Assistant/Associate Professor In Physics and engineering of reliability in PICs

Eindhoven University of Technology; Eindhoven; On-site; EUR 55,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday allowance

Year-end bonus

Leave days

Pension

Mentoring program

Development track

Job summary

Eindhoven University of Technology’s Photonic Integration group invites applications for Assistant/Associate Professor in Physics and engineering of reliability in PICs. Develop research on reliability, degradation, and lifetime of PICs and light sources, using experiments and modeling to reveal failure mechanisms.

The role includes teaching BSc/MSc courses, supervising PhD students, and pursuing Dutch/EU funding.

Qualifications

• Expertise in reliability physics and failure mechanisms in photonic devices.
• Experience with experimental and modeling approaches to reliability.
• Ability to translate reliability insights into device and process improvements.
• Strong teaching and mentoring interest.

Responsibilities

• Develop an internationally recognized research program on reliability of PICs and light sources.
• Collaborate across disciplines to explore common failure and degradation mechanisms.
• Teach and develop BSc/MSc courses, supervise PhD students and postdocs.
• Secure research funding from national and European programs (Dutch, Horizon Europe, ERC).

Skills

Reliability physics

Degradation mechanisms

Lifetime assessment

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Teaching and supervision

Education

PhD in Electrical Engineering / Applied Physics / Materials Science

Job description

Are you eager to tackle some of the most fundamental reliability challenges in next-generation semiconductor and photonic technologies? Are you intrigued by why diode lasers and PICs fail? We invite ambitious researchers to join Eindhoven University of Technology and establish a world-leading research program on the mechanisms that drive reliability in integrated photonics. This is a unique opportunity to combine scientific discovery with technological impact and shape the future of photonic systems for communications, computing, sensing, and quantum applications.

Introduction

The Photonic Integration group (PhI) at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) is seeking a high-potential candidate for a position as Assistant/Associate Professor in Physics and engineering of reliability in PICs. Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) are becoming essential building blocks for optical communications, sensing, quantum technologies, and emerging photonic computing systems. As PIC complexity continues to grow, reliability and lifetime increasingly determine their successful deployment. We invite applicants with expertise in reliability physics, degradation mechanisms, and lifetime assessment of semiconductor devices, and use this understanding to improve device and process design. The successful candidate will develop an internationally recognized research line focused on reliability for PICs and integrated light sources. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, laser aging and degradation, defect propagation, reliability of heterogeneous III-V/silicon integration, high optical power effects, thermo-mechanical stress, thermal cycling, active device aging, and reliability-aware photonic design. The candidate is expected to establish experimental and modeling activities that provide fundamental insight into failure mechanisms while supporting the development of robust photonic technologies.

Group

The position is embedded within the Photonic Integration group in the Department of Electrical Engineering. The new faculty member will be encouraged to build their own independent research program while creating strong synergies with ongoing activities in photonic integration, integrated light sources, photonic packaging, optical communications, and emerging photonic computing. Links to comparable activities in mechanical engineering and applied physics will be encouraged. We offer a stimulating international environment, excellent research facilities, and opportunities to collaborate with leading academic and industrial partners worldwide. We welcome ambitious researchers who are eager to shape the next generation of reliable photonic technologies.

Job Description

• Develop an internationally recognized research program on the reliability, robustness, and lifetime of photonic integrated circuits and integrated light sources, combining experimental and modeling approaches to understand, predict, and mitigate failure mechanisms. The successful candidate will establish new research directions in failure and reliability mechanisms in integrated photonics, with a particular focus on wafer-scale and heterogeneous integration, leveraging our unique and world-leading research infrastructure.
• Collaborate across disciplines, most notably the wider field of semicon, to explore synergies and common physics and failure and degradation mechanisms
• Contribute to TU/e’s educational mission by teaching and developing BSc and MSc courses, supervising PhD students and postdocs, and potentially contribute to the university’s life-long learning goals.
• Acquire research funding from national and European programs (e.g., Dutch, Horizon Europe, ERC) and develop strategic collaborations with leading academic and industrial partners in photonics and semiconductors.

In this role, you will contribute to the ambition of the Dutch national Beethoven program to attract and educate top talent in the field of semicon, with the aim of strengthening our industry.

Job Requirements

• Holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, Materials Science, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in reliability physics, accelerated testing and failure mechanisms of photonic, optoelectronic, or semiconductor devices
• Experimental and statistical approach to the analysis, assessment and understanding of high-optical-power effects, materials and interface degradation, stress mechanisms, or multiphysics reliability modeling.
• Is able to translate reliability insights into improvements in device, circuit or process design.
• Has a clear and distinct research vision and is able to formulate that and execute strategically
• Is able to thrive in a highly multi-disciplinary and team-focused environment.
• Has a strong track record of scientific achievement, as evidenced by publications, prizes, patents and/or grants, and/or equivalent proof of expertise for candidates with an industrial background.
• Has an affinity with teaching, mentoring and supervision

We particularly welcome applicants from the broader fields of semiconductor device reliability, integrated circuit reliability, microelectronics, optoelectronics, and photonic device engineering. Prior experience in integrated photonics is welcome but not required. We are especially interested in candidates who can articulate a compelling research vision for advancing reliability methodologies and technologies for future photonic integrated systems.

We encourage applications from talented candidates at different career stages, including early-career researchers and professionals with significant industry experience.

Conditions of Employment

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station.

In Addition, We Offer You

• Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale 11 - 14, min. € 4,925 max. € 8,992 gross per month (on a full-time basis).
• In addition to your base salary, you will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus, both calculated based on your annual gross base salary.
• Generous leave options: a standard 29 days (based on a 38 hour working week) per year that you can increase to 41 days by working two hours more per week (flexible working hours). This is prorated if you work part-time.
• As a TU/e employee, you participate in the ABP pension scheme, providing retirement pension and pension benefits for surviving dependents and occupational disability. TU/e pays 70% of the pension premium, while employees contribute the remaining 30%.
• A dedicated mentoring program to help you get to know the university and the Dutch (research) environment.
• A Development Track with the prospect of becoming an Associate Professor. If you have a more senior profile, a tailor-made career proposal will be considered.
• High‑quality training programs for academic leadership and teaching.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children’s day care.
• Unlimited access to the modern on-campus TU/e Student Sports Center at a very affordable rate.
• We support your wellbeing with free 24/7 access to OpenUp, providing you and your family with mental health support, expert guidance, and online training.
• Partially paid parental leave and an allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team is available for international candidates, as are a tax compensation scheme (the Expat Scheme) and partner career support.

On our website you can discover even more information about our conditions of employment. Build your career at TU/e!

About Us

We are a leading international university where scientific curiosity meets a hands‑on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community. Discover what Light Up means to TU/e in our short company video.

Our university is located in Brainport Eindhoven — a world‑leading tech region with more than 7,000 high-tech companies and strong R&D activity. Known for breakthroughs in AI, photonics, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, Brainport is a place where technology serves people and society. Learn more about the Brainport region here.

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager prof. dr. Kevin Williams, Full Professor at TU/e, via [e-mail] or prof dr Martijn Heck, Full Professor at TU/e via [e-mail].

Recruitment Process

We look forward to receiving your application at the latest Friday the 4th of December 24:00h CET, 2026.

• Online interviews with the selection committee.
• Candidates’ day on our campus, including interviews and introduction program to get to know the group, the department and our university.
• A formal interview with a Recruitment Advisory Committee.