Start-Up

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, accessible, and easier to use for researchers and industrial laboratories.

The company is currently focused on developing research-use sensing substrates that can improve reproducibility in Raman/SERS measurements. These materials can help detect and analyze small amounts of chemical or biological compounds without labels, using optical measurement workflows. Potential application areas include analytical chemistry, environmental monitoring, diagnostics, catalysis, and materials research.

nanoSpec is currently in the validation and early commercialization phase. We are working on customer discovery, market positioning, product definition, collaboration building, and funding applications. The intern would contribute to understanding which customer segments have the strongest need for reproducible sensing materials and how nanoSpec should approach the market.

This is a good opportunity for a student interested in deep-tech commercialization, scientific start-ups, and the transition from university research into a real product.

The intern will support nanoSpec’s market intelligence, business development, and go-to-market activities. Expected tasks may include:

The intern will work closely with the founder and may also join selected meetings or customer discovery activities where appropriate.

Subject areas and working fields:

The ideal candidate is interested in deep-tech start-ups, business development, market research, and the commercialization of scientific technologies. A background in business, economics, innovation management, entrepreneurship, science management, marketing, or a related field would be useful.

The candidate should be able to work independently, structure information clearly, and communicate well with different types of stakeholders. Strong analytical thinking, curiosity, reliability, and the ability to deal with uncertainty are important, as the project is at an early stage and not all answers are predefined.

Useful skills include:

Prior experience with start-ups, customer discovery, interviews, marketing, sales, or scientific innovation would be a plus, but is not required. The most important qualities are curiosity, initiative, structured thinking, and motivation to help translate advanced research into a real product.

The intern should prepare by reading introductory material on Raman spectroscopy, Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS), and the use of nanostructured materials for chemical sensing. The goal is not to develop advanced chemistry or physics expertise, but to understand the basic principle of the technology, what it can be used for, and its current limitations.

It would also be useful to become familiar with general concepts in deep-tech commercialization, customer discovery, market research, and go-to-market strategy for scientific products.