Postdoc Researcher on Visible and Near-IR Lasers on a Chip 

What you will do

The visible and near-infrared (near-IR) wavelength range (400 nm – 1100 nm) is the region of interest for a large number of biomedical applications, environmental sensing applications and emerging applications such as in the field of quantum sciences. Applications include optical coherence tomography, flow cytometry, environmental sensors to detect water pollution, quantum computers and atomic clocks. These applications will benefit from an integrated active photonic platform at visible and near-IR wavelengths. One of the tasks is that these applications need widely spaced wavelengths, sometimes spanning as much as an octave, in the same system. At the same time these systems tend to be complex. Here, we will leverage the existing silicon nitride platform technology by integrating active building blocks on the platform to enable these non-telecom applications.  
Building further on the first results obtained at Ghent University, a new generation of broadband and narrow linewidth lasers emitting in the visible and near-IR ranges will be developed in this postdoc-project. This include: the design of the SiN/III-V heterogeneous systems, the integration of the GaAs and GaN III-V amplifiers on SiN circuits using transfer printing technology, the testing of the fabricated devices. The project will be carried out in the context of the European project VISSION. 

This means that the research work of the candidate will be included in a huge European project, including state of the art facilities, large amount of economic resources, many interactions with international partners and optimization of the results dissemination. The strong interactions between our other projects will also strongly help to progress faster. 

The position is open for 1-3 years. 

About the Photonics Research Group 

The Photonics Research Group (about 85 people) is associated with IMEC,and is part of the Department of Information Technology of Ghent University. The group is headed by Prof. R. Baets and has been active in photonics device research for many years. The other professors in the group are P. Bienstman, W. Bogaerts, B. Kuyken, N. Le Thomas, G. Morthier, G. Roelkens and D. Van Thourhout. The main research directions are silicon nanophotonics, heterogeneous integration, optical communication, photonic (bio)sensors and photonic integrated circuits for biomedical applications in the near-infrared and mid-infrared wavelength range. More in particular, the silicon nanophotonics work focuses on the design and fabrication of SOI-based photonic devices using standard lithographic techniques compatible with CMOS-processing.  

The Photonics Research Group has been coordinating the network of excellence ePIXnet and is involved in a number of EU-projects, including the FP7 projects ActPhast, PLAT4M, Cando, and Pocket, VISSON, PATTERN, and the H2020 projects TOPHIT, TeraBoard, PIX4Life, MIRPHAB and Phresco. Furthermore, the group is partner of the Center for Nano- and Biophotonics of Ghent University and the group has been awarded four ERC Independent Researcher Starting Grants, one ERC Consolidator Grant and one ERC Advanced Investigator Grant. 

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 degree in Science or in Science of Engineering 
• You have experience in integrated photonics (Si, SiN and/or III-V) 
• You have experience in design and measurement of integrated circuits and/or devices 
• You have experience in clean room fabrication 
• You take initiative and can work on your own, while you keep on consulting and discussing with a team 
• You can plan your work and that of your colleagues according to your deadlines and deliverables 
• You can guide and motivate team members in their work 
• You have an impeccable knowledge of English 
  
  More information: 
  maximilien.billet@ugent.be 
  Bart.kuyken@imec.be 
  http://www.photonics.intec.ugent.be/