Industrial Internship

Job content

About miDIAGNOSTICS

miDiagnostics is using silicon chip technology that will bring miniaturized, lab-quality tests with built-in device connectivity and rapid results direct to the patient and clinician. Combining a nano-fluidic processor on a chip and a compact reader, miDiagnostics can measure virtually any biomarker from an easily accessed sample such as a single drop of blood. The Company is developing an extensive portfolio of tests for screening, diagnosis and monitoring of a wide range of health conditions, including infectious diseases. Spun out of the world-leading R&D and innovation hub in nanoelectronics and digital technologies, imec, and a research collaboration with Johns Hopkins University, the leading US research and medical centre, miDiagnostics’ goal is to enable fast, comprehensive and cost-effective health analysis, regardless of location. Based in Leuven, Belgium, miDiagnostics is a privately-held company created in 2015.

The Internship

In the past years, imec has developed a breath sampler capable of capturing airborne viruses, such as the SARS-CoV-2 virus, in exhaled air (https://www.imec-int.com/en/press/imec-signs-licensing-agreement-midiagnostics-commercialize-its-patented-technology-fast-and). Coupled with viral RNA detection and the ultrafast PCR tests developed by miDiagnostics (https://midiagnostics.com/covid-19-pcr-test/), the medical device company specialised in near-patient diagnostic solutions, this technology has the potential to evolve into a new generation of accessible, reliable and sensitive rapid diagnostic tests, essential to effectively monitor and contain new virus outbreaks. Moreover, not requiring the collection of classic biological samples (i.e. blood, saliva or nasal swabs), the breath analyser is highly user-friendly and can be (self-)operated without the need for trained personnel.

To ensure the functionality and robustness of the breath analyser, more researchis required, in particular to optimizeits components geometry and dimensions. To this purpose, we are looking for a highly motivated student eager to collaborate with our R&D team to study and optimize the capture of viral material from exhaled air flow in the breath analyser. The main goal of the student will, therefore, be to develop a representative computational model of the breath analyser, using numerical modelling software. This model will provide valuable insights into the device functioning and will be indispensable to optimize its design.

By working in close collaboration with miDiagnostics, you as a student will have a unique opportunity to explore the highly innovative world of point-of-care diagnostics and to strengthen your knowledge of numerical modelling, pathogen detections and micro- and nanofabrication.

This master thesis or internship position is based in Leuven, Belgium. Non-disclosure agreement is required.

Your profile and competencies

• Education:You have tobe enrolled in a Belgian university in a Master’s degree in Bioscience Engineering , Biomedical Engineering, Nanoscience, Nanotechnology & Nanoengineering, Biophysics or Biochemistry & Biotechnology to be eligible for the internship.
• Languages: Excellent English oral and written is a must.
• Personal skills:Strong problem-solver with "can-do" attitude, able to both pragmatically define solutions and capture and understand all relevant details when necessary.
• Technical knowledge: MS Office products. Numerical modelling software (Ansys and/or COMSOL).
• Timing: We will align our self to the faculty requirements. Preferable start date: summer / September 2022. Available for a minimum of 6 weeks - preferred longer.

We can only accept students with an EEA citizenship (not requiring a work permit or visa to be eligible to perform an internship in Belgium).

The offer

• An internship in a fast-growing and ambitious start-up in the medical diagnostics industry.
• miDiagnostics is an international-oriented company with close connections to two world-class research institutions (imec and Johns Hopkins University).
• Opportunity to learn in a new and exciting cutting-edge field in point-of-care diagnostics.

Interested? Please apply via our career website https://jobs.midiagnostics.com/