Internship Project
Start-Ups: Scientific Research and Engineering

nanoSpec – Analytical Chemistry and Sensor Validation for Nanostructured Raman/SERS Materials

Institution
Science & Startups
Subject Area
Chemistry, Physics, Engineering & Technology
Availability
03 May – 23 July 
17 May – 06 August
31 May – 20 August
14 June – 03 September
 
Internship Modality:
On-site internship in Berlin
 
Project Supervisor(s)
Dr. Alexandre Chicharo
Dr. Kosar Shahsavar
Academic Level
  • Master's students: Suitable for students with experimental experience in chemistry, analytical chemistry, materials science, nanotechnology, physics, or related fields.
  • Doctoral students: Suitable for those interested in spectroscopy, analytical method development, nanomaterials, chemical sensing, or translational research.


Language
English
Further Information
Project Type
Start-Up
Project Content
nanoSpec Technologies is an early-stage deep-tech start-up developing reproducible nanostructured sensing materials for Raman/SERS-based chemical and molecular analysis. Our mission is to make advanced chemical sensing more reliable, reproducible, and easier to use for research and industrial laboratories.

The company is currently developing research-use sensing substrates based on plasmonic nanostructures that enhance Raman signals from molecules near the surface. A central challenge in SERS is variability between substrates, measurement locations, sample conditions, and preparation protocols. nanoSpec aims to address this by developing reproducible materials together with systematic quality-control and validation workflows.

Potential application areas include analytical chemistry, environmental monitoring, catalysis, materials research, and biosensing. The company is currently in the validation and early commercialization phase. The intern would contribute to experimental testing of the materials, investigation of measurement variability, and development of more robust analytical workflows.

The position offers exposure to analytical chemistry, nanomaterials, Raman/SERS measurements, experimental troubleshooting, and the translation of research results into a commercial deep-tech product.

Tasks for Interns
The intern will support experimental validation of nanoSpec’s nanostructured Raman/SERS sensing materials.

Expected tasks may include:
  • Preparing chemical solutions and model analytes
  • Performing or supporting Raman/SERS measurements
  • Investigating signal variability between substrates and measurement locations
  • Studying the influence of concentration, incubation time, sample preparation, and measurement conditions
  • Supporting substrate quality-control workflows
  • Testing different surface chemistries or functionalization approaches
  • Recording and organizing experimental data
  • Performing basic data analysis and visualization
  • Comparing experimental results with literature protocols
  • Supporting preparation and improvement of experimental protocols
  • Exploring selected chemical sensing or catalysis-related applications where appropriate

The exact experimental tasks will be adjusted depending on the student’s experience, available equipment, and the project stage in Summer 2027.

Subject areas and working fields:
  • Chemistry: Analytical chemistry, chemical sensing, sample preparation, and testing of molecular detection workflows.
  • Physics: Raman/SERS measurements, optical microscopy, plasmonic nanostructures, and signal variability analysis.
  • Engineering & Technology: Nanostructured sensing materials, sensor validation, quality control, and technology-to-product development.
  • Sustainability & Environmental Studies: Chemical and environmental sensing applications using resource-efficient analytical workflows.
  • Entrepreneurship / Start-up Development: Experimental validation of research-use sensing materials in an early-stage deep-tech start-up.



Academic Level
  • Master's students: Suitable for students with experimental experience in chemistry, analytical chemistry, materials science, nanotechnology, physics, or related fields.
  • Doctoral students: Suitable for those interested in spectroscopy, analytical method development, nanomaterials, chemical sensing, or translational research.


Requirements
The ideal candidate has a background in analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, materials science, nanotechnology, physics, or a related experimental field.

Experience with Raman microscopy or SERS would be especially valuable. However, previous experience with confocal microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, FTIR, UV-Vis, optical microscopy, or other analytical instrumentation would also be relevant.

Useful skills and qualities include:
  • Experience preparing chemical solutions and samples
  • Careful laboratory practice and documentation
  • Interest in spectroscopy, microscopy, or chemical sensing
  • Ability to work systematically and investigate experimental variability
  • Basic data analysis and plotting skills
  • Attention to detail and reproducibility
  • Ability to work independently while communicating problems and results clearly
  • Curiosity and willingness to troubleshoot experimental procedures

Previous direct experience with SERS is desirable but not required.

Expected Preparation
The intern should review introductory material on Raman scattering, Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS), plasmonic nanostructures, and basic analytical chemistry workflows before starting.

Advanced knowledge of plasmonics or nanophysics is not required. The main goal is to understand the basic operating principle of the technology, common experimental variables, and the main limitations affecting reproducibility.

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For more information on the Humboldt Internship Program or the project, please contact the program coordinator.