Optical Spinal Implant (OSI) Project – Design, Prototyping, and Characterization of Implantable Circuits

Description

Université Laval's sBioM laboratory, led by Professor Benoit Gosselin, is recruiting a master's student to contribute to the Optical Spinal Implant (OSI) project. The project brings together specialists in microelectronics, neuroscience, optogenetics, wireless systems, and preclinical validation, alongside industry and clinical partners.

The OSI project aims to develop a miniaturized optical spinal implant combining optogenetic stimulation, fluorescence sensing, embedded processing, and wireless communication. This closed-loop neuromodulation platform is intended to precisely target neural circuits associated with neuropathic and nociceptive pain while meeting stringent requirements for power consumption, size, safety, and biocompatibility.

The successful candidate will contribute to the design, prototyping, and validation of the OSI's microelectronic subsystems, working closely with team members responsible for the ASIC, optoelectronics, power supply, and wireless communication.

Scope and objectives
Develop and characterize low-power circuits and interfaces for optical stimulation, fluorescence sensing, or embedded processing. Depending on their background, the student may work on an ASIC block, a PCB prototype, a photodiode interface, a test setup, or the integration of an implant subsystem. One possible research direction involves designing and comparing inductive, capacitive, ultrasonic, or hybrid wireless power transfer (WPT) solutions.

**Examples of projects and tasks**

- Design and simulate an analog, mixed-signal, or digital circuit block for optical stimulation, photodiode readout, signal conditioning, or power management.
- Develop a prototype and a characterization setup; automate measurements, analyze performance, and compare results against the implant's specifications.
- Contribute to subsystem integration and testing with the ASIC, interposer, flexible circuit, LEDs, photodiodes, or UWB link. Depending on the research direction, prototype and characterize an inductive, capacitive, ultrasonic, or other WPT solution.

A typical day or week
A typical week will combine design and simulation, prototype assembly, development of scripts and test setups, laboratory measurements, data analysis, scientific documentation, and interdisciplinary meetings. The student will benefit from interactions with the neuroscience, RF, and microsystems teams, as well as project partners.

Requirements and Conditions

- A bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, microelectronics, or a closely related field, completed or expected to be completed before starting the master's program.
- A solid foundation in analog or digital electronics, circuit design, instrumentation, and scientific programming.
- The ability to communicate clearly, document work, collaborate within an interdisciplinary team, and meet Université Laval's admission requirements for the master's program.

Assets (preferred, not required)
- Experience with electronic or microelectronic CAD tools, PCB design, SPICE simulation, embedded systems programming, or laboratory characterization.
- Knowledge of CMOS circuits, bioinstrumentation, optoelectronics, signal processing, TinyML, RF/UWB, flexible circuits, or medical devices. Experience in the design, simulation, or characterization of wireless power transfer (WPT) systems.

Application Deadline

October 22, 2026