Researcher – Terabit capable coherent optical links and transceivers

What you will do

imec and imec-IDLab are currently defining a roadmap towards novel generations of coherent optical transceivers, focusing in particular on applications that require Terabit/s/wavelength capacities for inter- and even intra-data center applications. These applications have demanding targets in terms of power consumption, cost and integration density. Therefore, novel coherent transceiver concepts will need to be defined, leveraging imec’s extensive capabilities in both photonics (including but not limited to its Silicon Photonic platform) and ultra high-speed electronics (targeting well beyond 100Gbaud rates). imec-IDLab is therefore seeking a postdoctoral researcher who will join an existing team consisting of electronic and photonic integrated circuit designers, photonic device and process specialists and experimentalists, with the following responsibilities:   

• Establishment of a testbed for coherent optical link characterization, using imec-IDLab’s extensive measurement equipment (including real-time oscilloscopes, arbitrary waveform generators and coherent modulators and hybrids), targeting in particular baudrates beyond 100Gbaud. 
• Experimental validation of and characterization of coherent transceiver building blocks.
• In collaboration with the relevant teams at imec, definition and exploration of novel coherent optical transceiver architectures, with a strong focus on “coherent lite” approaches to reduce power, physical footprint and cost of Terabit/s capable devices.

What we do for you

The successful candidate will join an internationally renowned team of high-speed electronic integrated circuit designers, optical integrated circuit designers and optical device specialists . He or she will get the opportunity to realize and shape the Design group’s roadmaps towards next-generation optical transceivers with >100Gbaud symbol rates. The successful candidate will be provided every opportunity to publish the outcomes of their research work at high-impact international conferences and leading journals, in the area of optical fiber conferences.
This position is available for a definite duration of two years initially, and can be extended pending funding applications.

Who you are

• A PhD degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent with a strong background in optical systems, in particular experimental validation of coherent optical links and devices,
• Excellent experimenter, with proven knowledge in the area of optical device and link characterization, and use of relevant high-end equipment such as real-time oscilloscopes, arbitrary waveform generators, etc.
• Proficiency with optical link simulation software and generic simulation software tools such as VPI, Matlab.
• You integrate well into a multi-cultured and diverse team, and are a teamplayer,
• You are allowed to work in Belgium.