Job description
Photonics is widely regarded as the key enabling technology of the 21st century and its application and use in many scientific and industrial fields is accelerated though Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs), which combine many optical components into a miniaturized chip format. Similar to electronic ICs, PICs are revolutionizing areas such as healthcare, communication and sensing and have the potential to be disruptive to the whole society. These technologies are receiving major investments through the PhotonDelta National Growth Fund program, with multiple new positions in integrated photonics. https://www.tue.nl/en/working-at-tue/scientific-staff/become-a-researcher-in-integrated-photonics?utm_id=photonics&cHash=de0b5db3cbc804409bbb186ef312d135 This is a large program involving the leading industry, research institutes and universities in the Netherlands.
Environment
The positions are in the Photonic Integration Research Group, www.tue.nl/phi which is a part of the Eindhoven Hendrik Casimir Institute (EHCI) www.tue.nl/ehci. Our strong supporting infrastructure of laboratories, clean room infrastructure www.tue.nl/nanolab and technology know-how allows you to focus on your research and generate new opportunities for collaboration and growth. We believe we can only be world class if our researchers are doing well and feeling good.
The Eindhoven Brainport region, where we are located, is recognized as one of the most important regions in Europe for high-tech developments by the EU. Regional focus on specific technologies creates specific ecosystems to cooperate and commercialize technologies such as integrated photonics, high-tech systems and quantum technology.
We believe that professional development comes hand-in-hand with personal development. Therefore, you will also have access to high-quality training programs on general skills and topics related to research and valorization.
(5) PhD / PD positions – Photonic integrated circuit technology
Five positions are opened for research into the technology for monolithic and heterogeneous photonic integrated circuits. The technology includes indium phosphide components for the highest performance polarization, phase and gain control elements in a comprehensive manufacturing platform. We consider applicants for either PhD research or post-doctoral research.
State of the art, indium phosphide photonic integration production techniques will be developed in combination with wafer- and coupon-scale heterogeneous integration technology. A specific focus will be placed on step-change performance advances for the integrated building blocks – the native lasers, amplifiers, quantum confined stark effect modulators and detectors. Performance targets will address tunability, bandwidth, order of magnitude size-reductions and energy-efficiency improvements, with the view to realise a Moore’s Law for photonic integration.
The InP membrane on silicon (imos) platform – pioneered at TU/e – will be developed into a comprehensive heterogeneous integration methodology which supports integration by means of wafer, die and coupon bonding. https://research.tue.nl/en/publications/indium-phosphide-membrane-nanophotonic-integrated-circuits-on-sil Specific positions can be considered in the areas of:
Position 1 – Integration technology for ultrahigh speed modulators and detectors
Position 2 – Enhanced photonic circuits by multi-modes and multi-polarizations
Position 3 – Amplifier and laser active layers for high temperature operation
Position 4 – Atomic layer deposition in precision photonic circuit manufacturing. This position will be embedded in the Plasma & Materials Processing group of the Department of Applied Physics at TU/e.
Position 5 – Magneto-photonic integration for non-reciprocal devices, exploring photonic waveguides with nanostructured ultrathin magnetic or YIG-based claddings, aiming for magneto-optical effects and all-optical reconfigurability.
Together, as part of a big team, you will be working together to create a next generation heterogeneous platform, that can operate at unprecedented bandwidths (>100 GHz), at the highest possible integration density, bringing together the power of silicon technologies and indium phosphide photonics.
These new positions will involve hands-on process development using recently installed, state of the art 4″ (100 mm) indium phosphide manufacturing line, including high reproducibility epitaxy, deep ultra-violet scanner lithography and industry-grade etch and deposition equipment. These facilities and the associated expertise are considered to be unique in an academic research environment. The projects are supported with the infrastructure at the TU/e nanolab.
Job requirements
PhD
- A master’s degree (or an equivalent university degree) in electrical engineering, or (applied) physics, with a genuine interest in pursuing a PhD.
- A team player able to work in a dynamic, interdisciplinary environment.
- Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level). There is no Dutch language requirement.
PostDoc
- PhD in electrical engineering, physics, or similar field.
- Ability to conduct high quality academic research, demonstrated by a relevant PhD thesis and/or publication(s).
- A team player able to work in a dynamic, interdisciplinary environment.
- Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level), good communication and leadership skills. There is no Dutch language requirement.
Conditions of employment
A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:
PhD
- Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate evaluation (go/no-go) after nine months. You will typically spend 10% of your employment on teaching tasks.
- Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
- A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
- High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own your own learning process.
- An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children’s day care and sports facilities.
- An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
- A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.
Postdoc
- Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
- A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
- High-quality training programs on general skills, didactics and topics related to research and valorization.
- An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children’s day care and sports facilities.
- Partially paid parental leave and an allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
- A TU/e Postdoc Association that helps you to build a stronger and broader academic and personal network, and offers tailored support, training and workshops.
Information and application
Information:
Candidates interested in specific themes should indicate this in their application. They are welcome to ask for additional technical background information from Yuqing Jiao y.jiao[at]tue.nl or Kevin Williams k.a.williams[at]tue.nl.
Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment.
Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.
Application:
We invite you to submit a complete application using the apply-button. Your application should include a:
- Cover letter in which you describe your research experience, motivation and qualifications for the position. Also indicate explicitly in the letter the position(s) that you are most interested in and/or fit best to your background.
- Since the positions are similar, you will be considered for all these positions. Feel free, however, to indicate your preference in a cover letter.
- Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references who we may contact.
We look forward to receiving your application!