Postdoc in Advanced Manufacturing for Sustainable Heterogeneous Photonic Integration

Introduction

Are you interested about sustainable semiconductor manufacturing? Join TU/e to pioneer circular manufacturing concepts for the next generation of photonic chips, working at the forefront of heterogeneous integration and advanced device transfer technologies.

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 Process Design Kits (PDKs) allow fabless designers to create their own chips with custom functionality. While most of the early progress was based on monolithic integration, the drive for high-performance, cost-effective manufacturing of photonic integrated circuits (PICs) at scale has shifted the focus to heterogeneous integration based on silicon substrates. This approach combines the strengths of different materials within a single PIC platform. In particular, enhancing silicon platforms with efficient III-V active functions (lasers, amplifiers, modulators, detectors) requires the design and fabrication of tailored InP coupons, which can be transferred using advanced micro-transfer technologies.

This postdoctoral focuses on developing a new paradigm for the circular manufacturing of heterogeneous photonic integrated circuits. While heterogeneous integration has emerged as the leading approach for combining III-V active devices with silicon photonic platforms, current manufacturing methods typically consume an entire processed InP wafer in a single fabrication and transfer cycle, limiting material utilization and increasing production costs. The position is funded by the PhotonDelta National Growth Fund.

You will develop transfer-ready InP photonic devices and circuits and associated process technologies that enable selective wafer-scale pick-up of photonic coupons and dies for heterogeneous integration, while supporting the reuse of III-V substrates across multiple fabrication-transfer-reuse cycles. Working in close collaboration with TNO, which is developing the Laser-Induced Forward Transfer (LIFT) process for photonics, your research will span transfer-aware device and layout design, release-layer engineering, substrate recovery strategies, manufacturing process development and process integration. The ultimate goal is to establish scalable and sustainable manufacturing methodologies that reduce material consumption, cost, and waste while strengthening the industrial deployment and long-term resilience of heterogeneous photonic integration in Europe.

The PIC fabrication work will be carried out at the NanoLab@TU/e cleanroom facility (http://www.tue.nl/nanolab), which hosts a state-of-the-art 4” processing line for III-V semiconductors, including an ASML DUV scanner, AIXTRON MOCVD G10 epitaxy reactor, electron beam lithography, diverse plasma etching tools, wafer-level bonding equipment and others.

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 InP PIC technology experts at the Photonic Integration Technology Centre (PITC) and collaborate with integrated photonics researchers. The person is expected to produce PIC building blocks that are accessible to consortium partners. 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

• Motivated researcher, with a PhD in electrical engineering, applied physics or similar.
• Deep-tech understanding of one or more aspects of design, manufacturing or testing for relevant photonics IC technology is desirable
• Affinity for hands-on practical work in cleanroom environment
• Knowledge on physics of semiconductor devices and optical waveguides
• Ability to conduct high quality academic research, reflected in demonstratable outputs.
• Excellent (written and verbal) proficiency in English, good communication and leadership skills.
  
  

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.
• Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale 10, ranging from € 4,422 (step 4) to € 5,760 gross base salary per month (full-time).
• In addition to your base salary, you will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus, both calculated based on your annual gross base salary.
• As a TU/e employee, you participate in the ABP pension scheme, providing retirement pension and pension benefits for surviving dependents and occupational disability. TU/e pays 70% of the pension premium, while employees contribute the remaining 30%.
• High-quality training programs on general skills, didactics and topics related to research and valorization.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, and on-campus children's day care.
• Unlimited access to the modern on‑campus TU/e Student Sports Center at an exceptionally affordable rate.
• We support your wellbeing with free 24/7 access to OpenUp, providing you and your family with mental health support, expert guidance, and online training.
• 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.
• A Staff Immigration Team is available for international candidates, as are a tax compensation scheme (the Expat Scheme) and a compensation for moving expenses.

On our website you can discover even more information about our conditions of employment. Build on your career at TU/e!

About us

We are a leading international university where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community.

Our university is located in Brainport Eindhoven — a world‑leading tech region with more than 7,000 high‑tech companies and strong R&D activity. Known for breakthroughs in AI, photonics, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, Brainport is a place where technology serves people and society. Learn more about the Brainport region here.

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager dr. Victor Calzadilla, [email protected].

Visit our website for more information about the application process. You can also contact [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 a list of your publications and the contact information of three references. Kindly note that we may reach out to references at any stage of the recruitment process. We recommend notifying your references upon submitting your application.

Ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. Please note that incomplete applications may not be considered and could be rejected.

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.

Please note

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. 
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check, please consult the National Knowledge Security Guidelines.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.