Doctoral Student in Photonic Fluids and Frequency Combs

About the role

The Institute for Quantum Electronics at ETH Zurich is looking for a doctoral student to study liquid-like light in fast-gain semiconductor lasers, where strong nonlinear dynamics can produce stable and controllable broadband states. The project investigates the dynamics, fluctuations and open-system physics of liquid light, combining semiconductor device fabrication, precision optical experiments and theoretical and numerical modelling. The position is fixed-term and based in Zurich.

Key responsibilities

• Design and fabricate semiconductor photonic devices using cleanroom processes, then characterise them electrically and optically.
• Build and operate advanced laser and optical measurement setups to study temporal dynamics, fluctuations, coherence and controlled light-matter interactions.
• Develop theoretical and numerical models of nonlinear laser dynamics to interpret experiments and guide the design of new devices and measurements.
• Contribute to establishing an experimental platform that connects device physics, precision measurements and nonlinear photonic theory.

Required profile

• Strong background in physics and/or electrical engineering, photonics or a closely related field.
• Interest in combining fabrication, experimental work and theory/simulation.
• Previous experience with cleanroom fabrication, optical experiments, lasers or numerical modelling is an advantage but not required.

What we offer

• A research environment combining fundamental physics, semiconductor technology and advanced photonics.
• State-of-the-art cleanroom, laser and characterization facilities at ETH Zurich.
• The chance to develop broad expertise across device fabrication, precision experiments and theoretical modelling within one PhD project.

Applications are submitted online only as a single merged PDF containing a cover letter, CV, academic transcripts, three reference contacts and a publication or thesis sample; the deadline is 17 November.