Short introduction
- Co-ordinate the creation of methods to link all stages in the design, creation and validation of photonic integrated circuits.
- Leverage Semiconductor industry methods and standards to improve the trustworthiness of design kits.
- Structure the data flows, governance and metadata to ensure intellectual property protection.
Job Description
Photonic integrated circuits - or optical chips - have evolved into a mature technology with a broad spectrum of use cases and a diversity of platforms and building blocks. The foundry model is now becoming established where Design Kits allow fabless designers to create their own chips with custom functionality. The opportunities for prototypes and products are diverse, but this diversity has also become a challenge, with different design workflows for different products and production processes. This position approaches the design flow from the perspective of the data architecture. How is data used, shared, and processed in the creation and use of Design Kits at the heart of foundry processes? Where are the synergies when creating circuits with a diversity of materials (silicon photonics, indium phosphide, lithium niobate, and more), processes (wafer production, hybridization, test assembly and packaging) and use cases (healthcare, internet, security, mobility).
The data architect role formalizes multiple production platforms , processes and designs through a data-centric approach to prototyping photonic integrated circuits. The work will leverage open standards with appropriate engagement in collaboration with the wider developer and supplier community. Data flows will be considered from the perspective of creating systematically-improving Design Kits for process, assembly and test, and improving also by closing the design loop on circuit designs to accelerate prototyping and facilitate yield learning . Methods are expected to align to best-practice (electronic) Semicon industry methods, provide seamless interoperability with process, hybridization, assembly and test, and to support onward developer engagements via the European Design Platform and the foreseen Design Enablement Teams. The role will develop and embed industry accepted methods for data governance, security and integrity.
The position builds on the pioneering work in the foundry production of complex photonic integrated circuits in the JePPIX Pilot Line. The appointed person will work closely with a team of software developers for data infrastructure and integrated photonics researchers at the Photonic Integration Technology Centre (PITC). The person is expected to provide guidance and concertation to the wider consortium on best practice methods for creating designs and Design Kits in an efficient and quality-controlled way. This new position is within the new Chips for Europe PIXEurope Pilot Line, which brings together InP PIC technology, silicon photonics, test automation and packaging within one technology agnostic design flow with Europe's leading research organisations.
Link for PIXEurope: https://www.tue.nl/en/news-and-events/news-overview/05-12-2024-pixeurope-consortium-to-lead-the-european-pilot-line-on-advanced-photonic-integrated-circuits
Link for PITC: https://pitc.nl
Job Requirements
- Doctorate in semiconductor research and standards
- Deep-tech understanding of one or more aspects of design, manufacturing or testing for relevant semiconductor foundry technology
- Ability to identify common data principles, parameter types, coding and encryption methods, data flows, security and validation methods.
- Ability to co-create, explain and illustrate complex data management methods with clarity and patience.
- Familiarity with database management, cloud infrastructure, large unstructured data-sets, and data analysis for the creation of efficient, scalable, secure, trusted and adaptable methods for data exchange between different organizations
- Expertise in photonic integration is not required, what matters most is your enthusiasm and curiosity to apply your unique experience.
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 2 years; this is a temporary position with the possibility of a 2 year extension.
- Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale 11 (min. € 4,728 max. € 6,433).
- 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 Staff Immigration Team is available for international candidates, as are a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) and a compensation for moving expenses.
Information and application
About us
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.
Information
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager Kevin Williams, Professor, [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 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 your key achievements 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: 0.8 - 1.0 FTE | City: Eindhoven | County: Noord-Brabant | Country: Netherlands | Reference number: 2025/378 | Published: 2025-08-19 | Last application date: 2025-09-21
