PICs@ICFO Strategic Initiative: Research Engineer in Materials Structuring and Characterization of Photonic Integrated Circuits

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.

To strengthen this initiative, ICFO is seeking PIC Nano-structuring and Nano-characterization Research Engineer with a strong technical background in materials research, characterization of morphology and interfaces, failure analysis, and photonic integrated circuits characterization.

Position Overview:

We offer a research engineer position to an experienced engineer with demonstrated expertise in integrated photonics and material research, especially characterization of PICs and their related materials. The successful candidate will contribute to both technical innovation and Pilot Line development in collaboration with academic and industrial stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

The selected candidate will be expected to:

• Set-up, run and consolidate some nanofabrication techniques for PIC development within the PIXEurope Pilot Line.
• Set-up, run and consolidate the characterization techniques for PIC development within the PIXEurope Pilot Line.
• Contribute to characterization and application-oriented activities of PIXEurope Pilot Line and other projects related to PICs. Interface with multidisciplinary teams and contribute to the establishment of high-quality characterization workflows.

This position is hosted by the Optoelectronics group, led by Prof Valerio Pruneri, and the Nanocharacterization lab, led by Dr. Johann Osmond.

PIXEurope is co-funded by the Chips Joint Undertaking and national funding authorities of the Participating States, Spain, Ireland, The Netherlands, Finland, Belgium, Portugal, Poland, Austria, France, Italy, United Kingdom. In particular, it is co-funded by Spain through the Ministry for Digital Transformation and Civil Service under reference CJU-010000-2025-0005, as part of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan (PRTR).

Applicants must hold an engineer degree or a master degree Science or Engineering, preferably in fields related to nanoscience and nanotechnology, photonics, materials science, or electrical engineering.

Candidates should demonstrate strong expertise in the following areas:

• Fabrication and characterization of devices made of materials used in PICs, such as semiconductors, 2D materials, colloidal quantum dots, or thin films.
• Metrology characterization in a 200 mm diameter wafer capabilities environment
• Nanofabrication process development
• Characterization of defects and their automatic detection in the different processes of nanofabrication.
• Defect and failure analysis ranging from material structure to PIC devices.
• Metrology and nanoscale characterization of PICs. Materials research and chemical analysis of materials

Expertise, or at least exposure, in the following technique will be evaluated:

• Nanofabrication techniques such as photoresist deposition, Electron beam lithography, optical lithography, Reactive Ion Etching, thin film deposition, Atomic Layer deposition, Chemical Vapour Deposition)
• Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Focused Ion Beam to perform CD metrology, to realize some cross-sections and later observe the different transitions and interfaces of layers with integrated SEM, preparation of TEM lamellas.
• Atomic Force Microscopy, especially applied to large wafers for automatic detection of CDs, line edge, surface and sidewall roughness, and electrical characterization
• Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) to characterize interfaces and map atomic elements by Energy Dispersive Microscopy.
• Raman spectroscopy for material characterization. Nano-infrared characterization using Scanning Probe Microscopy to provide chemical information in the infrared range at nanoscale dimension.

Desired (but not required) skills:

• Proven track record in industry-oriented research, ideally involving joint R&D&E projects with end-users.

What We Offer

• Fixed-term contract linked to NextGeneration funds (406)
• An engineer position within a leading-edge European research initiative, contributing to technological development with global impact.
• A dynamic work environment at the interface of fundamental research and industrial innovation, with opportunities for leadership and visibility.
• Competitive compensation aligned with ICFO’s internal scales. A family allowance may be granted to candidates with dependents, according to ICFO policies.

Equal Opportunity

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.

To apply, please submit your:

• resume,
• a cover letter outlining your experience, contact information for 2 professional references.

Applications should be submitted via the ICFOjobs platform http://jobs.icfo.eu. The selection process is conducted in accordance with ICFO’s Open, Transparent and Merit-based Recruitment (OTM-R) Policy, ensuring equal opportunities, transparency, and fair treatment for all applicants. Candidates are assessed exclusively on the basis of their qualifications, experience, skills, achievements, and potential in relation to the requirements of the position. Further information on the recruitment principles and procedures, conflict of interest and the appeals mechanism available to candidates, can be found in the OTM-R Policy.

The selection process will consist of:

1. Eligibility check of applications

2. Assessment of merits (education, experience, and language)

3. Interview with shortlisted candidates

The Evaluation Committee will include at least three members and ensure gender balance and impartiality.

Each phase will be documented, and candidates will be notified of the outcome within 15 days of the interview.

For formal enquiries regarding the application process, please contact: jobs@icfo.eu

For project and technology enquiries, please contact: valerio.pruneri@icfo.eu or johann.osmond@icfo.eu

For more information about ICFO, 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: 1150

Application deadline: 29/10/2026

29th of October, 2026