Postdoctoral position on integrated mid-IR photonics circuits and lasers 

What you will do

Background 

The Mid-infrared wavelength region is sometimes coined the molecular fingerprint region as many molecules have specific absorption bands in this region. A number of sensors that exploit this property are currently under development. For example an integrated glucose sensor based on the strong mid-infrared absorption of the glucose molecule could ameliorate the life of diabetes patients. Cheap photonic based gas sensors can also be considered with this technology. In the past years the Photonics Research Group has been developing such a platform for the 5-8um wavelength range, obtaining low loss waveguides, passive optical functions and thermo-optic tuning. However, currently the platform lacks the possibility to integrate III-V quantum cascade lasers (through flip-chip integration) and systems should be built based on this platform that address real-life sensing applications.  In the Horizon Europe M3NIR project we will makes use of such miniaturized optoelectronic building blocks, to create a modular, highly adaptable and efficient multi-sensing platform, which will be validated in the domains of healthcare and environmental monitoring.  

Job description 

 You will be working together with industrial and academic partners in the H2020 project M3NIR. The project aims at making use of novel advances in photonics, to provide a set of tools and devices, which allow the reliable and cost-effective applications i.e  monitoring of water quality, gas sensing etc.  
You will design, fabricate and test the required photonic integrated circuits, as well as develop the processes required to enable the flip-chip integration of the quantum cascade lasers (in cooperation with CMST – another imec research group at Ghent University).  Towards the end of the project you will interact with the end-users of the sensing system, in order for them to be able to do sensing experiments in real-life situations. 

What we do for you

We offer you the opportunity to join one of the world’s premier research centers in nanotechnology at its headquarters in Leuven, Belgium. With your talent, passion and expertise, you’ll become part of a team that makes the impossible possible. Together, we shape the technology that will determine the society of tomorrow.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and proud of our open, multicultural, and informal working environment with ample possibilities to take initiative and show responsibility. We commit to supporting and guiding you in this process; not only with words but also with tangible actions. Through imec.academy, 'our corporate university', we actively invest in your development to further your technical and personal growth. 

We are aware that your valuable contribution makes imec a top player in its field. Your energy and commitment are therefore appreciated by means of a market appropriate salary with many fringe benefits. 

Who you are

• You have a PhD in integrated optics, preferably in Silicon Photonics. 
• You have a strong track record in the design, fabrication and test of photonic integrated circuits. Experience with midIR photonic integrated circuits is a plus. 
• You have a broad view on photonic sensing applications, the advantages that photonic integration can bring for these applications and as well as the challenges that need to be overcome. 
• You have a good understanding of packaging technologies, flip-chip integration in particular. 
• You possess strong verbal and written English communication skills allowing you to effectively communicate with industrial and academic partners, also those that are not experts in photonics and photonic integrated circuits. 

For more information, please contact Bart.kuyken@imec.be