Researcher in Photonic Integrated Circuits for Optical Systems

About us

The UCL Optical Networks Group wishes to appoint 2 Research Fellows to work on novel photonic integrated circuits for classical and quantum optical communication systems. The positions will be supported by several research projects with the common thread of addressing the all-round challenges of designing, prototyping and operating photonics integrated circuits for quantum and classical communication and computation systems. We are looking for 2 Research Fellows to conduct theoretical and experimental research on the design and evaluation of integrated photonics devices and circuits. The platforms used will be scalable and with high-index contrast in order to achieve scalability and a high level of integration. The researchers will join a team of 8 academics and 25 researchers working in the broader area of optical/photonic networked systems.

About the role

The main aim of the post-holders will be the development of devices and circuits that will be used in optical communication and computation systems. The research will revolve around designing and testing novel PICs and their building blocks implemented on high-index contrast photonics platforms such as Silicon and Silicon Nitride on Insulator, Lithium Niobate on Insulator, as well as Indium Phosphide and compound semiconductors. While the fabrication is envisioned to be carried out in foundries with wafer-scale methodologies. The design and simulation work will rely on open-source simulation tools and commercial software (Ansys Lumerical, Comsol, Synopsis). The device and subsystems will be packaged with partners and characterised in the Optical Network Group (ONG) state-of-the-art facilities.

The post-holders will be responsible for the vertical development of the engineering flow: they will design the subblocks and PICs and prepare the correlated layout in conjunction with the fabrication team. Furthermore, the post holders will perform the characterisation of these devices and subsystems to assess their performance and eventually utilise the characterisation results as feedback for the following subsystem generations.

The posts are available for 24 months in the first instance. Further funding to support the posts may be available.

About you

Applicants should have a PhD in Electronic Engineering, or related discipline (or about to submit a PhD thesis). Knowledge of integrated photonics design and characterisation are essential. Candidates should have the ability to benchmark the performance of integrated photonics circuits as well as simulate and design integrated photonics components.

Fabrication and cleanroom experience/knowledge is desirable, as well as skills in nanophotonics fabrication techniques.

Further Details:

• To apply for the role, click the 'Apply’ button
• Applications close on 24th April at 23:59
• A job description and person specification can be accessed at the application link, as well as contact details for enquiries about the posts.

What we offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits.

Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/rewards-and-benefits to find out more.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce.

These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.

You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here : https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/