Research associate in the field of active silicon photonics (IOF-2022-131) in Jena bei Fraunhofer Gesellschaft

Fraunhofer is the largest organization for application-oriented research in Europe. Our research fields are geared to people's needs: Health, Safety, Communication, Mobility, Energy and Environment. We are creative, we shape technology, we design products, we improve processes, we open up new paths.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF in Jena conducts application-oriented research on behalf of industry and within the framework of publicly funded joint projects. The range of services offered by the Fraunhofer IOF includes system solutions, starting with new design concepts, through the development of new technologies, manufacturing and measurement processes, to the construction of prototypes and pilot series in the wavelength range from millimeters to nanometers.

The project group SILIQUA (“silicon-based photonic building blocks for on-chip lighting, modulation, sensing and quantum applications”) at Fraunhofer IOF deals with active silicon photonics, in particular the functionalization of silicon resonators with electro-optically active coatings or defects. Nanoscopic modulable photonic silicon resonators will be developed to integrate them in prototypes of photonic silicon LEDs, lasers, quantum light sources, modulators or sensors on the chip level. In the process, the design and fabrication of the resonator structures will be optimized using machine learning methods.

To support the project group SILIQUA, we are looking for a research associate to design and characterize silicon photonic resonators tailored for specific applications. You will integrate the resulting tailor-made silicon photonic resonators with silicon functionalization strategies which you will develop with the help of another sub-project. You will drive forward the realization of advanced micro- and nanoscale silicon photonic building blocks up to the prototype stage. The position offers the opportunity for a PhD, but is equally open to applicants who have completed a PhD.

What you will do

• Numerical and machine learning enabled design and supervising the manufacturing of silicon photonic resonators according to application-specific requirements
• Develop recipes to functionalize silicon by high energy ion implantation
• Setting up a state-of-the-art photoluminescence and atomic force microscopy setup for the characterization of photonic resonators and building blocks
• Structural, optical, and electro-optical characterization of pristine and optically functionalized silicon and silicon photonic resonators
• Build up a database on project related fabrication recipes and experimental results and use it for the design of experiments
• Driving forward silicon photonic resonator device integration and prototype development in collaboration with other Fraunhofer institutes
• Collaboration with external research groups in the field of characterization of functionalized silicon and silicon photonic resonators
• Publication and presentation of research results in peer-reviewed journals and at conferences

What you bring to the table

• You successfully completed a university degree, in the field of physics, optics, or a comparable field and are fascinated about photonics, micro- and quantum optics
• A completed PhD is an advantage.
• You have experience and expertise in the field of micro- and nanostructure technology
• You know how to install and operate an optical setup and you are familiar with the spectroscopic characterization of photonic materials
• Ideally you have worked with at least one of the following techniques: atomic force microscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, cathodoluminescence spectroscopy
• You already gained first experiences in modeling of photonic structures
• You have Python programming skills and first experiences in the machine learning enabled data analysis
• You have a high technical understanding as well as strong analytical skills
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills as well as an independent, pro-active, creative, and diligent way of working characterize you
• As Fraunhofer IOF works on an international level in many ways, we require a good command of written and spoken German and English

What you can expect

• The opportunity to do research in a new field at the interface of materials science, photonics, and quantum optics
• Independent work as well as personal and profe