Job offer

European Commission; España; Presencial; EUR 36.000 - 50.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

Le VLC Photonics recherche des candidats motivés pour un poste de doctorat dans le cadre de la formation à l'innovation en photonique. Ce projet financé par l'Union Européenne offre une formation spécialisée en conception de circuits photoniques intégrés et en traitement de signal, avec des opportunités d'apprentissage et de collaboration à l'international.

Servicios

Additional allowance for mobility expenses

Family allowance eligibility

Coverage for PhD tuition fees

Formación

• Diplôme requis: Master en physique ou ingénierie.
• Intérêt pour la photonique et l'intelligence artificielle.
• Capacité à travailler en équipe et communiquer efficacement.

Responsabilidades

• Conception et mise en œuvre d'un accélérateur basé sur des circuits photoniques intégrés.
• Formation sur le design et la simulation de circuits photoniques intégrés.
• Développement d'un cadre modulaire pour évaluer les accélérateurs.

Conocimientos

Communication

Analytic reporting

Problem solving

Scientific curiosity

Team collaboration

Educación

Master's degree in physics or engineering

Herramientas

Python

Matlab/Octave

C/C++

Descripción del empleo

Organisation/Company VLC Photonics Department Design Research Field Engineering » Communication engineering Physics » Applied physics Engineering » Electronic engineering Physics » Electronics Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Country Spain Application Deadline 21 Jul 2025 - 10:00 (Europe/Madrid) Type of Contract Permanent Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 36 Offer Starting Date 1 Aug 2025 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - MSCA Reference Number 101169118 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

VLC Photonics invites highly motivated candidates to send their applications for a Ph.D. position in the framework of photonics-based neuromorphic information processing. This Ph.D. opportunity is part of the Marie-Curie Innovative Training Network project POST-DIGITAL Plus, which received funding from the Horizon Europe (2021-2027) research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 101169118.

Marie-Curie Innovative Training Network Eligibility criteria:

Applicant must hold a master’s degree at the time when the Ph.D. contract begins. Masters from all European countries are eligible. For international Master's programs, the program curriculum must be provided. In any circumstance, the applicant must abide by the Horizon MSCA Eligibility Rules.

The Early Stage Researcher (ESR) shall, at the date of recruitment by VLC Photonics, be in the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience) of his/her research career and have not been awarded a doctoral degree. The researcher must not have resided or carried out his/her main activity (studies, etc.) in Spain for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to his/her recruitment, as per Horizon MSCA Mobility Rule.

If the ITN eligibility criteria are not met, the application will be immediately rejected.

POSITION-RELATED TASKS

Main objectives of this position:

In modern computing, convolutional operations form the bedrock for data processing in deep learning. While integrated photonic circuits (PICs) have shown strong potential in various applications, there is an emerging opportunity to combine PICs with convolutional accelerators. This project aims to design and implement a state-of-the-art PIC-based convolutional accelerator. Optimizing for simultaneous temporal (time-based) and wavelength-division multiplexing processing. The candidate will be trained on the concept and tools used for integrated photonic circuit design and simulation, in analog/digital photonic signal processing, and non-linear photonic signal components and circuits. She/he will learn to design and characterize photonic integrated circuits that will be experimentally demonstrated.

Expected results:

The development of a modular framework that can be applied widely to benchmark accelerators. The realization of drastically more efficient algorithm-hardware pairs for specific AI or optimization tasks. The introduction of novel, abstract inverse design techniques and their practical application to optimize actual hardware platforms

Planned academic secondments:

CSIC - 2 months - Training in high-speed measurements

UGent - 2months - Training in applying novel ML-based algorithm for PICs control

Where to apply

E-mail [e-mail]

Requirements

Research Field Physics » Electromagnetism Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field Physics » Optics Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

REQUIRED BACKGROUND/EDUCATION

• You have a Master's or equivalent degree in physics or engineering (or will be obtained before 1st June 2025) with interests in photonics, experimental physics, computational electromagnetism, and artificial intelligence.
• You are prepared to collaborate with a large network of researchers and industrial partners across Europe who may work in different disciplines, and to engage actively in interdisciplinary research.
• You can work efficiently and reliably, independently as well as in teams. Good communication skills are a must, and scientific curiosity will be highly regarded. Proficiency in English is expected, and some level of Spanish is recommended but not mandatory.

Specific Requirements

SUMMARY OF REQUIRED SKILLS

• Knowledge of optics and photonics technology. Master's or equivalent studies in physics or engineering. Knowledge of integrated photonics will be taken into consideration.
• Python, Matlab/Octave user knowledge, experience as a software developer will be well regarded. Certain knowledge of C, C++, and Cuda is helpful.
• Analytic reporting, results analysis, and problem solving.
• Proficient in English, both spoken and written.
• Very proactive and versatile character.
• Organized, with the capability to deal with tight deadlines.
• Availability for international travel.
• Good communication skills. Good presentation skills, presence, and correctness will be taken into consideration

VALUABLE SKILLS

• Practical experience on an optical laboratory, measurement equipment and tools, photonic integrated circuit (PIC) characterization and test skills.
• Knowledge of PIC fabrication/packaging.
• Experience with Photonic integrated circuit (PIC) design tools: Rsoft/Synopsys, Photon Design, IPKISS/Luceda, Lumerical, VPI, etc.
• Experience in photonic integration technology and its ecosystem.
• Other languages (e.g., French, German, Dutch, Chinese, Russian). Spanish not strictly needed, but recommended.
• Experience with LaTeX for technical and scientific writing.
• Know-how of Zotero, JabRef, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and other online tools and applications to search and manage scientific references.
• User knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Experience with Linux-based systems.
• Good international networking skills.
• Scientific curiosity, ambition for intellectual growth, and critical thinking.

Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent

Additional Information

The selected candidates will be employed a full-time contract. The salary follows the Marie Curie-Skłodowska DN funding Scheme. On top of the regular compensation, an extra allowance will be available to cover mobility expenses. The living allowance will be subject to a country correction coefficient, according to the country of a hosting organisation. Applicants may also be eligible for a family allowance.

Selection process

To apply, initially send your CV, a cover letter and supporting documents by email (using the subject header " POSTDIGITAL Plus application").

Additional comments

Additional comments

POSTDIGITAL Plus is explicitly committed to the principle of equal opportunities. For further information please contact Natalia Manuilovich ( [e-mail] )

PhD tuition fee: The POSTDIGITAL Plus fellowship includes a bursary to cover PhD tuition fees.

Acknowledgement: This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under the MSCA GA101169118