Are you a student with an interest in cryogenic technology, thermal engineering and scientific instrumentation? Would you like to apply your theoretical knowledge to a challenging real-world problem and contribute to the further development of cryo-electron microscopy technology?

At Demcon Kryoz, we develop innovative cooling technologies and solutions for high-tech applications worldwide, including the medical, aerospace and semiconductor industries.

During this internship, you will contribute to a project focused on improving vitrification for cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). Vitrification is a crucial step in cryo-EM, in which biological samples are rapidly frozen to prevent ice crystal formation and preserve their structure. Current techniques work well for thin samples but are more challenging for thicker and more complex specimens, such as mammalian cells and organoids. The aim of this project is to establish a proof of principle for enhancing vitrification cooling rates.

Demcon develops and manufactures advanced technology and complex systems, from concept through to series production. Driven by our ambition to solve societal and technological challenges, we combine in-depth engineering expertise with creativity to develop solutions that make a real impact. We build prototypes, industrialize and manufacture innovative systems, with a strong focus on mechatronics. In doing so, we bring together mechanical, electrical and software engineering with disciplines such as robotics, optics and data science. This enables us to support our customers throughout the entire product lifecycle. The Demcon group consists of more than 50 specialized companies that together form a one-stop shop for high-tech innovation. With more than 1,100 colleagues worldwide, we are building the technology of tomorrow.

This internship focuses on the hands-on phase of the project. You will build a fundamental understanding of vitrification and use this knowledge to validate and improve a proof-of-principle setup.

During the assignment, you will:

• Define the requirements for an enhanced vitrification strategy;
• Identify suitable methods to quantify and validate these requirements;
• Develop a test plan for the proof-of-principle setup;
• Perform measurements in our cryogenic laboratory;
• Analyze the results and use them to improve the setup;
• Evaluate the technical feasibility and document your findings in a feasibility report;
• You will combine theoretical analysis with experimental work and gain practical experience with vitrification, cryogenic technology, precision engineering and the cryo-EM workflow.

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Adrie Visser at adrie.visser@demcon.com. Are you interested in this assignment? We would be happy to receive your CV. You can apply directly via the application button.