Postdoc position in Integrated photonic-spintronic devices

Mission

The Hybrid Photonics Laboratory at EPFL is seeking talented and motivated candidates to work in the field of Integrated Photonics for generation of high-quality electronic signals at elevated frequencies beyond 100 GHz. This is a collaborative project with IEMN Lille as part of a Swiss‑French collaborative project. High‑end microwave instrumentation is at the core of communications, computing, metrology, sensing or ranging. Yet, it relies on the availability of broadband tunable, narrow‑linewidth, and bright microwave sources that can be used to excite a high‑frequency circuit or to detect its response via heterodyne techniques.

You will research hybrid photonic‑spintronic chips on silicon nitride, an offering integrated photonic platform providing ultra‑low‑loss, negligible two‑photon absorption, high optical non‑linearity, possibilities to engineer both positive and negative group‑velocity dispersion through waveguide design and high‑Finesse optical resonators, with the aim to develop compact and efficient sources of pulsed and continuous‑wave terahertz radiation in the band from 100 GHz to 10 THz.

As a successful candidate of a dynamic team, you will shape the future of photonics‑based millimeter wave‑optical technology in our young and dynamic lab. You will develop first‑of‑their‑kind hybrid platforms that enable complex high‑frequency operations directly inside miniaturized photonic chips. You will kick off diverse aspects of the experimental effort: technical (setting up an optical measurement setup design, including design of high‑frequency electronics and custom‑tailored mechanical components) and conceptual (develop the theory of millimeter wave/terahertz generation inside photonic chips).

In the lab, you will learn about integrated and free‑space quantum optical technologies and engineering, and nonlinear optics. You will contribute to the automatisation of measurement routines, comprehensive characterisation of fabricated samples and to bridging the area of microwave/terahertz‑optical science and technology with the most modern integrated photonic techniques.

• Develop miniaturised millimeter wave/terahertz oscillators and apply them to photonic circuits, together with their driving software/hardware, automatize measurement procedures.
• Simulate optical and mmW/THz properties using simulation software such as COMSOL or CST.
• Characterize samples in the lab.
• Model experimental data from first principles using Matlab/Python codes.
• Write scientific publications, file patents, and disseminate work at national and international conferences.
• Maintain collaborations and deliver periodic reports that describe your progress within the project.

• PhD in Physics or related fields, strong interest in high‑frequency electronics and integrated photonics, nonlinear optics, high‑frequency electronics, metrology and/or electro‑optic transduction are mandatory. Prior experience in spintronic emitters is desirable.
• Knowledgeable in Python, Matlab, Labview, Inventor, Illustrator, CST Microwave Studio and COMSOL.
• Enjoy thinking about difficult problems and solving them step by step.
• Hands‑on attitude and an interest for taking on new challenges are mandatory for this group. In return, you get to witness setting up experiments from scratch!
• Enjoy collaborations with various other scientific groups, take on a leading junior role in international teams.
• Interested in applying for individual funding through Marie Curie fellowships or others.

• A unique opportunity to contribute and take on entirely new avenues in the field of quantum photonics in a young and dynamic team.
• Excellent infrastructure through the cleanroom at EPFL, the Lausanne Center for ultrafast science, and the Quantum Science Center at EPFL.
• Competitive salary, coverage of conference costs, a dynamic and inspiring scientific community.

Only applications submitted through the online platform are considered.

• A CV with a publication list and list of references.
• A short statement (max. one page) where you outline why you want to join this group, what your specific interests are, how your skills can contribute to the mission of the lab and how you think you can advance in your own academic/scholarly pursuit while being a part of the Hybrid Photonics Laboratory.
• Contact details for 3 referees.

The position will remain open until filled, and we’ll start revising applications from 15 March 2026. For any further information, please contact: cristina.benea. Contract start date:
May 2026 or later. Activity rate min: 100.00. Contract type: CDD. Reference: 2114.