Open Positions at i-BRAIN

Introduction

i-BRAIN – the Institute for Brain Research, Advanced Interfaces and Neurotechnologies – is a highly-interdisciplinary research institute focused on developing transformative brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) that blur the distinction between electronics and the brain. Founded by world-reknown scientist Prof. Charles Lieber, i-BRAIN will enable groundbreaking research to understand the brain and brain diseases as well as breakthrough technologies for treatment of neurological and neurodegenerative diseases for the near-term but also enable future advances and treatments that today may be considered the realm of science fiction. Additionally, i-BRAIN will instill a positive and highly interdisciplinary culture in the training of young scientists, engineers and doctors such that they are prepared to lead the development of science and engineering as well as the translation of ideas into commercial technologies that benefit present and future generations!

Positions and Qualifications

1. Associate/Assistant Investigators

Core Responsibilities:

• 1) Conduct independent research under the supervision of the Principal Investigator (PI) of the research group.
• 2) Lead nonhuman primate (NHP) research efforts focused on implementation of novel electrophysiological probe technologies within the context of cognitive and motor disease models.
• 3) Assist with rodent research efforts focused on implementation of novel electrophysiological probe technologies for model studies and treatments of neurodegenerative disease and stroke.
• 4) Assist in academic manuscript preparation.
• 5) Mentor postdoctoral researchers, students, and research assistants.
• 6) Independently or collaboratively assist the PI in applying for research grants.
• 7) Support lab management tasks.

Qualifications & Requirements:

• 1) Ph.D. and/or postdoctoral research experience from a leading research institution or university.
• 2) Strong background in neuroscience or related field with demonstrated independent research capabilities and extensive experimental experience.
• 3) Experience with NHP surgery, neural probe implantation, as well as cognitive and related studies.
• 4) Experience with rodent disease models, electrophysiology and histology.
• 5) Proven track record of high-quality publications as the first or corresponding author.
• 6) Proficient in English for academic communication.
• 7) Strong passion for exploring new research directions.
• 8) Excellent communication, teamwork skills, and academic integrity.

2. Research Assistants 

Core Responsibilities:

• 1) Assist Associate/Assistant Investigators, postdoctoral fellows and graduate students with research activities.
• 2) Conduct research under the supervision of the PI.
• 3) Support daily laboratory operations and management.

Qualifications & Requirements:

• 1) A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field, such as biology, chemistry, physics, neuroscience, applied physics, data science, bioengineering, chemical engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, materials science, neurology, or regenerative medicine.
• 2) Proficiency in English for effective communication.
• 3) Strong passion for exploring new research directions.
• 4) Excellent communication skills, teamwork abilities, and academic integrity.

3. Director of the i-BRAIN Nanofabrication Facility

Director of the NanoFab, supports high-impact research and education by providing cutting-edge instrumentation and first-class technical expertise and training to its users.

Core Responsibilities:

• 1) Ensure optimal performance and reliability of core facility equipment through proactive maintenance planning.
• 2) Coordinate full-cycle procurement processes of major research equipment, including needs assessment, budget planning, vendor negotiations, acceptance testing, and asset lifecycle management.
• 3) Lead recruitment, technical training, and daily operations of facility staff, while managing user access systems such as equipment reservation and usage tracking, and implementing performance evaluation frameworks.
• 4) Establish training programs (checkout/certification) for self-users and maintain management systems for the NanoFab, including safety protocols, operational guidelines, and emergency response plans.
• 5) Develop and optimize standard operating protocols (SOPs) for clean-room/fabrication tool workflows, and supervise the development of training materials for open-access equipment.
• 6) Design innovative service packages with competitive pricing models, and prepare comprehensive operational reports covering utilization metrics, financial performance and research outcomes.
• 7) Execute strategic initiatives and special projects as directed by institutional leadership team.

