Nanofabrication engineer for development of novel photonic integrated circuits

École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne, EPFL; Vaud; On-site; CHF 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent lab conditions

Opportunities for technology transfer

Job summary

EPFL's Laboratory of Photonics and Quantum Measurements seeks a nanofabrication engineer to develop advanced processes for next-generation photonic integrated circuits and lasers. The role involves collaboration with Bühler Group on an industry project, with travel to Germany for optimization.

The candidate will lead in-house fabrication, design, and characterization of PICs, and will contribute to process improvement and technology transfer opportunities, including startup prospects, at CMi in

Qualifications

• PhD in engineering or sciences with micro-nanofabrication of PICs.
• 3-5 years equivalent experience in thin film process development or related fabrication industry.
• Ability to rigorously follow processes.
• Willingness to travel and work with international teams.
• Excellent documentation and data management.

Responsibilities

• Fabricate photonics chips using advanced semiconductor processing.
• Analyze in-line metrology data for reproducibility.
• Collaborate with Bühler Group on wafer-scale PICs.
• Design and test PIC devices and explore new materials.
• Prepare quarterly reports and publish results.

Skills

Attention to detail

Independent worker

Strong communication

Data recording

Team collaboration

Education

PhD in engineering or sciences (PICs micro-nanofabrication)

Tools

K-layout

COMSOL

Lumerical

Job description

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EPFL, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, is one of the most dynamic university campuses in Europe and ranks among the top 20 universities worldwide. The EPFL employs more than 6,500 people supporting the three main missions of the institutions: education, research and innovation. The EPFL campus offers an exceptional working environment at the heart of a community of more than 18,500 people, including over 14,000 students and 4,000 researchers from more than 120 different countries.

Nanofabrication engineer for development of novel photonic integrated circuits

Mission

TheLaboratory of Photonics and Quantum Measurements (LPQM) at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) is seeking a nanofabrication engineer to develop advanced processes and techniques for next-generation photonic integrated circuits and lasers. This role will involve collaborating with Bühler Group on a 2-year industry research project, which has the potential for startup commercialization.

The researcher will be responsible for developing advanced thin film deposition and ion beam trimming techniques on various material platforms, such as SiN, LTOI and LNOI. He/she will lead the collaboration with the Bühler Group on in-house fabrication of wafer-scale integrated photonic circuits, ensuring optimal operation and reproducibility in the cleanroom facilities (CMi). The candidate will design, fabricate, and characterize PICs for the project, as well as develop and improve existing processes and explore new material platforms and tools available from Bühler. He/she will also regularly travel to the R&D facilities in Germany to assist in optimising the recipes. He/she will prepare quarterly reports and facilitate effective technical exchanges between LPQM and the Bühler Group. High-level publications are expected at the end of the project in collaboration with the industrial partner. The position also offers the potential for technology transfer to a startup.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Fabricate photonics chips using advanced semiconductor processing (etching, lithography, thin film depositions)
• Perform statistical analysis of in-line metrology of the fabrication process, develop measurements to ensure reproducibility
• Explore new material deposition techniques, etching techniques, cladding oxides, wafer platforms
• Test and learn to operate new tools
• Characterize the photonic chip performance

Travelling to Bühler Group in Darmstadt and Leibniz (20%):

• Assist in the process development and master the tools available at Bühler
• Document progress and report back to the team

Design photonic chips and process flows (10%):

• Modify existing designs to test the tool capabilities
• Design new PIC devices to demonstrate the capabilities of the developed processes, using new techniques, tools and materials

Documentation and coordination (10%):

• Quarterly report preparation
• Technical reports on each new process, as defined in the project tasks
• Technical meeting organisation and reporting on a need to go basis
• Publication of new results in high impact journals

Profile

Qualification/experience:

• PhD in engineering or sciences with micro-nanofabrication of PICs as the theme of the thesis
• 3-5 years equivalent experience in thin film process development, instrument operation, and/or the fabrication industry

Technical skills:

• Ability to rigorously follow processes
• Ability to operate instruments with a high level of patience and attention to detail
• Willingness to maintain highly organized data records

Interpersonal skills:

• Ability to work independently, with a high level of responsibility
• Strong communication skills towards the other lab members, CMi staff and collaborators
• Willingness to work in a multi-national team
• Willingness to travel

Computer/software skills:

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office
• Familiarity with K-layout, COMSOL, Lumerical

Languages:

• Working proficiency in English, German and/or French is a plus

We offer

• A young, dynamic, flexible and highly motivated R&D environment
• A productive team of high scientific and industrial impacts
• Excellent laboratory conditions at Center of MicroNanoTechnology at EPFL
• Opportunity to work on technology development with potential continuation in industry
• Potential for technology transfer to a startup