PhD on terahertz Imaging transmitter based on photonic integrated circuits

Introduction

• Are you inspired by the challenge of pushing the limits of high-frequency imaging?
• Are you fascinated by the intersection of terahertz technology and cutting-edge photonic integration?
• Are you our next PhD-candidate in the field of advanced THz systems and integrated photonics?
• Are you eager to work on novel transmitter architectures for high-resolution terahertz imaging?
• Are you passionate about developing cutting-edge technology with real-world impact in healthcare, security, or materials analysis?

We are offering a fully-funded PhD position focused on the development of a compact, high-performance terahertz imaging transmitter leveraging the power of photonic integration. This position is part of the PhotonDelta program, aiming to drive innovation in the Dutch integrated photonics ecosystem.

The goal of this PhD project is to design, fabricate, and characterize a photonic integrated circuit (PIC)-based terahertz transmitter for advanced imaging applications. The complete system will include the THz transmitter, THz imaging setup, and THz detection modules. The core focus of your research will be the development of a fully packaged PIC-based THz transmitter module, optimized for high-resolution imaging performance. The result of the project will contribute to the roadmap and goals of the NGF fotonica in the area of integrated photonics for THz imaging and sensing.

Job Description
After years of research and technological advancements, THz imaging systems are transitioning from academic labs to real-world industrial applications. Combined with millimetre-wave technologies, THz imaging offers 3D imaging capabilities with high lateral and depth resolution ideal for applications in security, health diagnostics, materials inspection, and beyond.

However, realizing these capabilities requires reconfigurable, stable, and efficient THz sources capable of beam focusing and steering. Photonic based THz sources have the advantages of high-stability, broad tunability and capability to operate in room-temperature. It offers the unique opportunity to ensure a high modulation index and/or phase coding introduced from optical coherent network technologies.

Your PhD research will contribute to:

• Explore the integration of existing state-of-the-art THz generation techniques.
• Design, fabricate, and characterize high-performance PIC-based THz transmitters.
• Develop a fully packaged transmitter module for THz imaging
• Evaluate beam steering, focusing, and imaging resolution.
• Contribute to the NGF PhotonDelta program of the ECO group.
• Feed results into national efforts and reviews via the PhotonDelta evaluation framework

What's in it for you?

• You will learn and work on advanced PIC based THz technology.
• You will be able to join a large national consortium, thereby expanding your network.
• Excellent opportunities for personal development with amongst others personal coaching and training opportunities.
• Close collaboration with industry and academic partners.
• Your findings will directly contribute to enhancing (future) THz applications.
• Access to state-of-the-art THz labs
• Full PhD funding with salary and benefits.

Job Requirements

• A master’s degree (or an equivalent degree) in electrical engineering, applied physics, or related areas.
• A multi-disciplinary research-oriented attitude.
• Interest in photonic integrated circuit (PIC) design, particularly for high-frequency applications.
• Motivation to contribute to solving the THz source challenge by developing transmitters that are compact, high-power, and stable.
• Ability to work both independently and in a multidisciplinary team
• Interested in collaborating with industrial partners.
• Strong analytical, experimental, and communication skills.
• Motivated to develop your teaching skills and coach students.
• Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level).

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:

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 2,901 max. € 3,707).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.

Information
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager dr. Min Wan, m.wan@tue.nl.

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact HR Services Flux, hrservices.flux@tue.nl.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application
We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. 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.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.

PhD on terahertz Imaging transmitter based on photonic integrated circuits

After years of research and technological advancements, THz imaging systems are transitioning from academic labs to real-world industrial applications. Combined with millimetre-wave technologies, THz imaging offers 3D imaging capabilities with high lateral and depth resolution ideal for applications in security, health diagnostics, materials inspection, and beyond.

However, realizing these capabilities requires reconfigurable, stable, and efficient THz sources capable of beam focusing and steering. Photonic based THz sources have the advantages of high-stability, broad tunability and capability to operate in room-temperature. It offers the unique opportunity to ensure a high modulation index and/or phase coding introduced from optical coherent network technologies.

Your PhD research will contribute to:

• Explore the integration of existing state-of-the-art THz generation techniques.
• Design, fabricate, and characterize high-performance PIC-based THz transmitters.
• Develop a fully packaged transmitter module for THz imaging
• Evaluate beam steering, focusing, and imaging resolution.
• Contribute to the NGF PhotonDelta program of the ECO group.
• Feed results into national efforts and reviews via the PhotonDelta evaluation framework

What's in it for you?

