3 PhD/PD positions – Photonic integration for LiDAR sensing technologies

Position

PhD-student, (Post-doctoral) Researcher

Irène Curie Fellowship

No

Department(s)

Electrical Engineering

Institutes and others

Eindhoven Hendrik Casimir Institute

Reference number

V36.6399

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.

3 PhD/PD positions –  Photonic integration for LiDAR sensing technologies

In recent years, the fast developments in the automotive industry towards self-driving cars have motivated a strong interest on light detection and ranging (LiDAR), which is the cornerstone technology for monitoring moving objects with high spatial resolution. These new research positions focus on fully solid-state solutions for miniaturization, performance, and wide deployment. Examples of previous work can be seen in the EU-funded NewControl project (https://www.newcontrol-project.eu/videos ), in which we achieved significant progress in InP-based PICs for LiDAR technologies, including optical phased arrays , FMCW tunable lasers , and high-density photonic integration .

Position 1 – Integrated laser sources

The position will identify and demonstrate new laser architectures exploiting innovative modulation formats (e.g. frequency modulation continuous wave – FMCW, or random modulation continuous wave – RMCW) and also integrated polarization management and control for precise, 4-D imaging (space plus velocity). Circuits will be devised to extract the velocity of targets, which is of crucial importance in the automotive industry and methods to increase the frame-rates for imaging systems.  

The work will comprise PIC design based on circuit-level simulations, circuit layout, chip characterization in the PhI optical laboratories, LiDAR transmission-detection experiments. Internal collaborations are expected with other team members, as well as external collaborations for chip manufacturing and assembly.

Position 2 – Beam-forming with large-scale optical phased arrays

The position will identify circuit and control plane architectures for the forming and scanning well-defined free space beams in space. Research questions will centre on methods and barriers for operating and scaling beyond hundreds of phase array emitters in the same integrated circuit. The optical phase arrays include both gain and phase control. Target specifications for field-of-view, angular resolution (below 0.1°), and optical power in the main beam for beyond 100 meter ranging are anticipated, and research challenges will focus primarily on aspects of control plane circuit integration, heat management and integration with module assembly methods. 

The work will comprise optical phase array design based on circuit-level simulations, circuit layout, device design for proposing more efficient integrated amplifiers, and chip characterization in the optical laboratories. Internal collaborations are expected with other team members, as well as external collaborations for chip manufacturing and assembly.

Position 3 – Coherent photonic integrated receivers

The position will focus on LiDAR receiver architectures to extend the bandwidth and efficiency of coherent, free-space receiver technology. Balanced detection will be considered with both surface-illuminated circuit and end-fire illuminated architectures. Circuit designs will be developed in our cleanroom by exploiting the latest insights into precision processing.   The work will comprise the development and evaluation of diverse configurations, design of devices and circuits (including co-simulation of optical and electrical characteristics, circuit layout, chip fabrication and characterization in the PhI optical laboratories. Internal collaborations are expected with other team members and research groups, as well as external collaborations for chip manufacturing and assembly.

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.

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

Interested parties should contact Victor Calzadilla (v.calzadilla[at]tue.nl) or Martijn Heck (m.heck[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

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!