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.
The mission of the Department of Electrical Engineering is to acquire, share and transfer knowledge and understanding in the whole field of Electrical Engineering through education, research and valorization. We work towards a ‘Smart Sustainable Society’, a ‘Connected World’, and a healthy humanity (‘Care & Cure’). Activities share an application-oriented character, a high degree of complexity and a large synergy between multiple facets of the field.
Research is carried out into the applications of electromagnetic phenomena in all forms of energy conversion, telecommunication and electrical signal processing. Existing and new electrical components and systems are analyzed, designed and built. The Electrical Engineering department takes its inspiration from contacts with high-tech industry in the direct surrounding region and beyond.
The department is innovative and has international ambitions and partnerships. The result is a challenging and inspiring setting in which socially relevant issues are addressed.
Introduction
Are you excited about shaping the future of broadband integrated photonic circuits?
Would you like to work on cutting-edge research that combines metaphotonics, advanced device design, and cleanroom fabrication?
Are you motivated to develop next-generation wavelength demultiplexers and contribute to compact optical systems for on-chip imaging, sensing, and communication?
Job Description
The integrated photonics field
Similar to electronic ICs, Photonic Integrated Circuits (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 position
We offer a PhD position 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.
Metaphotonics 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 inverse 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 PhD project, you will explore integrated metaphotonics components for broadband wavelength demultiplexing across the UV to NIR spectrum. Your work will contribute to the development of compact, low-loss, and broadband photonic devices by: (a) investigating and designing advanced metaoptical structures, (b) introducing and applying novel design concepts such as topology optimization and adiabatic mode evolution with multicore waveguides, and (c) working towards the integration of these components onto photonic chips for applications in information processing, including on-chip image processing.
The project will involve concept development, numerical simulations, cleanroom fabrication, and optical characterization in state-of-the-art facilities. You will be embedded within the Photonic Integration (PhI) research group, collaborating closely with experts in material platforms, inverse design, and chip-scale photonics.
Job Requirements
- A master’s degree (or an equivalent university degree) in Physics, Electrical Engineering.
- A research-oriented attitude.
- Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team and interested in collaborating with industrial partners.
- A systematic approach to problem solving and curiosity to understand things in-depth.
- Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level).
- Enthusiastic, self-driven PhD with a solid background in electromagnetics, optics and photonics and physics of optic devices.
- Experience with cleanroom fabrication is desirable
- Experience in chip design and characterization is a plus
- Affinity with hands-on work in laboratory
- Knowledge of programming languages such as Python, C++, MATLAB or electromagnetics modeling packages such as COMSOL, Lumerical, and Tidy3D.
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:
- Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment.
- 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. € 3.084, max. € 3.881).
- 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.
Information
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.
Curious to hear more about what it’s like as a PhD candidate at TU/e? Please view the video.
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager dr. Humeyra Caglayan, Assoc. Prof, [email protected].
Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact Kevin Caris, HR-Advisor, [email protected].
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.
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.
Type of employment: temporary position | Contract type: full time | Number of positions: 1 | Full-time equivalent: 1.0 FTE | City: Eindhoven | County: Noord-Brabant | Country: Netherlands | Reference number: 2025/360 | Published: 2025-08-05 | Last application date: 2025-09-05
