Research Technician: Nanofabrication of Photonic ICs

Position

Other academic staff

Department(s)

Electrical Engineering

Reference number

V36.5633

Photonics is widely regarded as the key enabling technology of the 21st century and its applications 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. The photonic integration research group (PHI) at TU/e is in leading position of PIC research and development. It coordinates JePPIX, the Joint European Platform for Photonic Integration of Components and Circuits, and works together with Europe's main players in the photonic integration industry to provide access to this technology.

At PHI, we are developing the next generation technology node for PICs, with the promises to be smaller, faster and more energy efficient. This is the InP membrane on silicon (IMOS) platform which seamlessly combines efficient light sources with ultracompact nanophotonic elements. This platform has attracted great attention, not only from academia, but also from industry. Leading companies from communication, sensing and semiconductor sectors are currently evaluating this technology with us.

For an overview of the technology, one can check our recent invited reviews: https://doi.org/10.1002/pssa.201900606

Your challenge
We are looking for a candidate who wishes to develop and demonstrate skills in clean room fabrication. They will work with experts and an existing process flow to reproducibly create photonic integrated circuits. The candidate should build up competences for micro and nanofabrication and interact with other team members.

Pilot wafer runs are planned to validate the technology. The wafer runs will be organized in collaboration with JePPIX. It is anticipated to attract substantial participants from international academia as well as industry.

Your Responsibilities
You will be expected to:

• gain competence in micro and nanofabrication through training and process development
• fabricate photonic integrated circuit wafers in a cleanroom environment according to consolidated process flows
• work and communicate efficiently in a research environment
• document and report your work for the purposes of quality control

You are part of a team
As a research technician you are closely working together with eight other young researchers, two scientific staff members on the IMOS platform and technicians in the PhI research group and Nanolab. In addition, you are stationed within the Photonic Integration (PhI) group which hosts experts and pioneers of PIC technology, so you can interact with the members and continuously learn more about this exciting technology. The research group is made up of many international colleagues who all constitute to a vibrant, young and dynamic research community. Furthermore, you will acquire hands-on know-how in microfabrication from expert technicians of NANOLAB@TU/E , the university’s own leading-edge cleanroom, and be able to build your own expertise.

Work Environment
The Eindhoven University of Technology, one of Europe’s top technological universities, is in the heart of one of the largest high-tech innovation ecosystems. At the TU/e we have one of the world’s best equipped cleanroom laboratories for research and development of photonic integrated circuits. Our activities are characterized by a combination of academic excellence and a strong real-world impact. To maintain this, we have close collaborations within the PhotonDelta ecosystem and with other external high-tech industries. You can benefit from this unique ecosystem, build up a strong academic and industrial network and grow your photonics profile.

The department of electrical engineering holds multiple capacity groups that relate to photonic integration technology and offers many possibilities for exploration of novel ideas and the initiation of new collaborations. In addition, the newly established Eindhoven Hendrik Casimir Institute (EHCI) connects all photonic researchers and actively promotes interdisciplinary thinking, providing an ideal environment for you to foster creativity and explore your novel ideas.

We are looking for candidates

• Who have a background in electrical engineering or physical sciences.
  Experience in microelectronics, semiconductors, nanotechnology, photonics, nano- or microfabrication would be an advantage.
• Regarding the education level, we are flexible to interview candidates with HBO or MSc, as long as the candidate shows an appropriate background and relevant motivation.
• You should have a strong affinity with hands-on experimental work and a systematic approach to problem solving.
• You should also have an inquisitive character and be prepared to expand your knowledge.
• Good spoken English is required.

We offer

A challenging job within a dynamic setting, where you can develop further your technical and professional skills. We offer a unique mix between academic and industrial environment through the interaction with the researchers and the JePPIX. During the job, you will be able to skill up on microfabrication techniques and methods which is highly in demand in the photonics industry both situated in the Eindhoven area but also Europe wide. Industrial partners such as Smart Photonics or the Photonic Integration Technology Centre (PITC) are among many that might be interested in these skills. You will join a team of young and open-minded experts that have the aim of extending photonic integrated circuits technology to solve current problems.

• We offer a fixed-term position to start as soon as possible and for a duration of two years and possibility of extension.
• A gross monthly salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities.
• Additionally, an annual holiday allowance of 8% of the yearly salary, plus a year-end allowance of 8.3% of the annual salary.
• Should you come from abroad and comply with certain conditions, you can make use of the so-called ‘30% facility’, which permits you not to pay tax on 30% of your salary.
• Assistance for finding accommodation can be offered for foreigners.
• Support to the employees with diverse courses for professional development.
• A broad package of fringe benefits, including an excellent technical infrastructure, moving expenses, and savings schemes.
• Family-friendly initiatives are in place, such as an international spouse program, and excellent on-campus children day care and sports facilities.

More information
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact
dr. Yuqing Jiao (y.jiao[at]tue.nl) or Prof. Kevin Williams (k.a.williams[at]tue.nl)

For information about terms of employment, click here or contact Floortje de Groot (f.r.d.groot[at]tue.nl).

Please visit www.tue.nl/jobs to find out more about working at TU/e!

Application
We invite you to submit a complete application by using the 'apply now'-button on this page.
The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position;
• Curriculum vitae.

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

We do not respond to applications that are sent to us in a different way.

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