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PhD in non-volatile dual-mode optical memory for unconventional computing

• Personeelstype: Wetenschappelijk personeel

• Vakgebied: Promovendus

• Organisatie: Department of Electrical Engineering

• Solliciteer uiterlijk: 27-07-2026

• Voltijds equivalent: 1.0 FTE

• Salaris: € 3.204 - € 4.051

Job Description

The exponential growth of computing capabilities has transformed nearly every aspect of modern society. Continuous advances in classical computer hardware architecture and semiconductor technology have enabled rapid progress in many fields of engineering and science. In many modern applications, particularly in advanced 3D imaging assisted characterization, sensing, simulation, vast amounts of data are generated and must be processed at extremely high speed in real-time. However, the rate of improvement in conventional computing hardware has begun to stagnate, creating a critical bottleneck with the slow-down in Moore’s scaling, limiting further performance gains. The bottleneck is in both operation speed but also the energy efficiency. Therefore, more efficient and faster compute hardware is needed. This PhD position contributes to such new hardware research.

Photonic computing hardware offers a promising alternative, leveraging the unique advantages of light for computation. Photonic processing could lead to low latency, low power dissipation, and fully utilize the intrinsic parallelism of light through wavelength or polarization multiplexing, enabling energy-efficient, high-speed, and massively parallel operations beyond the constraints of conventional electronics.

This PhD position aims to research new materials and tailor existing material properties in order to be used in a photonic memory concept for photonic computing. It should combine multi-level non-volatile storage with methodologies for both electronic and photonic read/write, resulting in the development of a novel 3D-stacked multilevel memory device, compatible with electronic and photonic chips. For that, you will use integrated photonics technology which is already shaping the future of our digital society. Ultrahigh bandwidth telecommunication, quantum and optical computing, AI datacenters, non-intrusive sensing, LiDAR, and intelligent manufacturing are all fast-evolving application fields utilizing integrated photonics, presenting opportunities for innovation and research.

The PhD position is funded through a grant awarded by Holland High Tech for a jointly proposed research from ºÚÁϸ£ÀûÍø and company Motion Imager. This means you are able to connect research directly with the needs of industry within the project. This position will be in the Photonic Integration group at ºÚÁϸ£ÀûÍø, leveraging years of expertise in integrated photonics technology and an established network in the field. The research group is working within several EU projects on the topic of photonic computing and you will be able to interact closely with other researchers and experts on this topic.

Job Requirements

• A master’s degree (or an equivalent university degree) in physics and engineering.
• Experience with semiconductors materials, photonics, electronics is desired
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team and to collaborate with industrial partners.
• Systematic, analytical and research-oriented attitude to work
• Ability to take charge of your own project.
• Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level).

Conditions of Employment

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. In addition, we offer you: 

• 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 per month).  
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%. 
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At ºÚÁϸ£ÀûÍø we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process. 
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.  
• Unlimited access to the modern on‑campus at an exceptionally affordable rate.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs. 
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the ) for international candidates. 

On our website you can discover even more information about our conditions of employment. Build on your career at ºÚÁϸ£ÀûÍø!

About us

We are a leading international university where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. ºÚÁϸ£ÀûÍø is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community.

Our university is located in Brainport Eindhoven — a world‑leading tech region with more than 7,000 high‑tech companies and strong R&D activity. Known for breakthroughs in AI, photonics, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, Brainport is a place where technology serves people and society. Learn more about the Brainport region .

The mission of the Department of Electrical Engineering is to acquire, share and transfer knowledge and understanding in the whole field of Electrical Engineering through education, research and valorization. We work towards a ‘Smart Sustainable Society’, a ‘Connected World’, and a healthy humanity (‘Care & Cure’). Activities share an application-oriented character, a high degree of complexity and a large synergy between multiple facets of the field.

Research is carried out into the applications of electromagnetic phenomena in all forms of energy conversion, telecommunication and electrical signal processing. Existing and new electrical components and systems are analyzed, designed and built. The Electrical Engineering department takes its inspiration from contacts with high-tech industry in the direct surrounding region and beyond.

The department is innovative and has international ambitions and partnerships. The result is a challenging and inspiring setting in which socially relevant issues are addressed.

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager Weiming Yao, Assistant Professor, w.yao@remove-this.tue.nl.

Visit our website for more information about the application process. You can also contact Kevin Caris, HR-Advisor, k.t.caris@remove-this.tue.nl.

Curious to hear more about what it’s like as a PhD candidate at ºÚÁϸ£ÀûÍø? Please view the .

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at ºÚÁϸ£ÀûÍø? Please visit our career page.

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references. Kindly note that we may reach out to references at any stage of the recruitment process. We recommend notifying your references upon submitting your application.

Ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. Please note that incomplete applications may not be considered and could be rejected.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.

Please note

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. 
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check, please consult the .
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services. 

Referentienummer: 2026/379