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Postdoctoral Research Associate – Embedded Systems for Bioelectronic Actuation and Control
Northwestern University, McCormick School of Engineering
Location: Evanston, IL
Appointment: 2 years (renewable upon performance and funding availability)
Start Date: Q1-Q2 2026
Position Overview
The Rivnay Lab at Northwestern University’s McCormick School of Engineering invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to lead system-level development of integrated electrochemical actuation and sensing platforms.
This position is ideal for candidates with a background in electrical or mechanical engineering who are passionate about building complete devices that bridge electronics, materials, and biology. The postdoc will focus on system integration, embedded control, and wireless communication/power architectures to enable new classes of bioelectronic systems—with potential applications in neurotechnology and living pharmacy devices that interact dynamically with biological tissues and living cells.
Key Responsibilities

  • Design and prototype embedded electronic systems to drive, sense, and control electrochemical actuators.

  • Integrate electronics with sensing elements, energy storage, and wireless power or data transfer modules (e.g., inductive, resonant, or NFC systems).

  • Develop firmware and control algorithms for closed-loop operation, data logging, and communication with external interfaces.

  • Design and test PCBs for actuator drivers, amplifiers, power management, and sensor readouts.

  • Collaborate closely with materials scientists and biologists to interface electronics with soft, biohybrid, or living components.

  • Develop and maintain experimental setups, documentation, and data pipelines.

  • Publish findings in peer-reviewed journals and present results at conferences.

  • Mentor graduate and undergraduate researchers as part of a collaborative interdisciplinary team.

Required Qualifications

  • Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related discipline.

  • Strong experience with embedded systems design, including microcontroller programming (e.g., STM32, ESP32, Nordic, TI MSP430, or similar).

  • Proficiency in firmware development (C/C++/Python) and embedded communication protocols (SPI, I²C, UART, BLE, etc.).

  • Hands-on experience with analog/digital circuit design, signal conditioning, and PCB layout (e.g., KiCad, Altium).

  • Demonstrated ability to prototype and debug integrated hardware/software systems.

  • Excellent written and oral communication skills, and a strong publication record.

Preferred (Highly Desirable) Qualifications

  • Experience with wireless power transfer, battery management, or energy harvesting systems.

  • Familiarity with electrochemical systems, sensors, or actuators (EIS, cyclic voltammetry, impedance control, etc.).

  • Background in mechatronic system design or miniaturized device integration.

  • Experience with real-time data acquisition, signal processing, and closed-loop control.

  • Exposure to biomedical device development, neurotech, or biosensing platforms.

  • Interest in interdisciplinary research and translating technologies between electronics, materials, and biology.

  • Familiarity with mobile app development or IoT connectivity for device control.

Application Materials

  • Cover letter describing research interests, relevant experience, and career goals.

  • Curriculum Vitae (CV).

  • Names and contact information for three professional references.

  • Up to two representative publications (optional).

Salary and Benefits
Salary will follow Northwestern and NIH postdoctoral guidelines and will be commensurate with experience. Full university benefits are included.
How to Apply
Send all materials as a single PDF to [your email address] with the subject line:
“Postdoc Application – Embedded Systems for Bioelectronic Devices.”