PostDoc or ​​Senior Research Engineer – Quantum Photonic Integrated Circuit Design ​(all genders) // Job-ID: 201-1

As part of the European Chips Act, Silicon Austria Labs (SAL) is driving innovation in quantum and semiconductor technologies through its Quantum Pilot Lines. 
Join our interdisciplinary teams at the interface of design and fabrication and enjoy Villach’s exceptional quality of life in the heart of the Austrian Alps. Be part of something bigger.  Be part of Silicon Austria Labs. 

This opportunity is a temporary (PostDoc) position with an expected duration of 3 years, aligned with the timeframe of the pilot line project. Continuation in a permanent role may be considered thereafter, subject to strong performance and  future funding opportunities and future funding opportunities.

The Integrated Photonics Technologies (IPT) research unit focuses on emerging photonic device approaches, including integrated photonics for quantum applications. We are seeking an experienced and motivated researcher to coordinate design and PDK development for aluminum nitride (AlN)-based quantum photonic integrated circuits (PICs) in SAL’s R&D cleanroom. The role bridges research and fabrication, supporting the development of next-generation PIC for quantum communication, sensing, and metrology. 
The successful candidate will be responsible for coordinating design workflow for PDK development of AlN quantum PICs, while supporting the process development and fabrication readiness toward high technology readiness levels (TRL). The candidate will play a key role in design, process integration, device performance optimization, yield improvement, and quality assurance.  
Your future responsibilities will include: 

• Developing and maintaining PDK for AlN-based quantum PIC platforms, including layout, compact models, and design rule documentation
• Validating designs through simulation (e.g. FDTD) and supporting the creation of design libraries
• Interfacing between design, process, and packaging teams to ensure co-design and end-to-end device compatibility
• Implementing design automation and verification workflows using high level languages (e.g. Python)
• Benchmarking and improving design tools and flow efficiency to accelerate the development cycle
• Contributing to design guidelines and best practices based on process constraints and experimental data
• Collaborating with the fabrication team to ensure high fabrication fidelity
• Participating in design reviews and contributing to technical documentation and project deliverables
• Contributing to reporting, documentation, publication, IP generation, and patent application
• Supporting industry and academic collaborations within multidisciplinary projects

• PhD in electrical engineering, applied physics, or a related field, ideally with focus on integrated photonics. (Or MSc with equivalent working experience).
• Proficiency in using multi-physics simulation software e.g. Anys Lumerical, COMSOL
• Minimum 3 years of experience in PIC design, characterization and PDK development, preferably in R&D or pilot line environments
• Solid programming skills in Python or similar (e.g. for layout, data analysis)
• Experience with layout design tools (Python-based layout generation)
• Strong understanding of cleanroom-based micro- and nanofabrication processes for photonics
• Strong organizational and documentation skills for technical reporting and IP generation
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams, including fabrication, packaging, and testing
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• Autonomous, pa