PhD student position in Optoelectronics - Adaptive optical interconnects

Chalmers University of Technology is launching the project Optical Interconnects for Harsh Computing Environments, a 5-year project funded by the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research and has a number of positions open for recruitment of PhD students and postdocs to the project. This position is a great opportunity for you as PhD student to develop your scientific and technical skills by working in a large team of leading researchers and other PhD students and postdocs in an area of great importance for industry and society.

Information about the division and the research
The Photonics Laboratory at the Department of Microtechnology and Nanoscience, with about 35 members, is involved with research on optical communication systems, optical amplifiers, and nonlinear optics. We have a state-of-the experimental facility for optical communications. Our research is both experimental and theoretical and we have extensive international collaboration. We also have access to a state-of-the-art clean room for in-house fabrication of optical devices as well as experience in commercializing our research.

In the area of communication, we conduct research to achieve higher spectral efficiency in optical communication thereby increasing capacity. Ultra-low noise optical amplifiers are investigated as they allow a significant increase of throughput in long-haul transmission for example in space. The more device-oriented research deals with requirements and performance of optical interconnects (OI) in terms of speed and energy efficiency. The work is coordinated in the Fibre Optical Communications Research Centre (FORCE), see www.chalmers.se/force.

While todays optical interconnects operate under rather controlled environmental conditions, use cases where the environment is more demanding in terms of peak-temperature and temperature variations are now appearing. These include data centers, automotive networks, and radar systems. With resources enabled by the new project we are now expanding our team with a PhD student to work on optical interconnects in demanding conditions. The focus will be on the experimental analysis of the performance of the OI laser transmitters (fabricated in-house specifically for this project) across a very wide range of temperature in a realistic system environment.

Major responsibilities
We seek a PhD student to work in a team of senior researchers, post-docs and other PhD students with complementary skills and tasks. The PhD student will actively participate in the research and development of high-speed optical interconnects. The work is mainly experimental with a focus on system evaluations within a temperature range -40 C to +125 C. This includes for example bit-error-rate measurements with different modulation formats, equalization- and error correction techniques as well as optimization based on machine learning. Your major responsibility as PhD student is to pursue your own doctoral studies. You are expected to develop your own scientific concepts and communicate the results of your research verbally and in writing. The position also includes departmental work, mostly as a teaching assistant, corresponding to about 10% of working hours.

Position summary
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of five years.

Qualifications
By the starting date, you should have a Master of Science degree in Engineering Physics, Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent. Solid knowledge in the areas of optical communication and optoelectronics is required. Experience from experimental work on optical communication systems is a merit. A very good command of English is required.

Chalmers continuously strives to be an attractive employer. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Our offer to you
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the dynamic city of Gothenburg. 
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20200562 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as pdf-files, as below:

CV: (Please name the document: CV, Family name, Ref. number)
• CV
• Other, for example previous employments or leadership qualifications and positions of trust.
• 2-3 reference persons (name, title, email, and relation to you)

Personal letter: (Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name, Ref. number)
1-3 pages where you:
• Introduce yourself
• Describe your previous experience of relevance for the position (e.g. education, thesis work and, if applicable, any other research activities)
• Describe your future goals and future research focus

Other documents:
• Copies of bachelor and/or master’s thesis.
• Attested copies and transcripts of completed education, grades and other certificates, e.g. TOEFL test results.

Please use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form. The files may be compressed (zipped).

Application deadline: 31 January, 2021

For questions, please contact:
Professor Peter Andrekson, Department of Microtechnology and Nanoscience
E-mail: peter.andrekson@chalmers.se
Phone: +46 70 3088606

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. *** 
   



Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, technology-related mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society. The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our six Areas of Advance; Energy, Health Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Materials Science, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!