Postdoc in Optical Communication Systems - DTU Electro

DTU - Technical University of Denmark; Kongens Lyngby; On-site; DKK 520,000 - 660,000; Full time

Job summary

DTU Electro in Denmark seeks a highly motivated researcher with a strong background in optical communications, DSP, and experimental analysis. You will develop and test next‑generation optical systems using WDM, SDM, multi-core fibres and microcomb-based approaches, employing MIMO processing to mitigate cross‑talk.

You will operate high‑bandwidth lab equipment, design transmission experiments, analyze results with DSP and MATLAB, and publish findings.

Qualifications

• PhD degree in optical communications, photonics, electrical engineering, or a related field.
• Strong research background in optical communication systems and digital signal processing.
• Experience with multi-core fibres, MIMO processing, or similar advanced communication techniques is an advantage.
• Knowledge of probabilistic shaping and coding methods within DSP.
• Familiarity with optical amplifiers, particularly semiconductor optical amplifiers.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Good programming and simulation skills (e.g., MATLAB).
• Excellent communication skills and ability to explain complex concepts clearly.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a research environment.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement and experimentally validate next-generation optical communication systems.
• Investigate SDM technologies, including WDM, multi-core fibre and microcomb-based transmission.
• Operate and configure high-bandwidth laboratory equipment, including waveform generators and high-speed oscilloscopes.
• Set up, execute and troubleshoot optical transmission experiments independently.
• Characterize and optimize transmission performance, including cross-talk mitigation in multi-core systems.
• Process and analyze experimental data using DSP, MATLAB and other analysis tools.
• Optimize system parameters across optical and digital domains.
• Contribute to research on advanced, high-capacity optical communication technologies.
• Collaborate with researchers, document results, and communicate findings through reports and publications.

Skills

DSP experience

Optical communications

MIMO processing

MATLAB

Programming

Education

PhD in optical communications or related field

Tools

Laboratory instruments

Job description

Job Description

We are looking for a candidate with a strong research background in optical communication systems, with experience in digital signal processing (DSP) and optical transmission technologies. The candidate should have experience with space-division multiplexing (SDM), including wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM), multi-core fibre systems, and microcomb-based optical communication.

The role involves the development, implementation, and experimental analysis of advanced optical communication systems. The researcher will work on WDM, multi-core fibre and microcomb-based systems, including MIMO signal processing for mitigating inter-channel and inter-core cross-talk and optimizing transmission performance.

The candidate should be comfortable operating high-bandwidth experimental equipment, including arbitrary waveform generators, high-speed/high-bandwidth oscilloscopes, optical transmitters and receivers, and other laboratory instrumentation. They should be able to design and conduct transmission experiments, characterize system performance, optimize system parameters, and analyse experimental results using DSP and data-analysis techniques.

The position requires the ability to independently plan and execute experiments, troubleshoot experimental setups, interpret measurement results, and optimize optical transmission systems. The researcher will also contribute to collaborative research on next-generation, high-capacity optical communication systems.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement and experimentally validate next-generation optical communication systems
• Investigate SDM technologies, including WDM, multi-core fibre and microcomb-based transmission
• Operate and configure high-bandwidth laboratory equipment, including waveform generators and high-speed oscilloscopes
• Set up, execute and troubleshoot optical transmission experiments independently
• Characterize and optimize transmission performance, including cross-talk mitigation in multi-core systems
• Process and analyze experimental data using DSP, MATLAB and other analysis tools
• Optimize system parameters across optical and digital domains
• Contribute to research on advanced, high-capacity optical communication technologies
• Collaborate with researchers, document results, and communicate findings through reports and publications

Qualifications

• PhD degree in optical communications, photonics, electrical engineering, or a related field
• Strong research background in optical communication systems and digital signal processing
• Experience with multi-core fibres, MIMO processing, or similar advanced communication techniques is an advantage
• Knowledge of probabilistic shaping and coding methods within DSP
• Familiarity with optical amplifiers, particularly semiconductor optical amplifiers
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Good programming and simulation skills (e.g., MATLAB)
• Excellent communication skills and ability to explain complex concepts clearly
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a research environment

We offer

DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and terms of employment

The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. In addition, supplements can be negotiated in accordance with DTU’s salary structure for scientific staff: www.inside.dtu.dk/en/human-resources/during-employment/salary/salary-structures .

The period of employment is 2 years.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information

Further information may be obtained from Professor Leif Katsuo Oxenløwe, [e-mail].

You can read more about DTU Electro at www.electro.dtu.dk.

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

DTU Electro employs more than 300 skilled researchers with competencies in electrical and photonics engineering. As a department we strive towards creating sustainable energy and a greener internet, as well as strengthening cyber security and health technology. Working with the industry and public organizations is one of our top priorities to find and implement new solutions to our society. We aim to offer education, research, and innovation of the highest standard, and our focus on application-oriented research enables us to work across many engineering disciplines and research areas, such as IT and the medical and health sciences. We have a close collaboration with researchers from all over the world, just as we collaborate with industry and public authorities about the dissemination of solutions based on electrical and photonics engineering as their key enabling technologies.

DTU – For the benefit of society since 1829 DTU is one of Europe's leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe's global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.