Nanofabrication engineer for development of novel photonic integrated circuits

Mission

The Laboratory of Photonics and Quantum Measurements (LPQM) at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) is seeking a nanofabrication engineer to develop advanced processes and techniques for next-generation photonic integrated circuits and lasers. This role will involve collaborating with Bühler Group on a 2-year industry research project, which has the potential for startup commercialization.

The researcher will be responsible for developing advanced thin film deposition and ion beam trimming techniques on various material platforms, such as SiN, LTOI and LNOI. He/she will lead the collaboration with the Bühler Group on in-house fabrication of wafer-scale integrated photonic circuits, ensuring optimal operation and reproducibility in the cleanroom facilities (CMi). The candidate will design, fabricate, and characterize PICs for the project, as well as develop and improve existing processes and explore new material platforms and tools available from Bühler. He/she will also regularly travel to the R&D facilities in Germany to assist in optimising the recipes. He/she will prepare quarterly reports and facilitate effective technical exchanges between LPQM and the Bühler Group. High-level publications are expected at the end of the project in collaboration with the industrial partner. The position also offers the potential for technology transfer to a startup.

Main duties and responsibilities

Cleanroom work in CMi/Labwork (60%):

- Fabricate photonics chips using advanced semiconductor processing (etching, lithography, thin film depositions)

- Perform statistical analysis of in-line metrology of the fabrication process, develop measurements to ensure reproducibility

- Explore new material deposition techniques, etching techniques, cladding oxides, wafer platforms

- Test and learn to operate new tools

- Characterize the photonic chip performance

Travelling to Bühler Group in Darmstadt and Leibniz (20%):

- Assist in the process development and master the tools available at Bühler

- Document progress and report back to the team

Design photonic chips and process flows (10%):

- Modify existing designs to test the tool capabilities

- Design new PIC devices to demonstrate the capabilities of the developed processes, using new techniques, tools and materials

Documentation and coordination (10%):

- Quarterly report preparation

- Technical reports on each new process, as defined in the project tasks

- Technical meeting organisation and reporting on a need to go basis

- Publication of new results in high impact journals

Profile

Qualification/experience:

- PhD in engineering or sciences with micro-nanofabrication of PICs as the theme of the thesis

- 3-5 years equivalent experience in thin film process development, instrument operation, and/or the fabrication industry

- Extensive cleanroom experience

Technical skills:

- Ability to rigorously follow processes

- Ability to operate instruments with a high level of patience and attention to detail

- Willingness to maintain highly organized data records

Interpersonal skills:

- Ability to work independently, with a high level of responsibility

- Strong communication skills towards the other lab members, CMi staff and collaborators

- Willingness to work in a multi-national team

- Willingness to travel

Computer/software skills:

- Proficiency with Microsoft Office

- Familiarity with K-layout, COMSOL, Lumerical

Languages:

- Working proficiency in English, German and/or French is a plus

We offer

- A young, dynamic, flexible and highly motivated R&D environment

- A productive team of high scientific and industrial impacts

- Excellent laboratory conditions at Center of MicroNanoTechnology at EPFL

- Opportunity to work on technology development with potential continuation in industry

- Potential for technology transfer to a startup

Information

Contract Start Date : as soon as possible. Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis.

Only applications submitted through the online platform are considered.

Activity Rate : 100%

Contract Type: CDD

Duration: 1 year renewable

Reference: 2546

Contact

For complementary information, please contact Prof. Tobias Kippenberg per e-mail: [email protected]