Optoelectronic Group: Project Researcher Engineer position in visible-wavelength PIC design and characterization

ICFO is offering up to two Project Researcher Engineer positions to a well-qualified, highly motivated and dynamic young scientists who wish to enhance their scientific career in a friendly and stimulating environment.

The successful candidate will join the international project “Photonics for Quantum (P4Q)”. P4Q will establish a distributed, pan-European infrastructure for manufacturing high-performance photonic integrated circuits (PICs) tailored to quantum applications. Quantum technologies, including neutral atom quantum computing and simulation, rely heavily on photonics for encoding, processing, and detecting quantum information. P4Q will address the stringent requirements of these technologies, such as low-loss, high-speed visible-wavelength operation, by stabilizing cutting-edge manufacturing processes and advancing both technology and manufacturing readiness levels. These PIC-based solutions are expected to support the transition from complex optical laboratory setups towards more scalable and deployable quantum technology architectures.

In the Optoelectronics research group at ICFO, led by Prof. Dr. Valerio Pruneri, we are seeking an experienced researchers or engineers specializing in PIC design, simulation, testing/characterization, with strong hands-on experience. A broad background in physics and photonics, including a general understanding of neutral atom experimental architectures, is also desired. The selected candidates will be deeply involved in the development and execution of advanced PIC design, simulation and testing/characterization methodologies within the P4Q project, contributing to both technological development and application-oriented demonstrators.

The position includes both theoretical/design-oriented, and experimental, lab-oriented work, ideal for candidates with a solid technical background and strong motivation to work with integrated photonics in a dynamic R&D and pre-industrial environment.

Key responsibilities:

Design and simulate novel PICs in the visible wavelength range. Examples include enabling efficient coupling between AlN and AlOx platforms, and accounting for RF–optical field interactions required for high-bandwidth operation.

Collaborate closely with PIC manufacturer project partners, as well as the relevant teams within the Optoelectronics research group.

Develop characterization testbeds as well as optical/electrical testing procedures for visible-wavelength PICs.

Use the testbeds and testing procedures to analyse and validate PIC performance, operating test instrumentation including lasers, OSAs, VNAs, photodiodes, RF sources, power meters, and probe stations.

Contribute to preparing structured testing reports, and support debugging activities across the development cycle.

Collaborate with end users to facilitate qualification in application-oriented demonstrators.

Funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe (P4Q, 101291189), Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips JU) and the Spanish Ministry for Digital Transformation and Civil Service under reference CJU-010200-2026-5, as part of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan (PRTR). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Chips Joint Undertaking. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

Applicants must hold an internationally recognized engineering or science degree (MSc, or PhD) in Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.

We are looking for candidates with demonstrated experience in one or more of the following areas:

Familiarity with photonic devices including PICs.

Familiarity with application-driven PIC development, including the translation of end-user requirements into PIC concepts, test needs, and development workflows.

Operation of optical and electrical test and measurement equipment.

Data acquisition and automation using Python, MATLAB, or LabVIEW.

Knowledge of free-space optical setups and neutral atom experimental architectures

The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, hands-on, proactive, and comfortable working in multidisciplinary teams bridging research and industrial deployment.

What We Offer

Fixed-term contract linked to NextGeneration funds (406)

Access to ICFO’s photonics laboratories and technical environment, with support from experienced personnel in PIC design, simulation, optical characterization, and project management.

Opportunity to develop dedicated visible-wavelength PIC testing and characterization setups within ICFO.

Opportunity to work at the interface between PIC development, manufacturing partners, advanced R&D, and quantum technology applications.

A family allowance may be granted to candidates with dependents, upon request and in accordance with ICFO’s policies.

Suitable candidates are requested to submit:

Presentation letter with a declaration of interest,

Curriculum Vitae, including contact details,

The contact e-mail of two potential referees.

The selection process will follow open, transparent, and merit-based recruitment (OTM-R) principles. It will consist of:

1. Eligibility check of applications.

2. Assessment of merits (education, experience, and language)

3. Interview with shortlisted candidates, if needed

Candidates may contact jobs@icfo.eu for formal enquiries regarding the application, as well as address scientific enquiries to valerio.pruneri@icfo.eu.

For update information about the hosting group, please visit https://www.icfo.eu/research-group/15/optoelectronics/home.

For updated information about ICFO, please visit https://www.icfo.eu.

Data Protection

In accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) and Organic Law 3/2018, ICFO informs applicants that their personal data will be processed exclusively for recruitment purposes.

Controller: Fundació ICFO – Institut de Ciències Fotòniques, Av. Carl Friedrich Gauss 3, 08860 Castelldefels (Barcelona).

DPO: dpo@icfo.eu

Legal basis: performance of a task in the public interest.

Rights: access, rectification, erasure, restriction, and opposition.

Supervisory authority: Catalan Data Protection Authority (APDCAT) https://apdcat.gencat.cat.

All recruitment files will be retained in accordance with the Catalan public-sector archival retention schedule (DOGC 2117).

Reference: 1129

28th of July, 2026