Job Opportunity: Development of Ultra-Flexible Tentacle Electrodes (UFTEs)
The brain is a remarkably complex system, composed of billions of neurons intricately interacting with one another. Understanding how this network activity drives cognitive functions requires capturing data at a single-cell level across multiple brain areas. Current interfacing methods with the brain often face limitations in temporal resolution, biocompatibility, or the ability to penetrate deep into brain regions. To address these challenges, we have developed Ultra-Flexible Tentacle Electrodes (UFTEs), which are significantly smaller than a human hair (2.4 µm x 7 µm cross-sectional area). These innovative electrodes allow for the recording of single-unit activity from various brain regions in freely-moving rodents, maintaining stability for nearly a year. Unlike traditional stiff electrodes, UFTEs evade detection by the brain's immune system, providing a superior signal-to-noise ratio compared to other leading flexible electrodes (Yasar & Gombkoto et al., Nature Communications, 2024).
Project Overview
While the in vivo validation of UFTEs has been successfully demonstrated, further advancements are needed to facilitate their adoption as advanced research tools within the neuroscience community. Thanks to a project grant from Innosuisse, we aim to make UFTEs more user-friendly and scalable, enhance their multimodal recording/stimulation capabilities, and adapt them for studies involving non-human primates. Our ultimate objective is to position UFTEs as a pioneering research tool in the market.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop a MEMS-based scalable assembly and insertion system for UFTEs, supporting in vivo validation.
- Establish new protocols for characterizing UFTEs and improving their long-term stability.
- Design and regularly fabricate UFTEs in a cleanroom environment.
Position Details
This is a 1.5-year position anticipated to commence in April 2026 (exact start date to be agreed upon). Follow-up positions may be available based on interest and funding.
Qualifications
- Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Microsystems Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field.
- Required skills include micro- or nanofabrication and characterization in a cleanroom environment, 2D and 3D design proficiency (AutoCAD, SolidWorks, etc.), prototyping, and basic electronics and circuit design skills.
- Demonstrated ability to independently manage projects to successful completion and establish new fabrication/testing protocols through literature review.
- Excellent problem-solving skills.
- Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to work well in a team.
- (Optional) Previous experience with FIRST Lab (ETH Zurich) and continued access would be a significant advantage.
What We Offer
- An opportunity to engage in the dynamic fields of neural interfaces and neuroscience within a highly interdisciplinary setting at a leading university.
- Involvement at the forefront of bringing neural implant technology to market readiness for commercialization.
- Experience across the full lifecycle of product development; not only designing and building devices, but also observing their application in in vivo brain-machine interface scenarios.
- Access to an extensive network of neuroscientists and engineers at the Institute of Neuroinformatics, Neuroscience Center Zurich (ZNZ), and collaborating labs worldwide.
- Flexible working hours and locations. While the majority of work will occur in the lab and cleanroom, we support remote work for mechanical and electrical design tasks.
Application Information
We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents:
- CV
- A letter of motivation detailing your interest in this position (maximum one page)
- Two reference letters from previous supervisors/employers
- Transcripts of your Bachelor's and Master's studies
For further information about the department, please visit our website. Inquiries regarding the position should be directed to Dr. Tansel Baran Yasar at yasart@ethz.ch.
Apply online using the form below. Please note that only applications matching the job profile will be considered.