Scientific Assistant to Engineer -Generation Neural Interfaces

Scientific Assistant to Engineer Next-Generation Neural Interfaces

The brain is a very complex system consisting of billions of neurons that interact with one another. Capturing this network activity at a single-cell level from multiple brain areas is essential for understanding how the brain performs all of its cognitive functions. Existing methods to interface with the brain have limitations in either temporal resolution, biocompatibility or the ability to reach deep brain areas.

To solve this problem, we developed Ultra-Flexible Tentacle Electrodes (UFTEs), consisting of fibers one order of magnitude smaller than hair (2.4 um x 7 um cross-sectional area). These electrodes allowed us to record single-unit activity from multiple brain areas in freely-moving rodents with almost year-long stability. Unlike existing stiff electrodes, UFTEs are not recognized by the brain's immune system. UFTEs provide a higher signal-to-noise ratio than state-of-the-art flexible electrodes (Yasar & Gombkoto et al.,

Nature Communications, 2024 ).

While we have demonstrated in vivo validation of UFTEs, further steps are necessary to enable widespread adoption as an advanced research tool within the neuroscience community. We received a project grant from Innosuisse to make the UFTEs more user-friendly and scalable, add multimodal recording/stimulation capabilities and adapt them for non-human primate studies. The ultimate goal is to place the UFTEs in the market as an advanced research tool.

• Developing a new MEMS-based scalable assembly and insertion system for our Ultra-Flexible Tentacle Electrodes and supporting its in vivo validation
• Establishing new protocols for characterizing UFTEs and enhancing their long-term stability
• Designing and regular cleanroom microfabrication of UFTEs

This is a 1.5-year position that can start in April 2026 (exact date by agreement). Follow-up positions may be available depending on interest and funding.

• Swiss citizen/permanent resident or EU/EFTA national
• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Microsystems Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Biomedical Engineering or similar
• Required skills/knowledge:
  Micro- or nanofabrication and characterization in a cleanroom environment, 2D and 3D design (Autocad, Solidworks etc.) and prototyping, basic electronics and circuit design skills, assembly/manipulation of microscopic components
• Ability to work independently on a project to its successful completion and establish new fabrication/testing protocols based on literature review
• Excellent problem-solving skills
• Strong communication skills (both verbal communication and written documentation) and the ability to work well in a team
• (Optional) Already having worked in FIRST Lab (ETH Zurich) and still having access there would be a significant advantage

• An opportunity to step into the exciting fields of neural interfaces and neuroscience in a highly interdisciplinary environment at a world-leading university
• Being on the frontier of making our neural implant technology market-ready for commercialization
• The full lifecycle where you don't just design and build devices, but you also get to see them in action with in vivo brain-machine interface applications
• Access to a strong network of neuroscientists and engineers at the Institute of Neuroinformatics, Neuroscience Center Zurich (ZNZ) and our collaborating labs worldwide
• Flexibility in working hours and place. While most of your work time will be split between the lab and cleanroom, we support home-office for mechanical/electrical design work

We look forward to receiving your online application with…