As part of the PICs@ICFO Strategic Initiative, ICFO coordinates PIXEurope, a flagship Pilot Line funded under the European Chips JU program focused on Advanced Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) through which ICFO is advancing frontier technologies, including optical interposers for Co-packaged optics for next-generation optoelectronic and photonic devices.

Position Overview:

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher with a strong background in integrated photonics to join our team, under the PIXEurope Pilot Line. The successful candidate will contribute to the development of advanced photonic integrated circuits (PICs) for optical switching and processing applications.

Key Responsibilities:

The selected candidate will be expected to:

• Design, simulate, and optimize integrated photonic circuits for optical processing, routing, switching, and modulation functionalities.
  
• Develop and experimentally validate photonic architectures based on phase control, amplitude modulation, optical switching, and quantum light shaping.
  
• Design and characterize electro-optic and thermo-optic control schemes for programmable photonic integrated circuits.
  
• Perform experimental testing and characterization of integrated photonic devices and systems, including automated measurement and control setups.
  
• Contribute to the development of novel photonic solutions for applications in quantum technologies, optical communications, and information processing.
  
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and support the dissemination of research results through scientific publications, reports, and presentations.
  
Help coordinate demonstrator activities, particularly focusing on those related to optical switching and processing.

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This position will report to the Prof. Dr. Valerio Pruneri, Director of the European Chips JU Pilot Line PIXEurope.

This contract has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe under the Grant Agreement # 101213727, Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips JU) and the Spanish Ministry for Digital Transformation and Civil Service, and is supported by funds from the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan (PRTR).

Applicants must hold a PhD in Photonics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field.

Required Qualifications:

• Strong expertise in integrated photonics, including the design, simulation, fabrication flow understanding, and experimental characterization of photonic integrated circuits.
  
• Demonstrated experience in electro-optical operation and control of PICs.
  
• Solid knowledge of optical modulation, switching, routing, and programmable photonic architectures based on phase shifting and amplitude control.
  
• Experience with nonlinear optics and its application in integrated photonic platforms.
  
• Hands-on experience in the generation, manipulation, and processing of quantum states of light in integrated photonic systems.
  
• Experience with photonic circuit design tools and electromagnetic simulation software.
  
• Proven track record in experimental photonics, including optical setup development, device testing, and data analysis.
  
Ability to work independently while coordinating activities across collaborative research projects.

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Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with reconfigurable photonic processors, either classical, quantum or both.
  
• Knowledge of integrated optical switching fabrics, programmable photonic architectures, or optical computing approaches.
  
• Experience with quantum light sources based on nonlinear integrated photonic platforms.
  
• Familiarity with control electronics and software for photonic system automation.
  
Strong publication record in integrated photonics, quantum photonics, or optical communications.

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The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise in integrated photonics with the ability to carry out independent research activities in a collaborative environment. They should possess extensive experience in photonic circuit design and testing, particularly in modulation, switching, routing, and quantum photonic operations, and be motivated to develop innovative photonic processing solutions for next-generation quantum and communication technologies.

What We Offer

• ASE (Accés al Sistema Espanyol de Ciència i Innovació) contract pursuant to Spanish Law 14/2011
  
• Access to cutting-edge facilities and a vibrant, interdisciplinary research environment.
  
• Opportunity to lead impactful projects that connect fundamental research with commercial applications.
  
A family allowance may be granted to candidates with dependents, upon request and in accordance with ICFO’s policies.

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ICFO is an equal opportunity employer. We hire based solely on merit and potential, regardless of gender, nationality, or disability. ICFO fully endorses the European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, ensuring a transparent and supportive recruitment process.

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.

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

• Eligibility check of applications.
  
• Assessment of merits (education, experience, and language)
  
Interview with shortlisted candidates

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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: 1115

3rd of July, 2026