Job Reference: Ref.04.25.447

Employer: International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL)

Location: Braga, Portugal

Group/Unit: Sotomayor Research Group

Number of Vacancies: 1

Employment Type: Full time

Contract Duration: 18 months 

Open Date for Applications: January 30th, 2025 

Closing Date for Applications: February 19th, 2025, 23h00m (Lisbon Time) 

Key words: #optomechanics #NEMS #photonic #phononic #integratedcircuits

Overview

The Sotomayor Research Group carries out research in nanophononics, including nano-scale thermal transport, phononic crystals, opto-mechanics, thermoelectricity, acoustic-metamaterials, topological bosonics and NOEMS. The group, led by Professor Sotomayor Torres, has moved from ICN2 in Spain, to INL in Portugal in September 2023 and has set up brand new laboratories with state-of-the-art equipment for nanophononics research. The group is currently partner in the projects MUSICIAN (CHIST-ERA), LEIT (ERC), MAGNIFIC and NEUROPIC (EU EIC pathfinder).

We are currently seeking a postdoctoral researcher to join the team of the European Union Horizon-EIC Pathfinder project ”Nano electro-optomechanical programmable integrated circuits: NEUROPIC”, which aims at a novel programmable photonic chip architecture with potential transformative impact in photonics for data centres, autonomous vehicles, quantum information processors, among others.

Job Duties

The job duties will be the following:

• Characterise nanoelectromechanical device-like structures prior to integration into large scale programmable photonic networks;
• Utilise the state-of-the-art experimental resources of our group, including near-field fibre probing optomechanics setup, Brillouin light scattering, Raman scattering, asynchronous Optical Sampling pump/probe setup and laser Doppler vibrometry;
• Characterise and preliminar COMSOL simulations of the spectral properties of the nonlinear synaptic response of the NEUROPIC electro-optomechanical elements;
• Contribute to the group’s dynamics taking part in common research and methodology development initiatives;
• Report writing, participation in project meetings, documentation and dissemination of results in scientific journals;
• Plan research, develop experimental methods, carry out planned and new experiments, analyse data, and publish results;

• Share responsibility for equipment maintenance and upgrades, as well as playing a full role in maintaining IT services and security regulations.

  
  

Mandatory Qualifications

Education

• PhD in Solid State Physics, Photonics or a related field. 

Experience

• Research experience at post-graduate level in experimental semiconductor research based on cavities and NEOMS, optical measurements and characterisation techniques in the RF/microwave range.

Personal Skills

• Ability to synthesise arguments and develop research concepts and/or methods;
• Excellent organisational skills;
• Ability to work both as part of an international team and on one’s own initiative;
• Hands-on approach combined with a strong commitment to meeting deadlines;
• Problem solving skills;
• Good oral and written communication skills;
• Proficiency in English (spoken, written and reading comprehension). 

Our Benefits

• Competitive salary;
• Tax benefits and other Diplomatic privileges; 
• Private health insurance; 
• Family allowances (according to family situation);
• Free nursery service at INL premises (subject to availability); 
• Support for education fees of dependent children; 
• Relocation support;

• 30 working days of annual leave.

   

How to Apply

The application must be in English and include the following mandatory documents:

1. Cover letter
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. Academic and/or Professional diplomas

Online application instructions:

1. The application is made online by clicking the “Apply” button;
2. The candidate must complete all required sections of the online application form;
3. The candidate must submit the mandatory documents mentioned above in pdf format by including them in the “Additional files” section using the “Add portfolio” button.

Important note:

Incomplete applications including the failure to provide mandatory documents or providing inaccurate information will result in the application not being considered. 

How the Selection Process works

A. Applications eligibility check

This stage will be carried out on the basis of the mandatory requirements, education, experience and technical skills defined for the job, as well as the validation of the mandatory documents. Only candidates who meet the eligibility criteria will move forward to the next stage.

B. CV Assessment

The Selection Committee will evaluate the eligible applications based on their CV and other submitted documents and the suitability for the position. The best ranked candidates will be shortlisted for the interview stage(s).

C. Interview(s)

The interview(s) may be done in different formats: video recording, online or onsite.

The question based interview will evaluate the match between the candidate’s profile and the requirements for the position, including the technical and personal skills. To better support this stage, the candidate may be requested to prepare a short presentation.

D. Nomination

The selected candidate will be nominated and formally offered the position, including the disclosure of the contractual conditions. 

Additional Information

Application feedback 

We highly value your interest in becoming part of the INL experience and it is important for us to maintain good communications with all candidates. No matter the outcome of your application, we will always provide you with feedback.

Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Principle

INL follows a non-discrimination and equal access principle, wherefore no candidate can be privileged, benefited, impaired or deprived of any rights whatsoever, or be exempt of and duties based on any possible discriminatory issues. 

The advertisement deadline may be extended at any time without previous notice in order to improve the suitability and effectiveness of the recruitment process.

About INL

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory – INL (http://www.inl.int), is the first and only Intergovernmental Organisation in the world entirely focused on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. 

It was founded under an international legal framework to perform interdisciplinary research, deploy and communicate nanotechnology for the benefit of society. INL aims to be a recognised leading global nanotechnology innovation hub.