• You will learn and work on advanced PIC based THz technology.
• You will be able to join a large national consortium, thereby expanding your network.
• Excellent opportunities for personal development with amongst others personal coaching and training opportunities.
• Close collaboration with industry and academic partners.
• Your findings will directly contribute to enhancing (future) THz applications.
• Access to state-of-the-art THz labs
• Full PhD funding with salary and benefits.

Research IT Consultant

Job description
Are you an IT enthusiast who wants to rise above yourself, in your profession and as a person? At the TU/e, scientists and students continuously create the unthinkable. The strength of the IT landscape is their key to success and, hence, so are you. These creative minds expect you to offer them a solution for tomorrow that doesn’t exist today. Together we are building the high performance backbone that this epicenter of science and technology demands. Are you driven by taking ownership and do you have an entrepreneurial mindset? We like to get in touch with you!

The position
As a Technical Departmental Research IT consultant and technical solutions expert you act as a connector between a scientific department, and the central IT organization. You act on the unique IT needs that exist within the research department and translate the needs of the scientific staff into proposals for sustainable IT solutions. In addition, you provide solicited and unsolicited advice on issues at the interface of the department and IT, including a pioneering role in setting up innovative (specialistic) solutions. You are part of a multidisciplinary team in which you share your knowledge and expertise. This enables you to facilitate researchers at TU/e level in conducting their research. You facilitate in the needs of research, so that scientists can focus on their most innovative work. You will also have the opportunity to build up an extensive network and to specialize in relevant research areas.

The department
With over 260 (assistant, associate and full) professors, 730 PhD and EngD students, almost 1500 Bachelor students and 830 Master students the department of Electrical Engineering and the department of Applied Physics and Science education represent a large section of research at the TU/e. By performing top of the line fundamental and applied research and maintaining strong ties with industry both departments contribute significantly to progress in science and innovation in and beyond the region.

The department’s relationship with the high-tech industry in the Brainport region means that interested staff and students can contribute directly to the development of technological innovations with real-world relevance. Several successful spin-offs have originated from the departments and our staff participates in many national and international research consortia.

Job requirements

• You have a minimum education of a Master’s degree or PhD degree, with several years of experience with conducting research and you are able to convincingly communicate with scientific staff and management;
• You have self-organizing capacity;
• You have affinity with both IT and Research;
• You actively maintain relationships with customers and suppliers;
• You are a pleasant discussion partner for both scientists and internal services, thereby mediating between organization and innovation;
• You have organizational sensitivity;
• You identify the wishes and needs of our researchers, to proactively come up with new project proposals;
• You initiate action to innovate existing products and services.

If you are concerned that you don’t meet all the requirements sufficiently, but the job does excite you, then be sure to respond, we would love to look at your profile.

Conditions of employment
An super-exciting position within an international yet warm and friendly university. You are right in the middle of the students, on a green campus within walking distance of the central station. Besides beautiful architecture, you will find varied workplaces and excellent sports facilities.

We also offer you:

• A monthly salary of minimum €3,378 to maximum €6,209 for full-time employment, depending on your knowledge and experience (scale 10 or 11 collective labour agreement for Dutch Universities). In addition to vacation pay, a structural end-of-year bonus of 8.3%;
• A 0.7 – 0.8 FTE appointment;
• A favorable arrangement for more holidays or a sabbatical;
• A selection model for additional fringe benefits;
• Working hours in consultation for an optimal work-life balance;
• Scope for your talent with advancement prospects and excellent development opportunities such as mentoring, workshops and coaching;
• Partially paid parental leave and reimbursement for commuting expenses;
• A generous employer contribution to the favorable ABP pension plan;

Please feel free to discover even more information about our conditions of employment.

Build on your career at TU/e!

Information and application

About TU/e
TU/e is a leading international university that educates engineers of the future and pushes the boundaries of science and technology for a better world. An international community of over 4,000 employees and more than 12,000 students work and study on the vibrant and inspiring campus.

More information
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to have more information about the position, or for questions about the application process or the conditions of employment. Please contact Rob van der Linden, Senior Recruiter on r.m.e.v.d.linden@tue.nl.

Application If you are interested, please use the ‘apply’ button to send us your CV and letter of application with your motivation and a description of your qualifications.

Screening of candidates begins as soon as applications are received and continues until the position is filled. Where applicable, internal candidates will be given priority over external candidates where they are equally suitable.

We look forward to receiving your application!

PhD on Physical Layer Security for Laser Satellite Communications

We foresee a future where lasers light up the sky to enable high-bandwidth and secure communications to every corner of the Earth. Thanks to the low divergence of laser beams, these optical/infrared signals are much harder to intercept and to jam in comparison to conventional radio communications. However, more security guarantees are needed. Therefore, in this project we invite you – as a candidate PhD – to join the research on physical layer security schemes for free space optical (FSO) channels. Join the information and communication theory lab (ICT Lab) on this exciting EU research project with prestigious institutes, observatories and companies throughout Europe.

