Optical Scientist Photonic Integrated Circuits (PIC) | DELFT

TNO; Delft; On-site; EUR 57,648 - 78,540; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary range

Holiday pay

13th month bonus

Flex budget

Relocation package

Flexible working hours

Work from home

Pension

Job summary

TNO Optics is seeking an Optical Scientist specialized in integrated photonics to develop, validate and implement PIC devices and systems for medical instrumentation, op-to-acoustics, optical satellite communication and quantum technologies.

You will address thermal, mechanical and electrical aspects, contribute to strategy, design chip architectures, coordinate fabrication and perform experimental characterization of PIC-based solutions.

Qualifications

• PhD in physics or engineering with relevant knowledge.
• Minimum 5 years in photonics, including fibre optics, PICs, nano- and micro-photonics.
• Experience in PIC modelling and device design with listed tools.
• Experience with MATLAB and/or Python for modelling.
• Knowledge of PIC materials, fabrication methods and technologies.
• PIC chip-level testing experience.
• Multidisciplinary thinker connecting physics domains for integrated solutions.
• Ambitious to advance skills in application-driven photonics.
• Fluent English communication.

Responsibilities

• Provide up-to-date PIC technology expertise.
• Contribute to vision and roadmaps for PIC technology at TNO and collaborations.
• Develop and execute measurement protocols and setups for tests.
• Relate PIC performance to the system architecture.
• Validate PIC technology in use cases across applications.
• Establish collaborations, including national and EU projects.
• Guide colleagues from diverse departments to enable PIC-based systems.
• Deliver high-quality work meeting customer needs.

Skills

PhD in physics or engineering

Multidisciplinary mindset

English communication

Ambitious to develop photonics

Education

PhD in physics or engineering

Tools

Lumerical

Photon Design

Synopsis

KLayout

Nazca

MATLAB

Python

Job description

About this position

TNO Optics ontwerpt en realiseert hoogwaardige optische systemen voor een breed scala aan toepassingen, zoals atmosferische monitoring vanuit de ruimte, optische satellietcommunicatie, medische instrumentatie, quantumtechnologieën, structural health monitoring en instrumentatie voor de halfgeleiderindustrie. Dit werk doen we voor klanten zoals Airbus, NASA en ESA, en voor projecten zoals de Sentinel5-satelliet voor wereldwijde monitoring van luchtkwaliteit en ITER. Onze expertise op het gebied van optische technologie varieert van grootschalige geometrische optica tot glasvezeloptica, geïntegreerde fotonica en subgolflengte‑metamaterialen. Met een achtergrond in toegepaste natuurkunde of engineering en een sterke interesse in geïntegreerde fotonica werk je als Optical Scientist gespecialiseerd in Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs). TNO ontwikkelt PICs voor toepassingen in opto‑akoestiek, quantumtechnologie, metrologie, lidar en biosensing. Onze projecten zijn doorgaans multidisciplinair en combineren PIC‑expertise met substantiële kennis van de betreffende toepassingsdomeinen.

What will be your role?

As an Optical Scientist specialised in integrated photonics you will be involved in the development, validation and implementation of PIC devices and systems, including PIC components, for various markets such as medical instrumentation, opto‑acoustics, optical satellite communication and quantum technologies. Your work relates not only to optical aspects but also to thermal, mechanical and acoustic considerations. You will reflect on manufacturability, cost and optical and electrical interconnect, and analyse power budget, transfer functions and noise performance. You will contribute to the technology strategy, system architectures, chip designs and coordination of fabrication at selected foundries, as well as to experimental characterization and validation of PIC‑based devices and systems.

Responsibilities

• Providing and maintaining up‑to‑date technical expertise on PIC technology
• Contributing to developing the vision and roadmaps for PIC technology at TNO and within our collaborations
• Developing and executing measurement protocols for standardized and custom tests and developing the required measurement setups
• Relating PIC performance to the higher‑level architecture of the system in which the PIC is one of the components
• Successful validation of PIC technology in use cases for a range of applications
• Establishing collaborations and creating opportunities, including initiation of national and EU funded projects and programs
• Guiding colleagues from various departments, with a range of different expertise, to enable PIC‑based systems
• Delivering high‑quality work to satisfy the needs of our customers

Qualifications

• A PhD degree in physics or engineering, with knowledge relevant for the tasks described above
• At least 5 years of experience working in the domain of photonics, including fibre optics, PICs, and micro‑ and nanophotonics
• Experience in PIC modelling and device design (e.g. Lumerical, Photon Design, Synopsis, KLayout, Nazca or similar)
• Experience in the use of MATLAB and/or Python for modelling and signal processing
• Knowledge of PIC material platforms, fabrication methods and technologies
• Experience in PIC chip‑level testing
• A multi‑disciplinary spirit, and the ability to connect multiple domains in physics to create integrated solutions
• You are ambitious and would like to further develop your skills in the field of integrated photonics with a focus on application‑driven technology development
• Like to work together with others to achieve the best results
• Able to communicate fluently in English (you will have many international colleagues and collaborators)

Benefits

• Gross monthly salary between €4804,00 and €6545,00 (based on your knowledge and experience)
• 8% holiday pay
• 13th month bonus of 8.33%
• Flex budget (5.58% + €180)
• Opportunity to develop yourself through courses, workshops, conferences, training and coaching based on your needs
• 33 days annual leave plus a flexible holiday that can be used on a cultural, religious, or otherwise important day of your choosing (on a full‑time basis)
• Employment in a respectful, inclusive, and equitable work environment with initiatives such as Jong TNO, various expertise‑based guilds, Rainbow Community and Round Tables on diverse inclusion topics
• Comprehensive and flexible mobility plan including full compensation for public transportation for commuting and business travel
• Great social events with your team and other TNO colleagues
• Flexible working hours, the possibility to work part‑time (32 or 36 hours) and the possibility of working from home
• Extensive relocation package for international candidates
• Good pension scheme