This is NTNU

NTNU is a broad-based university with a technical-scientific profile and a focus in professional education. The university is located in three cities with headquarters in Trondheim.

At NTNU, 9,000 employees and 43,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world.

You will find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here.

   

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About the position

We are searching for two creative, skilled, and ambitious candidate for our activities on nonlinear integrated photonics.

The objective of this work is to develop nonlinear integrated photonic circuits based on ferroelectric and III-V thin film waveguides and microresonators. Our goal is to to explore ultra-broadband and efficient continuous and travelling-wave nonlinear integrated photonics based on ferroelectric thin films such Lithium Niobate and Tantalate. These systems are promising to revolutionize optical amplification and frequency comb generation with the goal of developing a new generation of photonic integrated devices. The full integration of quantum light sources with III-V gain elements as a pump laser has garnered increased attention with the demonstration of entangled photon pair sources, yet the field is still in its infancy. At this point, state-of-the-art photonic integrated devices based on PPLN push the boundary of quantum coherent interactions with 100s to 1000s of photons. The generation of bright squeezed vacuum states so far has been limited to either large mode area waveguides without dispersion engineering light sources or pulsed lasers. Broadband sources of entangled photon pairs are desirable for the application of quantum light for a wide range of applications such as optical coherence tomography, flourescense microscopy, and spectroscopy.

The candidate will develop optical design and nanofabrication concepts and methodology to realize the photonic waveguides and circuits. Furthermore, integration of photonic components with high power semiconductor lasers is envisioned to bring the technologies closer to their final application. 

This is one of two related positions. We encourage interested candidates to consider application to both announcements.

This position is part of a joint initiative, and a second, closely related position "PhD Candidate in Hybrid integration of tunable lasers and electro-optical frequency combs" is being advertised simultaneously. We encourage interested candidates to read both announcements.

About the project

The position is granted based on a three year fully funded FRIPRO project “PHOTONS” with start date 1.8.2025. The candidate will report to the Head of Department.

The candidate will report to the Head of Department. The supervisor for this position is Associate Professor Johann Riemensberger. 
 

Duties of the position

• Complete the doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate
• Development of nanofabrication processes in the NTNU Nanolab cleanroom
• Photonic chip design, manufacturing, and optical testing
• Collaborate with an international network of scientific partners
• Report research findings in international conferences and scientific articles
• Take part in the Electronic and Telecommunications PhD program and fulfill the requirements for a PhD degree

Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.

Required selection criteria

• Strong experimental and/or theoretical background in (integrated) photonics, optical physics, or nanotechnology & nanofabrication.
• Competence in numerical simulations of optical and/or electronic nanosystems.
• You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's Doctoral Programme in programme in electronics and telecommunications.
• You must have a Master's degree in in photonics, materials science, physics, electrical engineering, or nanotechnology (and other revelant disciplines) with focus on photonics.Your course of study must correspond to a five-year Norwegian course, where 120 credits have been obtained at master's level. Master's students can apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position.
• You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and have an average grade from your Master's degree study, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared to NTNU's grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you have a weaker grade background, you may be considered if you can document that you are particularly suitable for a PhD education.
• Documented good written and oral English.
   

PLEASE NOTE: For detailed information about what the application must contain, see paragraph “About the application”.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with Regulations for the Universities and Colleges Act (university and colleges regulations) and Regulations for the degrees philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) and philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) in artistic development work at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) for general criteria for the position.

As a result of the new Act relating to universities and university colleges with associated regulations of 01.08.2024, NTNU has, during a transitional period (for decisions on employment in recruitment positions before 1 August 2025), chosen to use the terms of employment in the old regulations of 31 January 2006 no. 102 on terms of employment for positions such as postdoctoral fellow, research fellow, scientific assistant and specialist candidate

Preferred selection criteria

• Experience with standard nanofabrication processes.
• Experience wih electromagnetic simulation softwares (Lumerical, Comsol, CST or similar) and strong programming skills.
• A strong affinity for experimental laboratory work. 
• Ability to work outside of Norway for short exchange periods.
   

Personal characteristics

To complete a doctoral degree (PhD), it is important that you are able to: 

• Willingness to learn new fields and adapt to a multidisciplinary research environment. 
• Problem solver, with ability to use existing knowledge in new ways. 
• Excellent communication skills. 
• Work independently.

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities

We offer

 

• An exciting job with an important mission in society
• Developing tasks in a strong and international professional environment
• Career guidance and follow-up during the PhD period
• Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues
• Working capital that can be used to implement the project
• Mentor programme as a new employee at NTNU
• As a public employee, you have favourable benefits as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK)

You will be employed as a PhD Candidate at NTNU and will have access to employee benefits and discounts. 

Diversity

Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity in society and that makes use of the potential of the population's collective skills. Our vision is Knowledge for a better world and our values ​​are creative, critical, constructive and respectful. We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse and gender-balanced is essential for us to achieve our goals. 

We strive to attract employees with different skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better problem solving of our societal mission in research and education. 

If you think this position is relevant and interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, functional ability and cultural background, or whether you have been out of work for a period of time.

At NTNU we want to increase the proportion of women in scientific positions. We have a number of measures to promote equality. 

Salary and conditions

In the position of PhD Candidate, code 1017, your gross salary will normally be NOK  536 200,-  per annum depending on qualifications and seniority. A 2% statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund is deducted from the salary. 

The employment period is 3 years with a possible extension to 4 years with 25 % career promotion work.

For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme in in electronics and telecommunications within three months of your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organized doctoral programme throughout the period of employment.

The position is conditional on external funding.

As an employee at NTNU, it is important that you keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and adapt to them.

For the necessary academic and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis.

The appointment is carried out in accordance withthe principles of the State Employees Act, and Export control(legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technologyand services). Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to bein conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed.

About the application

The attachments (including a description of your scientific work) must accompany the application as these documents form the basis of the application assessment. The documents must be in English. 

Please note: the application will only be assessed on the basis of the information we have received by the application deadline. Therefore, make sure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above. The application and all attachments must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge.no. If you are invited to an interview, you must bring certified copies of certificates and diplomas upon request.

The application must include: 

• Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's and Master's degrees.
• CV.
• Copy of Master's thesis. If you have recently submitted your Master's thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed Master's degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• Short letter of motivation (400 words/1 page).
• Possibly publications etc. other relevant research work.
• Possibly certificates.
• Names and contact information of three relevant referees.
   

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both Bachelor's and Master's education, in addition to other higher education. If your institution uses “diploma supplement” (normal for most European institutions), you must attach this. A description of the documentation required can also be found here. If you already have a statement from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir), please attach this as well. 

Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint work, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

When assessing the best qualified, we emphasize necessary qualifications such as education, experience and personal suitability. Motivation for the position, ambitions and potential for research will also count when assessing the candidates.

NTNU recognizes a wide range of academic contributions and has committed itself to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment and CoARA (responsible assessment of research and recognition of a greater breadth of academic contributions in accordance with NTNU's social mission).

General information

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you wish to be exempt from entry on the public applicant list, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation. You will be notified if the exemption is not granted.

If you think this position looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, you are welcome to apply.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Johann Riemensberger, email johann.riemensberger@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR e-mail: hr@ies.ntnu.no.

Application deadline:31.05.2025

For practical information about working at NTNU, please visit this webpage. 

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the tech capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.