Research Staff (Doctoral Position) in Computational Electrodynamics and Photonics Inverse Design for Integrated Optics

 

Nestled in a modern city surrounded by nature and with an exceptional standard of living, Leibniz University Hannover offers excellent working conditions in a vibrant scientific community.

The Hannover Center for Optical Technologies (HOT), the Cluster of Excellence PhoenixD, and the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering welcomes applications for the following position to be filled as soon as possible: Research Staff (Doctoral Position) in Computational Electrodynamics and Photonics Inverse Design for Integrated Optics (salary scale 13 TV-L “FwN”, 100 %)

The position is initially limited to 2 years, with the possibility of extension, and provides the opportunity for further academic qualification, such as a doctoral degree.

Your role

The selected candidate will work on the inverse design of integrated optical systems in 3D. This includes integrated waveguides, polarizers, beam couplers, mode converters, multiplexers/demultiplexers, and on-chip metasurfaces, also in presence of optical tunability. You will use and further develop an existing computational electrodynamics software based on the finite-difference time-domain method and implement inverse design techniques in the time and frequency domain. You will employ high-performance computing techniques for large-scale simulations and topology optimization based on the adjoint method for the design of large-scale devices. You will also collaborate with other groups in the Cluster of Excellence PhoenixD.

Who are we looking for?

Applicants to the position must have a relevant scientific university degree (Diploma or Master), for example, in physics, optics and photonics, electrical engineering, computer science, or a related field. The ideal candidate must have a strong background in programming (C or C++), optics/photonics/nanophotonics, and computational electromagnetics. Please, motivate how these requirements are met in the cover letter. You should be willing to work together with experimental collaborators for the realization and validation of your designs.

You enjoy developing solvers and numerical techniques for the solution of complex physics problems, also exploiting supercomputers and GPUs. In addition, excellent communication skills in English, oral as well as written, are expected.

Equal opportunities and diversity are core values at Leibniz University Hannover. Our goal is to tap into individual potential and open up possibilities. We therefore welcome applications from anyone interested in the position, irrespective of gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or ideology, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity.

We strive towards a balanced and diverse workforce and a reduction in under-representation in accordance with the Lower Saxony Equal Rights Act (Niedersächsisches Gleichberechtigungsgesetz – NGG). We therefore particularly encourage applications for the above-mentioned position from women. Preference will be given to equally-qualified candidates with disabilities.

Why join us?

As a member of our international team, you have the opportunity to sharpen your scientific profile in a dynamic and excellent research environment and advance in your professional career. We offer a scientifically and intellectually inspiring atmosphere at a leading technical university with a long tradition of research in optics and photonics.

The Leibniz University Hannover is home to several specialised institutes and organisations in this fast-evolving research field, e.g. the Cluster of Excellence PhoenixD (Photonics, Optics, and Engineering, Innovation Across Disciplines), the HOT - Hannover Centre for Optical Technologies and the newly founded Leibniz School of Optics & Photonics. PhoenixD alone comprises of more than 100 scientists from the fields of physics, mechanical engineering, chemistry, electrical engineering, computer science and mathematics. Concerning teaching, students benefit from the existing Master's degree programme Optical Technologies and a Bachelor's programme in Optics & Photonics.

Leibniz University has a long track record of successful spin-offs in the field of optical technologies. Quite a few specialised companies reside in the Hannover region, and many of them have close ties with the university. An internationally well-known non-profit research institute for photonics and laser technology is the Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V. (LZH).

As a family-friendly university, working hours can be organised according to various flexible models. Part-time employment as well as remote work (mobile work, work from home) can therefore be arranged upon request. We support employees with balancing work and family life, through services such as back-up childcare, childcare during school holidays, and parent-child offices, as well as providing individual advice regarding family responsibilities and caring for dependants.

 

Additional information

For further information, please contact Ms. Carmen Wassermann in the office of Prof. Antonio Calà Lesina.

Please submit your application together with your Curriculum vitae, transcripts (degree certificates and grades), the names of two references and a cover letter focusing on how the "must-have" hiring requirements are met by December 11th, 2024 in electronic form to