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.

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.

You will be responsible for developing the Process Design Kit (PDK) and characterisation of the graphene on Silicon Photonics chips for the PIXEurope project. You will attend European project meetings and represent the project at relevant conferences and events. You will be part of an a PDK team to develop the CORNERSONE platform. You will work with the project partners and internal process fabrication team to develop the technology.

You will ensure Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is embedded in all outreach, training, and marketing activities.

We have a culture centred on the team and are supportive of one another. You will be able to learn from some of the best researchers in the field and gain valuable, transferable skills in technical project management, as well as photonics device design and characterisation. You will have the opportunity to thrive in a university environment, supporting the development of future technologies.

You will be encouraged to develop your career and play a fundamental role in the success of our cutting-edge technology, within a university culture focused on people, collegiality, quality, internationalisation, and sustainability. You will have the opportunity to discuss flexible and hybrid working patterns.

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 31st May 2030. Depending on the success the role has, there is the possibility of a further extension.

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

As a university we aim to create an environment where everyone can thrive and are proactive in fostering a culture of inclusion, respect and equality of opportunity. We believe that we can only truly meet our objectives if we are reflective of society, so we are passionate about creating a working environment in which you are free to bring your whole self to work.

With a generous holiday allowance as well as additional university closure days we are committed to supporting our staff and students and open to a flexible working approach.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

Company:
University of Southampton

Salary: £36,636 - £44,746

Hours:

Full-time

Location:

Southampton, SO17 1BJ

Working pattern:
On-site

Job type:
Contract

Posting date: 29 Jul 2026

Closing date: 26 Aug 2026

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…