Doctoral Student in Photonic Fluids and Frequency Combs 100%

ETH Zurich; Zürich; On-site; CHF 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ETH Zurich facilities

PhD program

Cleanroom access

Job summary

ETH Zurich invites applications for a PhD project on liquid-light dynamics and frequency comb photonics. The successful candidate will design and fabricate semiconductor photonic devices, build optical setups, perform precision measurements, and develop nonlinear dynamics models.

The project connects device physics, experiments, and theory, with access to our state-of-the-art cleanroom and laser facilities, offering broad expertise within a single PhD program.

Qualifications

• Strong background in physics and/or electrical engineering, photonics, or a closely related field.
• Interest in combining fabrication, experimental work, and theory/simulations.
• Experience with cleanroom fabrication, optical experiments, lasers or numerical modelling is helpful but not required.

Responsibilities

• Designing and fabricating semiconductor photonic devices using cleanroom processes and characterizing them electrically and optically.
• Building and operating advanced laser and optical measurement setups to study temporal dynamics and coherence.
• Developing theoretical and numerical models to describe nonlinear laser dynamics and guide experiments.

Skills

Physics background

Electrical engineering

Photonics

Experimentation

Modelling

Tools

Cleanroom fabrication

Job description

Our group explores new regimes of frequency comb physics - laser sources that generate thousands of evenly spaced spectral lines, acting as ultra-precise rulers for measuring light. We study liquid-like light in fast-gain semiconductor lasers, where strong nonlinear dynamics can produce stable and controllable broadband states. Our research combines semiconductor device fabrication, precision optical experiments, and theoretical and numerical modelling to understand and control these systems.

Project background

This project investigates the dynamics, fluctuations, and open-system physics of liquid light . The doctoral student will work across the full experimental cycle: developing and fabricating photonic devices, building and operating optical setups, performing precision measurements, and modelling the underlying nonlinear dynamics.

Job description

• Designing and fabricating semiconductor photonic devices using cleanroom processes, followed by their electrical and optical characterization.
• Building and operating advanced laser and optical measurement setups to study temporal dynamics, fluctuations, coherence, and controlled light-matter interactions.
• Developing theoretical and numerical models to describe nonlinear laser dynamics, interpret experiments, and guide the design of new devices and measurements.

The goal is to establish a versatile experimental platform for probing and controlling liquid-light dynamics, connecting device physics, precision measurements, and nonlinear photonic theory.

Profile

• Strong background in physics and\or electrical engineering, photonics, or a closely related field.
• Interest in combining fabrication, experimental work, and theory/simulations.
• Advantage to previous experience with cleanroom fabrication, optical experiments, lasers, or numerical modelling is helpful, but specific platform experience is not required.

We offer

• A research environment combining fundamental physics, semiconductor technology, and advanced photonics.
• State-of-the-art cleanroom, laser, and characterization facilities at ETH Zürich.
• The opportunity to develop broad expertise spanning device fabrication, precision experiments, and theoretical modelling within one PhD project.

Working, teaching and research at ETH Zurich

We value diversity and sustainability

In line with our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish. Sustainability is a core value for us - we are consistently working towards a climate-neutral future.

The application deadline is November 17th.