Enterprise Fellow, PIXEurope PDK Designer

The CORNERSTONE Photonics Innovation Centre (C-PIC) team at the University of Southampton has a shared vision: to take silicon photonics technologies from research labs to everyday life by enabling ubiquitous silicon photonics solutions. CORNERSTONE provides a silicon photonics fabrication service to researchers and innovators from across the globe, focused around our unique clean rooms capabilities in Southampton, UK (). We are seeking an experienced PDK Engineer with a technical background in graphene and/or silicon photonics for our role in the EU-funded project, PIXEurope.

Develop the Process Design Kit (PDK) and characterise the graphene on Silicon Photonics chips for the PIXEurope project. Attend European project meetings and represent the project at relevant conferences and events. Be part of a PDK team to develop the CORNERS ONE platform. Work with project partners and the internal process fabrication team to develop the technology. Ensure Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is embedded in all outreach, training, and marketing activities.

You will be passionate about supporting cutting‑edge research and development in a growing team of enthusiastic colleagues. You will be self‑motivated, a skilled communicator, flexible, able to work both independently and as part of a large consortium, and to manage your time efficiently. You have good interpersonal skills, and the ability to manage relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including both UK and EU PIXEurope consortium partners.

Experience in European (or equivalent complex large consortia) projects and photonics device design, mask layout and device characterisation is essential. A PhD in silicon photonics or graphene is desirable. A proven track‑record in PDK design with demonstrated experience in establishing a technology service is desirable.

This post is initially funded until 31 May 2030. Depending on the success of the role, there is the possibility of a further extension.

For an informal discussion of the role, please contact Dr Emre Kaplan ().