Quantum key distribution over satellite networks is envisioned as part of the core infrastructure for future long-distance, resilient, secure communications. Though the optical losses in the free space optical channel are considerably less than in the fiber channel, for large distances, the secure key rates are still very limited. This means in practice that the number of keys, the length of the keys and the rate with which they can be refreshed is limited. To overcome this and enhance the security, in addition to quantum key distribution, classical (optical) key distribution can take place. The classical key distribution can be added – on top of the quantum key distribution – and inherits its security thanks to the low-divergence of laser beams and by exploiting physical optical channel properties and smart two-way handshakes.

As a PhD candidate, you are asked to perform research in this area and come up with innovative concepts. The research includes FSO channel modelling, performing secrecy/capacity analysis for this FSO channel, performing comparative analysis between various methods in terms of their performance, and devising novel physical layer security schemeswith the aim to enhance the security, enable higher secure key rates and longer-distance secure communications.

This position is part of the collaborative EU research project LaiQa which develops key technologies for a global quantum Internet enabled from space. The consortium consists of the Institute of Communication and Computer Systems (ICCS, Greece), the applied research organization TNO (Netherlands), Quantum Technology Laboratories GmbH QTLABS (Austria), Quantum Space Systems GmbH QSSYS (Germany), the National Observatory of Athens (Greece), the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (Greece), and Thales Alenia Space (Italia).

PhD on Physical Layer Security for Laser Satellite Communications

Job Description
We foresee a future where lasers light up the sky to enable high-bandwidth and secure communications to every corner of the Earth. Thanks to the low divergence of laser beams, these optical/infrared signals are much harder to intercept and to jam in comparison to conventional radio communications. However, more security guarantees are needed. Therefore, in this project we invite you – as a candidate PhD – to join the research on physical layer security schemes for free space optical (FSO) channels. Join the information and communication theory lab (ICT Lab) on this exciting EU research project with prestigious institutes, observatories and companies throughout Europe.

Quantum key distribution over satellite networks is envisioned as part of the core infrastructure for future long-distance, resilient, secure communications. Though the optical losses in the free space optical channel are considerably less than in the fiber channel, for large distances, the secure key rates are still very limited. This means in practice that the number of keys, the length of the keys and the rate with which they can be refreshed is limited. To overcome this and enhance the security, in addition to quantum key distribution, classical (optical) key distribution can take place. The classical key distribution can be added – on top of the quantum key distribution – and inherits its security thanks to the low-divergence of laser beams and by exploiting physical optical channel properties and smart two-way handshakes.

As a PhD candidate, you are asked to perform research in this area and come up with innovative concepts. The research includes FSO channel modelling, performing secrecy/capacity analysis for this FSO channel, performing comparative analysis between various methods in terms of their performance, and devising novel physical layer security schemeswith the aim to enhance the security, enable higher secure key rates and longer-distance secure communications.

This position is part of the collaborative EU research project LaiQa which develops key technologies for a global quantum Internet enabled from space. The consortium consists of the Institute of Communication and Computer Systems (ICCS, Greece), the applied research organization TNO (Netherlands), Quantum Technology Laboratories GmbH QTLABS (Austria), Quantum Space Systems GmbH QSSYS (Germany), the National Observatory of Athens (Greece), the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (Greece), and Thales Alenia Space (Italia).

Job Requirements

• Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications or a related topic, with excellent grades.
• Good understanding of physical-layer communications, information theory and (optical) wireless channel models.
• Critical thinking attitude and ability to come up with novel concepts and innovations.
• Ability to professionally cooperate with other students, researchers and external partners.
• Good proficiency in written and verbal English, along with strong communication skills.

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:
• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 2,901 max. € 3,707).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.

Information
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact
he hiring managers dr. Wim Korevaar, Optical Satellite Communications Researcher (SPS Group) at c.w.korevaar@tue.nl or prof. Alex Alvarado, Associate Professor (SPS Group) at a.alvarado@tue.nl.

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. For more information about the research groups in this project please visit; https://www.tue.nl/en/research/research-groups/signal-processing-systems/ https://www.tue.nl/en/research/research-groups/signal-processing-systems/ict-lab.

For any other informal inquires, please contact the secretary of the ICT Lab, Mrs. Emeral Clump-Busser at ictlab@tue.nl.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application
We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button.
The application should include:

• A cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• A curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references.
• Copies of up to five self-selected ‘best and appropriate publications’.
• A copy of the candidate’s PhD Thesis

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.