1. Vacancies
  2. PhD position in Mechanical Alignment Strategies for Photonic Integrated Circuits

PhD position in Mechanical Alignment Strategies for Photonic Integrated Circuits

Are you driven by a scientific curiosity to discover and solve problems?

Apply now
  • Hi! Are you my
    new colleague?
    Floriana Anselmucci
  • Hi! Are you my
    new colleague?
    Sarthak Misra
  • Hi! Are you my
    new colleague?
    Mark Vlutters
  • Hi! Are you my
    new colleague?
    Christopher Balfe
  • Hi! Are you my
    new colleague?
    Mina Shahi
  • Hi! Are you my
    new colleague?
    Peter Chemweno
  • Hi! Are you my
    new colleague?
    Tjerkje Dijkstra
  • Hi! Are you my
    new colleague?
    Anouk Bomers
  • Hi! Are you my
    new colleague?
    Suzanne Hulscher

Key takeaways

  • Hours
    38 - 40 hr.
  • Salary indication
    Salary gross/monthly
    based on full-time
    € 2,770 - € 3,539
  • Deadline
    19 May 2024

A PhD position is available at the chair of Precision Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering Technology of the University of Twente.

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD student to join our team in developing mechanical alignment structures for photonic integrated circuits. Your work will contribute towards efficient chip-to-chip coupling, chip-to-wafer coupling and experimental testing strategies.

You will become part of a team working on the development of various technologies for the alignment and coupling of integrated photonics. In particular, this PhD position is about efficient passive alignment of photonics chips. Your tasks in the project will range from the design of micro-mechanical kinematic couplings, on-chip mechanical features and flexure mechanisms for load application, to the characterization, tuning and experiment measurements of demonstrators. Your responsibilities involve opto-mechanical design of proof-of-principle demonstrators, simulations using advanced finite element and multibody software, and measurements in state-of-the-art laboratories.

This project leverages our expertise in the development of high-accuracy opto-mechatronics and flexure mechanism design. You will work with a consortium of industrial partners and other PhD students in the framework of the National Growth Fund NXTGEN HIGHTECH program. People involved in the project include scientific staff from both the Faculty of Engineering Technology and the Faculty of Science & Technology.

Your profile

  • An enthusiastic and highly motivated research attitude.
  • A master’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related in mechatronic design.
  • You have a creative mindset and excellent analytical and communication skills.
  • You have a good team spirit and like to work in an interdisciplinary and internationally oriented environment.
  • You have good English writing and presentation skills.

Our offer

  • We offer a four-year fulltime PhD position.
  • We provide a stimulating, modern research environment with world-class research facilities. And we provide excellent mentorship and a stimulating research environment to accelerate your further professional and personal growth.
  • A starting salary of  € [GR1] 2.770,- gross per month in the first year and increasing to € [GR2] 3.539,- gross per month in the fourth year.
  • An annual holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, and an annual year-end bonus 8,3 %.
  • A solid pension scheme.
  • Minimum of 40 leave days in case of full-time employment.
  • The University of Twente is situated on a green and lively campus with lots of facilities for sports and other activities.
  • You will have a training programme as part of the Twente Graduate School where you and your supervisors will determine a plan for a suitable education and supervision;

Information and application

If you’re interested in this position, please send your application before 19 May 2024 through the link “Apply now”.

Your application should include:

For questions about the vacancy and for more information, contact dr. M. Nijenhuis (m.nijenhuis@utwente.nl)

Short-listed candidates will be invited for an (online) interview, which will  take place  mid-June 2024.

Share this vacancy

About the organisation

The Faculty of Engineering Technology (ET) engages in education and research of Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Industrial Design Engineering. We enable society and industry to innovate and create value using efficient, solid and sustainable technology. We are part of a ‘people-first' university of technology, taking our place as an internationally leading center for smart production, processes and devices in five domains: Health Technology, Maintenance, Smart Regions, Smart Industry and Sustainable Resources. Our faculty is home to about 2,900 Bachelor's and Master's students, 550 employees and 150 PhD candidates. Our educational and research programmes are closely connected with UT research institutes Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Center and Digital Society Institute.

Want to know more

Nijenhuis, M. (Marijn)

Nijenhuis, M. (Marijn)
Assistant Professor

Nijenhuis, M. (Marijn)
Assistant Professor

Do you have questions about this vacancy? Then you can contact Marijn for all substantive questions about this position and the application procedure. For general questions about working for the UT, please refer to the chatbot.

How to apply

Step 1

Apply.
When you see a vacancy that appeals to you, you can apply online. We ask you to upload a CV and motivation letter and/or list of publications. You will receive a confirmation of receipt by e-mail.

Apply now

Step 2

Selection.
The selection committee will review your application and you will receive a response within 2 weeks after the vacancy has been closed.

Step 3

1st interview.
The 1st (online or in person) meeting serves as an introduction where we introduce ourselves to you and you to us. You may be asked to give a short presentation. This will be further explained in the invitation.

Step 4

2nd interview.
In the second interview, we will further discuss the job content, your skills and your talents.

Step 5

The offer.
If the conversations are positive, you will be made a suitable offer. If applicable, we will sign you up for screening.

Your Colleagues

About The Faculty ET

Curious about what the Faculty of Engineering Technology (ET) stands for? Check out the ET website for more information.

A job that matters

Create new opportunities for yourself, your colleagues and our society. Scientist or teacher, administrator or facilitator, thinker or doer, energetic leader or silent support – your work at the University of Twente matters. And you too!

  • Our mission
    Human Touch

    At the UT it’s all about people, in line with our university’s High Tech Human Touch philosophy. In everything we do, the well-being and future of our students and staff are paramount. From research and teaching to personnel management, campus management and the use of new technologies.

  • Our mission
    We are a university of technology

    Our university is a public institution that serves society. We are accountable to society for the ways in which we use our academic freedom. We are responsible for ensuring that the power of science and technology is harnessed to achieve the best possible impact in a changing world. We cherish our rich tradition of combining technical and social sciences in our five profiling themes: Improving healthcare by personalized technologies; Creating intelligent manufacturing systems; Shaping our world with smart materials; Engineering our digital society; and Engineering for a resilient world.

  • Our mission
    We help to strengthen society

    We help society meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. But we are also transparent about what science and technology can and cannot do in finding sustainable solutions. And help translate these solutions into everyday life.

  • Our mission
    We are sustainable

    We want our communities to flourish and show resilience, so we seize opportunities for innovation. We are knowledgeable and have an eye for what society needs. Our students and staff receive all the guidance they need in their quest for ecological, social and economic sustainability.
    “The University of Twente is all about people. Our sustainable technologies help to strengthen society.”

Browse all jobs