Nanopatterning of organic molecules for bio- and photovoltaic applications
About the vacancy
Process Engineering
Chemical
R&D Other
About Your Next Job
Are you a Master student in Physics, Chemistry, Life Sciences & Technology (or related fields) and looking for a final master project?
We are looking for a highly motivated person to join our R&D team. This internship provides a unique opportunity to work both in a start-up enviroment as in the establed research institude AMOLF.
The goal of this project is to develop a nanocontact printing technique to create nanopatterned films of organic molecules for biotech and photovoltaic applications. During this internship you’ll develop a new fabrication method to make our DNA curtains possible. You will develop a platform based on soft nano contact printing to create biofunctional nanopatterns with organic layers like streptavidin. Working with fluorescent inks on PEG-functionalized glass, you’ll use TIRF microscopy to optimize the patterns.
Next to our bioaplication, you will use the developed technique for photovoltaic applications. You will adjust the ink formulation to a TOPO-based ink and will adjust the printed feature size, with the aim of maximizing the efficiency of metal halide perovskite solar cells.
The project will start on Sept 1st 2026 for a duration of 6-10 months (depending on the critera by the university). This is a full time (32h) position.
About Your Next Colleagues
This is a shared project between the 3D Photovoltaics group at AMOLF and 1NA. Most of the work shall be carried out at AMOLF in Amsterdam, with the opportunity to perform DNA curtains experiments at 1NA located at the Leiden Bio Science Park.
About Your Tasks and Responsibilities
What will you do:
- Optimize ink composition and printing parameters for the Ink-Subtract-Print protocol to balance adhesion, transfer efficiency, and pattern resolution.
- Fabricate and characterize nanopatterned Si master wafers with 10–1000 nm features using e-beam lithography, SEM, and AFM.
- Perform soft nano contact printing with PDMS stamps to transfer molecular nanopatterns onto glass and perovskite substrates.
- Functionalize glass substrates with PEG mixtures and assess pattern quality using TIRF microscopy.
- Optimize feature sizes for DNA trapping on streptavidin patterns. Extensive testing of the streptavidin patterns by forming DNA curtains
- Optimize TOPO-based inks in perovskite solar cells, using PLQY measurements to evaluate performance
About Your Skills and Experience
Required:
- Currently enrolled in a Master's degree program in Chemistry, Physics, Life Science & Technology, or a related field, for the whole duration of the project.
- Motivated to work in both a reserach institude and a start-up environment
- Willing to travel daily to Amsterdam Science Park.
Desired skills and experience
- Ability to work carefully and independently, and as part of a team.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Preferably hands on experience in a chemical lab.
About Your Benefits
AMOLF Energy Research Academy: AMOLF offers a special program for research internships in sustainable energy science. It is composed of a research project in one of AMOLF’s research groups, combined with a series of dedicated tutorials on fundamental aspects of the science behind sustainability technology. Admission to this Academy is only possible in combination with a research internship project at AMOLF.
Where Molecules Meet Opportunities
AMOLF Energy Research Academy: AMOLF offers a special program for research internships in sustainable energy science. It is composed of a research project in one of AMOLF’s research groups, combined with a series of dedicated tutorials on fundamental aspects of the science behind sustainability technology. Admission to this Academy is only possible in combination with a research internship project at AMOLF.
Only apply if...
Please note that this intership will be mainly carried out at AMOLF in Amsterdam!
How to Apply
Please submit the following materials:
- Resume
- Cover letter explaining your motivation and relevant experience
- Availability (start date and desired duration)
- List of followed courses plus grades.
We only consider applications submitted in English
Applications should be sent to:
Yorick Bleiji - y.bleiji@1na.nl
or can be submitted at
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
For more information about the project, feel free to contact us.
You are eligible to work in EU
We only accept applicants who are eligible to work in the EU
Contact person
Yorick Bleiji
No video available
1NA is a start-up dedicated to the advancement of DNA Curtains, a technology conceived by Prof. Eric C. Greene at Columbia University, which presents a novel method for analyzing protein-DNA interactions, distinguished by its capability to amass thousands of data points within one measurement, marking a pivotal shift in high-throughput research. The objective of 1NA is to make this technology available to users from academic laboratories to broader biotech and pharmaceutical sectors.