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

AcademicTransfer; Netherlands; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

8% holiday allowance

8.3% year-end bonus

ABP pension scheme

On‑campus child care

Wellbeing support (OpenUp)

Job summary

Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) seeks an Assistant/Associate Professor in Physics and engineering of reliability in photonic integrated circuits (PICs) and integrated light sources. The role focuses on reliability physics, degradation, and lifetime assessment of semiconductor devices, with opportunities to lead independent research while engaging in photonic integration and related areas.

The candidate will build experimental and modeling activities, collaborate across disciplines,

Qualifications

• PhD in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or Materials Science.
• Experience with reliability physics and accelerated testing.
• Ability to perform experimental and modeling work on photonic devices.
• Translate reliability insights into device/ design improvements.

Responsibilities

• Develop an internationally recognized research program on reliability for PICs and integrated light sources.
• Collaborate across disciplines to explore failure mechanisms and cross-field synergies.
• Contribute to TU/e’s educational mission by teaching and supervising students.
• Secure research funding from national and European programs and form partnerships with industry.

Skills

Reliability physics

Degradation mechanisms

Lifetime assessment

Experimental & modeling work

Team collaboration

Education

PhD in Electrical Engineering

Job description

Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e)

Organisation/Company Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) Research Field Engineering » Electrical engineering Engineering » Electronic engineering Physics » Optics Physics » Applied physics Researcher Profile Leading Researcher (R4) Established Researcher (R3) Application Deadline 4 Dec 2026 - 22:59 (UTC) Country Netherlands Type of Contract Permanent Job Status Not Applicable Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

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.
Information
As an Assistant/Associate Professor, you will:

• 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.

• 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.

Additional Information

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:

• 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.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on‑campus children’s day care.
• 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.

We invite you to submit a complete application. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references. Kindly note that we may reach out to references at any stage of the recruitment process. We recommend notifying your references upon submitting your application.
• Description of your scientific achievements and research plan for the coming five years (max 2 pages).
• Statement of your relevant teaching experience and goals for the coming five years (max 2 pages).

Ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. Please note that incomplete applications may not be considered and could be rejected.

Recruitment process:
We look forward to receiving your application at the latest Friday the 4th of December 24:00h CET, 2026. The recruitment process will include the following sequential selection rounds:

• 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.

Additional comments

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] .
Visit our website for more information about the application process . You can also contact You can also contact Thomas Slegers, Senior Recruiter via [e-mail] or [phone].
Curious to hear more about what it's like as a professor at TU/e? Please watch the video .
Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page .