PhD Position On-chip Photonic Neural Network

PhD Position – On-Chip Photonic Neural Network

AI computing with light! Come join us to design and fabricate a unique photonic AI chip that can learn and perform tasks at light speed and high energy efficiency.

Photonic neural networks offer a promising route toward overcoming the energy and bandwidth limitations of conventional electronic AI hardware. This PhD project focuses on developing on‑chip photonic neural network architectures that can be trained directly in hardware, eliminating the need for costly off‑chip training and enabling scalable, adaptive systems.

Responsibilities

• Design and model photonic neural network architectures for on‑chip implementation.
• Develop in‑situ training strategies compatible with analog photonic hardware.
• Fabricate and experimentally characterize novel photonic AI chips.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams spanning nanophotonics and AI.
• Disseminate results through scientific publications, conference presentations, and patents.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in physics, applied physics, nanophotonics, computer science, artificial intelligence, mechanical engineering, or related field.
• Experience in nanofabrication.
• Experience with machine learning for scientific applications.
• Experience with programming (e.g. Python, PyTorch, TensorFlow).
• Drive to tackle interdisciplinary challenges and communicate across fields.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills.

Benefits

• 4‑year fully funded PhD position at TU Delft.
• Opportunity to lead a pioneering project at the intersection of nanophotonics and AI.
• Collaboration with international experts from diverse disciplines.
• Access to cutting‑edge computational and experimental facilities.
• Supervision of MSc researchers and mentorship/support for career development.

Conditions of Employment

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4‑year period of employment, structured as two contracts: an initial 1.5‑year contract with a formal progress assessment within 15 months, followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2.5 years upon successful completion of the assessment. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, ranging from €3 059 to €3 881 gross per month, increasing over the four years, plus 8 % holiday allowance and an end‑of‑year bonus of 8.3 %. The position is a full‑time contract (38 hours).

Application Deadline

Please submit your application no later than 28 May 2026.

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