Postdoctoral researcher in on-chip solid-state lasers for quantum systems
Photonic Research Group (PRGG)
The Photonic Research Group (PRGG) at UGent is a leading research team in photonic integrated circuits and an imec-associated lab. Within several collaborative projects between UGent and imec, novel on-chip laser systems are being developed to enable scalable quantum technologies. These advanced laser systems combine the micro-transfer printing platform developed within PRGG with state-of-the-art deposition processes at imec.
What you will do
- Develop processing techniques for novel gain waveguides.
- Perform detailed characterization of these waveguides.
- Contribute to the integration of these components into functional on-chip laser systems.
What we do for you
We offer you the opportunity to join one of the world’s premier research centers in nanotechnology. With your talent, passion and expertise, you’ll become part of a team that makes the impossible possible. Together, we shape the technology that will determine the society of tomorrow.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer and proud of our open, multicultural, and informal working environment with ample possibilities to take initiative and show responsibility. We commit to supporting and guiding you in this process; not only with words but also with tangible actions. Through imec.academy, 'our corporate university', we actively invest in your development to further your technical and personal growth.
We are aware that your valuable contribution makes imec a top player in its field. Your energy and commitment are therefore appreciated by means of a market appropriate salary with many fringe benefits.
Who you are
- You have a PhD in Photonics, Applied Physics or equivalent.
- You have hands-on experience in photonic integrated circuit nanofabrication.
- You have previous experience in photonic circuit design.
- You are fluent in English.
IMEC and its affiliates will not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. IMEC will consider unsolicited referrals and/or resumes submitted by vendors such as search firms, staffing agencies, professional recruiters, fee-based referral services and recruiting agencies (hereafter “Agency”) to have been referred by the Agency free of charge. IMEC will not pay a fee to any Agency that does not have a prior written agreement with IMEC, validated by its HR department, in place regarding a specific job opening and allowing to submit resumes.
TECHNICAL & MARKET ANALYSIS | Appended by Quantum.Jobs
The acceleration of scalable quantum computing architectures is increasingly dependent on the transition from discrete, laboratory-scale optical components to monolithic photonic integrated circuits. Postdoctoral researchers specializing in on-chip solid-state lasers occupy a critical juncture in the quantum hardware value chain, addressing the fundamental challenge of integrating stable, high-performance light sources directly onto semiconductor platforms. This role type is structurally necessary to overcome the physical footprint and stability limitations of classical bulky laser systems, which currently hinder the commercialization of trapped-ion and cold-atom quantum processors. Market signals from the Quantum Economic Development Consortium and national semiconductor strategies indicate that miniaturization and wafer-scale integration are the primary levers for moving quantum systems from specialized research facilities into standardized data center environments. By bridging advanced material science with nanofabrication, this function enables the high-density interconnects and precise qubit control required for future fault-tolerant systems.
The integrated photonics landscape is undergoing a decisive shift from passive light manipulation to the active generation of coherent signals within the chip environment. While silicon photonics has matured for telecommunications, the specific spectral and coherence requirements of quantum information science necessitate a move toward heterogeneous integration of III-V materials and other solid-state gain mediums. This evolution is central to the hardware layer of the quantum ecosystem, where the current bottleneck is not merely qubit count, but the scalability of the control and readout infrastructure. As public funding cycles increasingly prioritize Technology Readiness Level (TRL) progression, the demand for researchers capable of orchestrating these complex integration pathways has surged.
Sector-wide efforts continue to address talent and integration challenges in quantum systems, particularly regarding the mismatch between laboratory-scale proof-of-concepts and foundry-compatible manufacturing processes. The emergence of specialized foundries and pure-play photonic chip manufacturers highlights a structural shift toward a fragmented but interdependent supply chain. In this context, the role of academic-industrial bridge research is to ensure that novel gain waveguides and laser architectures are architecturally compatible with existing CMOS-compatible platforms. This reduces the systemic risk of technology silos and facilitates the development of interoperable photonic building blocks for global quantum networks.
Furthermore, the transition to green photonics and energy-efficient computing systems places a premium on on-chip laser systems that can minimize thermal load and power consumption. The ability to integrate these components at scale is a prerequisite for the deployment of portable quantum sensors and distributed quantum computing clusters. Consequently, the research focus is pivoting toward micro-transfer printing and advanced deposition techniques that allow for the high-volume manufacturing of diverse photonic materials on a single platform, effectively creating the optical analog to the electronic integrated circuit.
The capability architecture for this role type centers on the synchronization of advanced photonic circuit design with state-of-the-art nanofabrication protocols. Mastery of gain waveguide processing and heterogenous material integration is essential for ensuring that on-chip light sources meet the stringent linewidth and power stability criteria required for high-fidelity quantum operations. These capabilities matter for ecosystem throughput because they enable the parallelization of qubit control across large-scale arrays, moving beyond the limitations of fiber-coupled external sources.
Structural enablement occurs at the interface of material science and systems engineering, where the characterization of integrated components provides the feedback loops necessary for iterative design optimization. This expertise is fundamental to the stability of the photonic value chain, as it provides the technical evidence required for capital-intensive shifts in manufacturing strategy. By establishing robust verification frameworks for on-chip lasers, this function secures the foundation for long-term hardware reliability and the eventual standardization of quantum photonic hardware interfaces. - Accelerates the deterministic transition from discrete optical benches to scalable on-chip quantum control architectures
- Mitigates systemic integration risks by validating the performance of heterogeneously integrated solid-state light sources
- Facilitates the miniaturization of quantum processors for deployment in diverse industrial and mobile environments
- Strengthens the reliability of photonic integrated circuits through the implementation of rigorous characterization protocols
- Reduces iteration friction between fundamental material research and the deployment of foundry-compatible hardware
- Optimizes the thermal and power efficiency of next-generation quantum computing and networking systems
- Enhances the stability of the hardware supply chain by developing standardized photonic building blocks
- Supports the scaling of trapped-ion and cold-atom systems through high-density optical interconnect development
- Improves the transparency of technology readiness level progression for stakeholders in the semiconductor sector
- Enables the structural reproducibility of photonic experiments through the standardization of nanofabrication workflows
- Protects high-capital research investments by ensuring alignment between gain waveguide design and industrial scalability
- Orchestrates the convergence of academic photonics research with the practical demands of the quantum chip industryIndustry Tags: Integrated Photonics, Quantum Hardware, Silicon Photonics, Nanofabrication, III-V Integration, Solid-State Lasers, Quantum Networking, Semiconductor Manufacturing, TRL Progression, Heterogeneous Integration
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