing these constructs with microelectrode arrays to establish reproducible platforms for recording and stimulation. Depending on the project development, you may also contribute to the electrical and electrochemical characterization of electrodes and bioelectronic devices.

An important part of the position will be the development of robust experimental protocols and quantitative analysis pipelines that allow comparison between different electrode technologies, cell culture conditions and hydrogel environments. You will document experimental procedures, analyse and interpret electrophysiological data, and contribute to scientific publications arising from the project.

You will be embedded in the multidisciplinary Bioelectronics research team at TU Delft and work closely with PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers and students developing organic bioelectronics, conducting hydrogels, microelectrode arrays and neural interfaces. The position offers the opportunity to work at the interface of bioelectronics, electrophysiology, cell biology and biomaterials, while contributing to the development of next-generation technologies for monitoring and stimulating neural systems.

Job requirements

• An MSc degree in biomedical engineering, bioengineering, neuroscience, cell biology, electrical engineering, or a related field.
• Hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture, preferably neuronal or stem-cell-derived cultures.
• Experience or a strong interest in electrophysiological recordings and electrical stimulation of cells.
• Familiarity with microelectrode arrays (MEAs) or other electrophysiological recording technologies is highly desirable.
• Experience with hydrogels, biomaterials or 3D cell culture is considered an advantage.
• Strong experimental skills and the ability to analyse, interpret and document quantitative biological and electrophysiological data.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative, while collaborating effectively within a multidisciplinary research team.
• Excellent communication skills and good proficiency in English, both written and spoken.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

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