Research Associate / PhD Position (m/f/d) in Advanced Analysis Methods for Photonic Devices and Integrated Sensors

Tätigkeitsprofil:

Shape the next generation of photonic analysis methods
We are offering a PhD position at the interface of advanced analytical diagnostics, integrated photonics and sensor development within the Diagnostics, Sensors & Emerging Modules (DSE) group.
This position is built around a highly relevant research question:
How can performance bottlenecks, variability effects, and failure-related phenomena in photonic devices and integrated sensor structures be localized, understood, and translated into better designs and better testability?

You will work across two complementary research directions within DSE:

• development of photonic sensor concepts and low-loss silicon nitride (SiN) platforms
• development of advanced analytical and fault-localization methods

A key strength of the role is the close connection between photonic device design, experimental analysis, method
development, and ongoing research projects in photonic sensing.

Your research focus
Your PhD will focus on the development of advanced analytical methods for the localization and investigation of performance bottlenecks and failures in photonic devices and integrated sensors.
A particular methodological emphasis lies on laser and optical-based analysis techniques. Starting from methods such as PLS, LVP, LVI, and PEM, you will assess, adapt, and further develop these approaches for photonic applications.
To support this work, you will also design and evaluate dedicated photonic test structures and selected photonic building blocks, for example SiN-based couplers. This creates a direct link between photonic design, experimental
validation, and analytical method development.
The position also directly supports ongoing R&D projects in photonic sensing by contributing targeted design capabilities for photonic devices and test structures. In this way, your work will help identify critical bottlenecks in
performance, testability, variability, and failure behavior, and feed these insights back into device and technology development.

Research environment
The work is embedded in the DSE group at IHP and carried out in close scientific cooperation with partners at Technische Universität Berlin, in particular with the groups Sensors and Actuators and Security in
Telecommunications.
This gives you access to a highly attractive research environment with complementary expertise in:

• photonic sensing
• laser-based and application-oriented analysis
• experimental characterization
• sensor-related demonstrators and advanced test concepts

Your responsibilities

• Develop advanced analytical methods for the localization and investigation of performance bottlenecks and failures in photonic devices and integrated sensor structures
• Adapt and validate laser-based analytical methods for photonic applications, including approaches such as PLS, TLD, LVP, LVI, and PEM
• Design and evaluate dedicated photonic test structures and selected photonic building blocks, for example SiN-based couplers
• Plan, execute, and analyze experiments on photonic components and sensor-related demonstrators
• Investigate performance bottlenecks, testability limitations, technological variability, and failure modes in photonic structures
• Support ongoing research and development projects in photonic sensing through targeted photonic device and test-structure design
• Work in close scientific exchange with cooperation partners at Technische Universität Berlin
• Publish and present your results at conferences and in peer-reviewed journals
• Prepare and complete a PhD thesis in the corresponding research field
  

Anforderungsprofil:

Your profile:

• Master’s degree or diploma in photonics, electrical engineering, physics, or a related discipline
• Very good knowledge of photonic devices or integrated photonics
• Solid understanding of photonic platforms, ideally including SiN-based structures
• Strong interest in analytical methods, experimental characterization, and failure-related investigations
• Experience in photonic simulation, design, or experimental investigation of photonic devices or test structures is an advantage
• Knowledge of laser-based measurement or analysis methods is beneficial
• Background in sensors, semiconductor technology, microfabrication, or related areas is a plus
• Independent, structured, and scientific way of working in an interdisciplinary environment
• Very good English skills, written and spoken

You are also a strong team player. We are looking for a colleague who combines scientific curiosity with analytical thinking, a structured working style, and the ability to collaborate across disciplinary boundaries. You should enjoy
working with advanced technical equipment and be motivated to connect method development with practical device and technology questions.