Qualifications:

• 1) PhD in electrical engineering, applied physics, materials science or related disciplines; senior-level candidates with core facility management experience preferred.
• 2) Minimum 3 years’ proven track record in managing clean-room/fabrication tools within academic or research institutions.
• 3) Advanced expertise in electron beam lithography (EBL) systems, photolithography mask aligner, direct-write maskless aligner, electron beam evaporators and wet bench operations with working knowledge of cutting-edge platforms such as deep-UV ASML stepper photolithography systems.
• 4) Hands-on technical proficiency coupled with passion for technological innovation in NanoFab.
• 5) Proven leadership abilities to mentor technical teams and foster interdisciplinary collaborations.
• 6) Strong service-orientation with exceptional communication skills and commitment to user-centered operations.
• 7) Demonstrated experience in managing government-funded procurement programs for scientific instrumentation and fixed asset inventory systems.
• 8) English proficiency. Overseas experiences are preferred.

4. Lab Manager (PhD + Postdoc Experience) 

Core Responsibilities:

• 1) Financial Management: Oversee annual lab budgeting, fund allocation, and reimbursement processes, ensuring compliance with financial regulations.
• 2) Equipment Procurement Coordination: Manage end-to-end procurement of lab equipment, including needs assessment, vendor negotiations, order tracking, and quality inspection.
• 3) Lab Safety & Training: Develop and update lab safety protocols, conduct quarterly safety training (chemical handling, biosafety, and emergency drills).
• 4) Task Assignment & Supervision: Oversee the timely preparation of research reports working with group members and the PI.
• 5) Animal Protocol Compliance:
  • – Lead the design and ethical review of experimental protocols for rodent (Rodent) and non-human primate (NHP).
  • – Monitor regulatory updates to ensure full compliance with guidelines.
• 6) Website development:In charge of lab website development and content updates, integrating research and resource-sharing features.
• 7) Research Outreach Strategies: Organize annual lab open-house events, draft press releases for key findings, and manage social media promotion.
• 8) Candidate Prescreening: Support the PI in preliminary screening of postdoc applicants.
• 9) Oversee Facility Maintenance: Oversee and assist with routine equipment inspections and coordinate professional repairs or preventive maintenance.
• 10) Miscellaneous Duties: Handle ad hoc tasks assigned by the PI and participate in cross-departmental meetings.

Qualifications:

• 1) PhD degree in a scientific discipline (e.g., biology, chemistry, neuroscience) preferred.
• 2) Minimum 3-year working experience in laboratory management (preferably across chemical and neuroscience labs).
• 3) Proficiency in equipment maintenance and compliance protocols.
• 4) Excellent verbal and written communication skills; fluency in English and Chinese.
• 5) Strong attention to detail, problem-solving, and multitasking abilities.
• 6) Proactive, trustworthy, and adaptable to a diverse, fast-paced environment.

5. PI Assistant 

Core Responsibilities:

• 1) Daily Operations Coordination: Manage PI and lab calendars, schedule group meetings, seminars, etc.
• 2) Meeting & Travel Logistics:
  • – Organize weekly lab meetings, reserve meeting rooms/virtual links, and document minutes.
  • – Assist in travel arrangements for the PI and team members (flights, hotels, conference registration).
  • – Coordinate academic visits, including guest, refreshment arrangements.
• 3) Communication & Documentation: Manage correspond, maintain email archives.
• 4) Research Supply Management:
  • – Procure reagents and consumables from suppliers, maintain inventory records.
  • – Track orders, manage returns, and verify invoices.
• 5) PI Academic Profile Maintenance: Regularly update the PI’s CV, personal webpage, and related profiles (e.g., website, social media).
• 6) Recruitment Support:
  • – Screen application material for lab positions, compile candidate profiles, schedule interviews.
  • – Maintain candidate databases and track interview feedback.
• 7) Miscellaneous Support: Assist with reimbursement documentation, lab access management, and new member onboarding.

Qualifications:

• 1) Master degree in a scientific discipline preferred.
• 2) Minimum 3-year working experience in research group.
• 3) Excellent verbal and written communication skills; fluency in English and Chinese.
• 4) Strong attention to detail, problem-solving, and multitasking abilities.
• 5) Proactive, trustworthy, outgoing and adaptable to a diverse, fast-paced environment.

