Researcher in training to develop reconfigurable electromagnetic structures for terahertz beam shaping. (Ref. 10267390003)

Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)- BarcelonaTECH; España; On-site; EUR 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)- BarcelonaTECH is seeking a researcher for a PhD project focused on reconfigurable electromagnetic structures and diffractive elements for terahertz frequencies. The role combines modeling, design and numerical optimization with prototype validation, under the ATHENA framework.

The candidate will develop Python-based tools, perform simulations in Fourier optics and EM modelling, and collaborate towards a doctoral thesis while contributing to reports,

Qualifications

• Pursuing a doctoral project linked to ATHENA.
• Progressive autonomy and scientific rigor.
• Ability to communicate and document results in English.
• Teamwork and collaboration with the research team.

Responsibilities

• Analyze data, document software and results; contribute to reports and publications.
• Design and optimize diffractive elements and reconfigurable structures for terahertz beams.
• Model wave propagation with Fourier optics and EM simulations.
• Develop Python tools for optimization and inverse design; ML methods for diffractive computing.
• Prototype implementation, characterization and comparison with simulations.
• Numerical models of optical/EM systems; verification/validation of results.
• Numerical methods for EM simulation (FDTD with Meep) and scientific programming in Python (NumPy, SciPy).
• Development tools and HPC: Git for version control and scalable computations.

Skills

English communication

Catalan basics

Spanish communication

Education

Master's degree in Photonics/Optics

Tools

Python

Meep

Git

Job description

Organisation/Company Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)- BarcelonaTECH Research Field Physics » Optics Physics » Electromagnetism Engineering » Communication engineering Engineering » Electronic engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 26 Oct 2026 - 23:00 (Europe/Madrid) Country Spain Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 37.50 Offer Starting Date 16 Nov 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number 10267390003 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The research will focus on reconfigurable electromagnetic structures and diffractive elements for terahertz frequencies, connecting computational photonics with applications in communications, sensing, and computing.

Mission:

Develop reconfigurable electromagnetic structures for terahertz beam shaping, with applications in communications, detection and computing. The research will combine modeling, design and numerical optimization with the implementation and validation of prototypes.

Functions to be developed:

• Analyze data, document software and results, and contribute to reports, publications, and scientific presentations, within the framework of a doctoral thesis.
• Design and optimize diffractive elements and reconfigurable structures to control the amplitude, phase and spatial distribution of terahertz beams.
• Model the propagation and diffraction of waves and the interaction with electromagnetic and photonic structures using Fourier optics and electromagnetic simulation.
• Develop scientific calculation tools in Python and optimization and machine learning methods for inverse design and diffractive computing.
• Participate in the implementation of prototypes, their characterization and the comparison of experimental results with simulations, in collaboration with the team.
• Numerical models of optical or electromagnetic systems: Implementation, verification and validation and interpreting the physical results.
• Numerical methods for physical systems and electromagnetic simulation, especially FDTD with Meep or equivalent tools.
• Scientific programming and data analysis: Development of reproducible simulation and analysis flows in Python (NumPy, SciPy), as well as data processing and visualization.
• Development tools and infrastructure: Version management with Git and execution of calculations in high-performance environments (HPC).

Other requirements to consider:

• Availability to develop a doctoral thesis linked to ATHENA and participate in design, implementation and experimental validation activities with the support of the team.
• Progressive autonomy and scientific rigor.
• Ability to communicate and document results in English.
• Teamwork.

Specific Requirements

Knowledge:

• Computational engineering, applied mathematics or scientific computing on CPU/GPU.
• Physical optics and propagation simulation: Fourier optics, diffraction, beam propagation (angular spectrum method, FFT) and photonic design tools with tolerance analysis.
• Optical computing and machine learning: Diffractive optical neural networks, differentiable propagation models and optimization algorithms using PyTorch.
• It will be assessed:
  • Master's degree in Photonics, Optics or related areas.

Professional Experience:

• In scientific software development, data generation and calculation acceleration on CPU/GPU.
• In modeling and simulation of photonic systems or optical computing components, including academic projects, internships and final theses.
• Have worked on projects involving diffractive optical neural networks, propagation through the angular spectrum or implementation of machine learning models.
• Have participated in collaborative photonics projects and interacted with design, manufacturing or characterization teams.
• Experience in functions similar to those described will be valued, specifically in the development of research activities, both in the university and industrial environment.

Languages CATALAN Level Basic

Languages ENGLISH Level Good

Languages SPANISH Level Good

Research Field Physics » OpticsPhysics » ElectromagnetismEngineering » Communication engineeringEngineering » Electronic engineering Years of Research Experience 1 - 4

Additional Information

• 1st year: €20,364.96
• 2nd year: €20,364.96
• 3rd year: €25,456.20

Eligibility criteria

All the candidates who cannot prove the required academic degree will be immediately withdrawn from the selection process.

The CVs will be assessed according the following general criteria:

• The maximum score for the candidates who accomplish all the eligibility criteria stated in the job offer will be 10 points.
• Threshold: 5 points.
• The maximum score (10 points) will be distributed as follows:
• 1 point for required speciality.
• 2 points for required academic training.
• 2 points for technic competences.
• 1 point for organisational competences.
• 3 points for professional experience.
• 1 point for any aspect of the candidate’s professional profile to be determined as specially relevant by the Selection committee.

If the selection committee decide to include a personal interview as additional step of the selection process, only the candidates scored 5 or above for their CV will be retained for the interview step.

The interview will be assessed according the following criteria:

• Threshold: 3 points.
• The maximum score will be distributed according the following criteria:
• 2 points for adequacy to functional competences of the job.
• 2 points for adequacy of professional experience.
• 1 point for any aspect of the candidate’s professional profile to be determined as especially relevant by the Selection committee.

The eligible candidates will be ranked from highest to lowest score, being this the selection criteria.

Selection process

The planned selection process is as follows:

• The members of the selection committee will decide for each case what the selection process will be, if an assessment is made only for the curriculum vitae or any other procedure is planned: interview, tests, etc ...
• Each phase of the selection process will be reported on the website where the offer is published. If applicable, indicate your request.
• Finally, the name of the person selected will be published on the same website where the offer is published.

Additional comments

Remember that the resume should not include any personal data or photographs.

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Department of Signal Theory and Communications (TSC) Country Spain State/Province Barcelona City Barcelona Postal Code 08034 Street Jordi Girona, 1-3 Geofield