Postdoctoral Researcher - Experimental Biophotonic

Location: Cambridge, MA / imec USA
Salary Range: $80,000 – $90,000 annually, plus benefits

About imec

Imec is a world-leading research and innovation center in nanoelectronics and digital technologies, with more than 5,500 employees working across Belgium, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Imec’s research spans advanced semiconductor and system scaling, silicon photonics, artificial intelligence, sensing, and health and life sciences applications.

Within imec’s Lab and Exploratory Devices department, our group focuses on the development of novel tools for healthcare applications. Our research investigates techniques and tools based on silicon nanotechnology, including biosensors, microfluidics, novel imaging modalities, and non-invasive molecular detection techniques. More specifically, we conduct research on novel photonic platforms, including integrated photonics that are tightly integrated with electronics.

For a new collaborative project between imec and MIT, we are seeking an enthusiastic researcher who is eager to help shape tomorrow’s healthcare technologies. This role will contribute to research and development at the highest international level, with relevance for the biomedical and pharmaceutical industries.

The Role

As an Experimental Biophotonic Researcher, you will work on advancing real-time biosensing using integrated optics and novel biochemical assays. You will be responsible for managing and executing R&D activities while collaborating across sites with MIT researchers and engineers from imec USA and imec Belgium who are working on healthcare technologies.

You will be involved in project definition, project management, and project execution. This includes designing experiments, building experimental setups, collecting and analyzing data, and presenting results to customers, project partners, and the broader scientific community. You may also present findings at international conferences and contribute to scientific publications.

You will be embedded within imec USA and will functionally report to the Belgium-based biophotonics team.

Key Responsibilities

• Advance real-time biosensing technologies using integrated optics and novel biochemical assays.
• Design, plan, and execute experimental research activities.
• Build, optimize, and maintain experimental setups.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret experimental data.
• Collaborate closely with MIT researchers and imec teams in the United States and Belgium.
• Contribute to project definition, planning, execution, and reporting.
• Present research findings to internal stakeholders, customers, project partners, and at international conferences.
• Contribute to scientific publications and technical documentation.
• Support cross-site communication and alignment between research groups and project partners.

Qualifications

• PhD in biophysics, physics, chemistry, nanotechnology, engineering, or a related field.
• Experience with molecular analysis workflows.
• Comfortable handling biological samples.
• Hands-on experience with experimental design, building research setups, and data analysis.
• Experience with integrated photonics, optical biosensors, fluorescence, and/or optical spectroscopy is considered an asset.
• Experience with chemometrics is a plus.
• Self-motivated, innovative, results-driven, and collaborative.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to connect cross-site research groups and project partners.
• Professional proficiency in English to work effectively in imec’s international environment.
• Willingness to travel occasionally to Belgium for onboarding and periodic project reporting.

Compensation and Benefits

The annual salary range for this position is $80,000 – $90,000, plus benefits.

imec offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, retirement benefits, paid time off, and other employee programs, subject to applicable eligibility requirements.