Senior Research Engineer – Nitride Thin-Film Materials (Photonics Application) // Job-ID: 232-1

Senior Research Engineer – Nitride Thin-Film Materials (Photonics Application)

Join to apply for the Senior Research Engineer – Nitride Thin-Film Materials (Photonics Application) role at Silicon Austria Labs (SAL).

Responsibilities

• Development of thin films for integrated photonics applications.
• Design and execute experiments to optimize photonic materials, guided by device specifications and performance feedback.
• Collaboration with design, fabrication, characterization, and process engineer teams to optimize full process flow and device performance.
• Definition of strategies for material optimization and pursuing scientifically relevant investigations.
• Development of strategies to address novel material properties and novel fields of application.
• Contributing to the standardization of procedures and workflows within the Unit.
• Filing IP disclosures whenever possible and appropriate.
• Contribution to scientific dissemination (publications in high-impact peer-reviewed journals, presentations at conferences).
• Contribution to Unit workflows, project acquisition and project management.
• Position is offered within the Chips JU Pilot Lines.

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field (e.g. materials science, physics or related discipline).
• Hands‑on experience with thin‑film deposition (especially sputtering, CVD) for photonic applications.
• Experience with materials for Photonic Integrated Circuits (e.g. AlN, SiN, LiNbO3).
• Ability to tune optical properties of thin‑film materials.
• Hands‑on experience with optical and structural characterizations (thickness, refractive index, loss, roughness) using relevant tools including ellipsometry, reflectometry, AFM, XRD, SEM.
• Experience working on 200 mm wafers is an advantage.
• Ability to run experiments, analyze data, and optimize material quality.
• Strong documentation and reporting discipline.
• High interest in applied research on photonic thin‑film materials.
• Good collaboration record with internal teams and industrial partners.
• Cleanroom experience, and willingness to work in cleanroom for at least 50% of the time.
• Experience with successful funding applications is an advantage.
• Solid skills in standard office tools and data analysis software (e.g. Origin).
• Very good command of English; German is an asset.
• Experience working in multicultural and multinational teams; respectful, empathetic team player with strong communication and presentation skills.
• Willingness to relocate to Villach, Austria.

Important Facts About SAL

• Diverse research activities with many technical challenges.
• State‑of‑the‑art laboratory facilities and equipment.
• Location in the heart of Europe in Austria – relocation support for non‑European nationalities.
• Internal and external training opportunities for career development.
• Family & children friendly – actively shaping the compatibility of family and career.
• “Vital4SAL” to promote a healthy workplace (e.g. SAL coaching pool, trainings on mental health, physical activities, healthy snacks, 24/7 accident insurance).
• € 4 per day meal allowance in restaurants or € 2 per working day in supermarkets.
• Public transport initiative (subsidy for the “Klimaticket”).
• Our values: open door policy, flexibility in working hours, casual dress code, diverse teams, working with people of different nationalities, informal communication, lifelong learning, sustainability, personal growth, and collective advancement.

Location: Villach, Austria.
Employment type: Full‑time.
Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level.
Salary: Minimum gross salary of € 61,000 annual (All‑in contract).