6. Position Title: Senior Process Engineer (EBL) 

Position Summary:

This role is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and process development of the EBL system and the associated resist spin/coating, development, and cleaning wet benches. The engineer will also support procurement and inventory of specialty materials such as resists, solvents, and substrates critical to high-resolution e-beam patterning.

Process Engineers will play a key role in developing robust fabrication processes, maintaining tool performance, ensuring high uptime, writing and updating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and supporting users across a broad range of research and prototyping activities.

Key Responsibilities:

• 1. Operate, maintain, and develop nanolithography processes on the EBL system.
• 2. Optimize high-resolution patterning workflows using PMMA, ZEP, HSQ, and other e-beam resists.
• 3. Maintain and operate associated wet benches, including resist coating, development, and cleaning stations.
• 4. Calibrate and maintain EBL equipment (beam alignment, stage performance, system stability).
• 5. Coordinate with vendors for servicing and updates.
• 6. Procure and manage inventory of chemicals, substrates, and supplies.
• 7. Write and update SOPs and safety documentation.
• 8. Train users and assist with e-beam pattern design and dose calibration
• Procure and manage inventory of chemicals, resists, substrates, and miscellaneous supplies related to e-beam lithography.

Required Qualifications:

• 1. Bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Applied Physics, or related field.
• 2. Hands-on experience in cleanroom environments, with at least five year working directly with high-resolution EBL systems (e.g., Raith, Elionix, JEOL), sub-20 nm features, and multi-layer resist processing
• 3. Strong documentation and communication skills, especially in writing SOPs and technical reports.
• 4. Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.
• 5. Fluency in English&Chinese and strong communication skills in an international, collaborative environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 1. Master’s or Ph.D. in a relevant technical field.
• 2. Experience with EBL, KrF stepper lithography, or advanced patterning techniques.
• 3. Previous work in a university shared facility, semiconductor fab, or national lab setting.

7. Position Title: Senior Process Engineer(KrF Stepper)

Position Summary:

This role is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and process development of the KrF Stepper and the integrated photoresist coating and development track. Responsibilities span process tuning, stepper calibration, reticle handling, and system troubleshooting.

Process Engineers will play a key role in developing robust fabrication processes, maintaining tool performance, ensuring high uptime, writing and updating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and supporting users across a broad range of research and prototyping activities.

Key Responsibilities:

• 1. Operate and maintain the KrF Stepper (248 nm) and coater/developer track system.
• 2. Optimize photolithography processes for various resists and substrates.
• 3. Handle reticle loading, alignment, and CD control.
• 4. Perform preventive maintenance and work with vendors for calibration and service.
• 5. Write and maintain SOPs and documentation for all associated processes and tools.
• 6. Train users on photoresist processing and stepper operation
• 7. Coordinate with process teams for lithography integration with etch/deposition steps.
• 8. Procure and manage inventory of chemicals, resists, substrates, and miscellaneous supplies related to KrF lithography.

Required Qualifications:

• 1. Bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Applied Physics, or related field.
• 2. Hands-on experience in cleanroom environments, with at least five year working directly with high-resolution KrF Stepper systems (e.g., ASML), and multi-layer resist processing.
• 3. Strong documentation and communication skills, especially in writing SOPs and technical reports.
• 4. Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.
• 5. Fluency in English&Chinese and strong communication skills in an international, collaborative environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s or Ph.D. in a relevant technical field.
• Experience with KrF stepper lithography, or advanced patterning techniques.

8. Position Title: Senior Process Engineer(PL)

Position Summary:

The i-BRAIN Nanofabrication Facility is seeking a skilled Photolithography Engineer to lead the operation, maintenance, and process development of mask aligners, maskless aligners (laser writers), and photoresist wet benches. This role is critical in supporting standard-resolution lithography workflows for device prototyping, training users, maintaining high tool uptime, and ensuring reliable patterning across a range of substrates and resists.

