PhD in Spatiotemporal Integrated Metamaterials

PhD in Spatiotemporal Integrated Metamaterials

We are an internationally top-ranking university in the Netherlands that combines scientific curiosity with a hands-on attitude.

Are you fascinated by nonreciprocal photonics? Design dynamically modulated, on-chip metamaterials for nonreciprocal light control, with secondments at INESC MN and PICadvanced, Portugal.

We are looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate with a background in photonics, optics, or nanofabrication to contribute to SPARK Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral network. The candidate will develop chip-scale metamaterials with time‑varying modulation for nonreciprocal photonic devices. The project involves theoretical and numerical design of dynamically modulated structures, on-chip fabrication using advanced nanolithography, and experimental demonstration of nonreciprocal light transport, with the aim of realizing dynamically modulated metamaterials for nonreciprocal light control and integrating them into photonic circuits for optical communication and quantum applications.

The PhD candidate will work within the Photonic Integration group at the Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, co‑supervised by Prof. M. Piccardo at INESC MN, Portugal. The candidate will be part of a multidisciplinary, international team within the SPARK MSCA Doctoral network, working alongside PhD students and researchers on related nonreciprocal and photonic integration technologies, with close collaboration across design, fabrication, and characterization.

The research and secondment activities will be supported by a 6-month stay at INESC MN, Portugal, focused on component measurements, and a 3-month stay at PICadvanced for chip-level integration, giving the candidate direct access to complementary expertise and facilities across the consortium.

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Optics, Applied Physics, Materials Engineering, or a related field.
• A research-oriented attitude.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team and interested in collaborating with industrial partners.
• Motivated to develop your teaching skills and coach students.
• Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level).

At the date of recruitment:

You must not already hold a doctoral degree. You must comply with the MSCA mobility rule: you must not have resided or carried out your main activity, such as work or studies, in the Netherlands for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately preceding the recruitment date. Exceptions defined under the MSCA rules apply.

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station.

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 3,204 - max. € 4,051 gross base salary per month (full-time)).
• In addition to your base salary, you will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus, both calculated based on your annual gross base salary.
• Generous leave options: a standard 29 days (based on a 38 hour working week) per year that you can increase to 41 days by working two hours more per week (flexible working hours). This is prorated if you work part-time.
• As a TU/e employee, you…