PhD/Postdoc integrated metaphotonics for information processing

Job description

Are you interested in conducting groundbreaking research at the crossroads of photonics and machine learning?
Do you want to pioneer the next generation of integrated photonic systems to solve critical challenges in imaging, communications, or sensing?
Would you like to gain a well-rounded experience in both theoretical and hands-on laboratory work while doing so?

The integrated photonics field

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. Novel PIC components will have a big impact on the fields of sensing and processing.

Integrated metaphotonics

Over the past few years, two innovative techniques have surfaced, offering the potential to reshape the field of integrated photonics like never before since its establishment: inverse design and heterogeneous integration. Originally stemming from advancements in mathematics and nanotechnology, the combination of these methods promises to unlock a new class of photonic devices and systems that exceed today's perceived performance limitations. We refer to this groundbreaking direction as integrated metaphotonics.

The positions

We offer a research position (PhD or postdoc level) in this fast-paced research field, embedded within a world-class research group.

The use of photonics for information processing is a key focus in optics research. Today's optics emphasize ultra-compact designs, high integration, and rapid processing speeds. As a result, nanophotonics has been extensively studied for information processing applications over the past few decades. This collection seeks to showcase leading-edge research in areas such as photonic and optical neural networks, computational metaphotonics, photonic processors, optical computing, information encoding, and more.

Metaoptics capable of manipulating optical wavefronts with arbitrary shapes have been suggested to couple light from PICs. In this research position going beyond this, focuses on the investigation of topology optimization approach to obtain an optimally designed metastructures for tailoring guided waves and massive emergent applications which can be integrated in a photonic chip such as multiplexers, mode and/or polarization converters and isolators.

In this project you will a) explore these metaoptics components, and b) introduce novel concepts and approaches to design and fabricate, and c) work towards integrating the component in a photonic chip for information processing such as on chip image processing.

The work will comprise concept development of integrated metaphotonics, device design, cleanroom fabrication and characterization in our laboratories. You will be part of the Photonic Integration (PhI) research group within the Eindhoven Hendrik Casimir Institute (EHCI).

Requirements

• Enthusiastic, self-driven PhD student or postdocs with a solid background in electromagnetics, optics and photonics, signal processing.
• For PhD, it is required a master's degree MSc in Electrical Engineering, or (applied) Physics.
• For PostDoc, it is required a PhD on Electrical Engineering, or (applied) Physics.
• A research-oriented attitude.
• Ability to perform team work in an international environment.
• Knowledge of the physics of optic devices.
• Skills in programming.
• Affinity with hands-on work in laboratory.
• A systematic approach to problem solving and curiosity to understand things in-depth.
• Knowledge of programming languages such as Python, C++, MATLAB or electromagnetics modeling packages such as COMSOL, Lumerical, and Tidy3D.
• Experience with with cleanroom fabrication is desirable.
• Experience is chip characterization a plus.

If you are concerned that you don't meet all the requirements sufficiently, but the job does excite you, then be sure to respond, we would love to look at your profile.

Conditions of employment

An exciting position within an international yet personal university. You are right in the middle of the students, on a green campus within walking distance of the central station. Besides beautiful architecture, you will find varied workplaces and excellent sports facilities. We also offer you:

PhD:

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate evaluation (go/no-go) after nine months. You will spend up to 10% of your employment on teaching related 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, scale P (min. €2,872 max. €3,670).
• 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 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:

• Full-time employment for 2 years.
• Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale 10 (min. €4,020 max. €5,278).
• 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.
• A Staff Immigration Team is available for international candidates, as are a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) and a compensation for moving expenses.

Here you can discover even more information about our conditions of employment. Build on your career at TU/e!

Additional information

About us

The Photonic Integration (PhI) group at TU/e has a long track record of setting pioneering results in indium phosphide (InP) based photonic integration.  Our group consists of approximately 55 members, including 8 permanent faculty members. We are a key player in the field, as evidenced by our founding and coordinating role in the globally leading Joint European Platform for photonic integrated components and circuits JePPIX.  We take a leading role in driving InP-based photonic integration towards the next level. A key enabler for our work is our state-of-the-art Nanolab cleanroom facility, which specializes in III-V materials processing.

About TU/e

Eindhoven University of Technology is an internationally top-ranking university in the Netherlands that combines scientific curiosity with a hands-on attitude. Our spirit of collaboration translates into an open culture and a top-five position in collaborating with advanced industries. Fundamental knowledge enables us to design solutions for the highly complex problems of today and tomorrow. Some impressions of our photonics research can be seen in this video.

More information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? 

Please contact dr. Humeyra Caglayan(h.caglayan@tue.nl).

Visit our website for more information about the conditions of employment.

For information about terms of employment, please contact Floortje de Groot (f.r.d.groot@tue.nl).

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 by using the apply button.
The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references.
• Copies of diplomas and a list of your courses taken and grades obtained.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.