Key Responsibilities:

• 1. Operate and maintain mask aligners (e.g., SUSS MA6) and maskless aligners (e.g., Heidelberg DWL or equivalent laser writers) and optical microscope.
• 2. Optimize photolithography recipes including soft/hard bake, exposure, development, and alignment strategies.
• 3. Maintain and operate associated wet benches, including resist coating stations, hotplates, and developers.
• 4. Perform mask handling, alignment mark calibration, backside alignment, and focus adjustments.
• 5. Develop lithography processes for a wide range of resists (positive, negative, image reversal).
• 6. Perform preventive maintenance and coordinate vendor servicing or system upgrades.
• 7. Write and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and safety documentation.
• 8. Train users in photolithography workflows and support device layout translation and pattern transfer.
• 9. Procure and manage inventory of resists, solvents, masks, substrates, and photolithography accessories.
• 10. Interface with process teams to support integration into etch, deposition, or bonding flows.

Required Qualifications:

• 1. Bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or a related discipline.
• 2. Minimum of 5 years’ hands-on experience operating and maintaining mask aligners or laser writers in a cleanroom setting.
• 3. Strong understanding of photolithography fundamentals, including resist processing and pattern transfer.
• 4. Demonstrated ability to write SOPs, technical documentation, and training materials.
• 5. Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary and international environment.
• 6. Fluent in English&Chinese, both written and spoken.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s or Ph.D. in a relevant technical field.
• Experience with maskless lithography, grayscale writing, or alignment-sensitive applications.
• Previous work in a university shared facility, semiconductor fab, or national lab setting.

9. Position Title: Process Engineer(PVD)

Position Summary:

This role will oversee operation and maintenance of electron-beam evaporators and other physical vapor deposition (PVD) tools used for thin-film metal and dielectric deposition.

Key Responsibilities:

• 1. Operate and maintain e-beam evaporators (multi-pocket, load-locked systems).
• 2. Develop thin-film processes for materials such as Ni, Cr, Au, Pt, etc.
• 3. Characterize film thickness, adhesion, step coverage, and purity.
• 4. Handle target material loading, chamber cleaning, and vacuum maintenance.
• 5. Monitor and maintain tool calibration (crystal monitor, deposition rate).
• 6. Manage material inventory (pellets, crucibles, wafers).
• 7. Write and maintain SOPs, safety documentation, and maintenance logs.
• 8. Train users and support process integration for superconducting and neural probe devices.

Required Qualifications:

• 1. Bachelor’s degree or higher in Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• 2. At least 2 years of hands-on experience operating and maintaining PVD systems (especially e-beam evaporators), plasma ashers, and surface metrology tools such as profilometers.
• 3. Strong understanding of vacuum technology, thin-film deposition principles, and film characterization techniques.
• 4. Familiarity with cleanroom safety protocols and standard micro/nanofabrication workflows.
• 5. Excellent documentation and troubleshooting skills, particularly in writing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and maintenance logs.
• 6. Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary team.
• 7. Fluency in English&Chinese, with the ability to communicate effectively in an international working environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s or Ph.D. in a relevant technical field.
• Previous work in a university shared facility, semiconductor fab, or national lab setting.

Application Guide

1. For Associate/Assistant Investigators, Research Assistants applicants, please provide the following materials in English 

• 1) Curriculum Vitae, including full publication list and technical expertise.
• 2) Research statement (max. 3 pages), outlining current research summary and future plans, and personal strengths relevant to the research.
• 3) 2-3 recommendation letters (for Associate/Assistant Investigator applications), sent directly to Click to show encoded email.
• 4) Any other relevant supporting documents.

Please send the above materials in PDF format. (The subject of the email: name + Position applied)

2. For Director of the i-BRAIN Nanofabrication Facility,Lab Manager,PI Assistant,please provide the following materials in English

• 1) CV.
• 2) Other materials that can illustrate capabilities.

Please send the above materials in PDF format and the applicant’s self-introduction to Click to show encoded email.

(The subject of the email: name+Nanofab director,name+Lab manager, or name+PI assistant).