DTU Tenure Track Researcher in Photonic Integrated Circuits for Optical Communications - DTU Electro

At DTU Electro, you will develop novel energy efficient chip-based communication systems, such as microcomb light sources, optical modulators and switches, as well as passive components such as filters, couplers and crosse. Hereby novel material platforms, for example piezoelectrics (LiNbO3, LiTaO3 BaTiO3) will be explored.
You will work on process development in DTU Cleanroom (DTU Nanolab), design components as well as the characterization of on-chip optical devices. You will build your own research profile while contributing to ongoing projects, teaching and supervision
Responsibilities and qualifications
Your focus will be to strengthen the development of optical chip integrated components for the future of energy efficient telecommunication systems, in collaboration with colleagues and partners in Denmark and abroad.
Your primary tasks will be to:

• Develop and fabricate novel, energy efficient optical components at DTU Nanolab
• Characterize optical chip-based components
• Contribute to existing projects through design, simulation, fabrication, laboratory characterization and performance evaluation.
• Publish your work in scientific journals and present your work at international conferences
• Attract external funding and build academic and industrial collaborations.
• Teach and supervise BSc, MSc and PhD students at cleanroom fabrication, optical simulation and characterization.

We expect you to have:

• PhD in physics, optics, material science or a related field.
• In depth knowledge of solid-state physics and its consequences for on chip optical devices.
• Theoretical knowledge and understanding of cleanroom processes such as lithography, thin film deposition and etching (wet, dry)
• Extensive Cleanroom Experience including lithography (electron beam, UV), Dry etching (Ion Beam Etching, Reactive Ion Etching), Thin film deposition (PECVD, LPCVD, Sputtering, Evaporation)
• Experience in optical simulation (Ansys Lumerical, CST, Comsol)
• Experience with the characterization of chip-based optical components.
• Experience with experimental work, modelling and data analysis.
• Strong publication record relative to career stage and a clear tenure-track research vision.
• Motivation for teaching, supervision and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Experience with RF Design (HFSS) is an advantage.
You must contribute to the teaching of courses. DTU employs two working languages: Danish and English. You are expected to be fluent in at least one of these languages, and in time are expected to master both.
As formal qualification you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent).
You will be assessed against the responsibilities and qualifications stated above and the following general criteria:

• Research experience
• Experience and quality of teaching
• Research vision and potential
• International impact and experience
• Societal impact
• Innovativeness, including commercialization and collaboration with industry
• Leadership, collaboration, and interdisciplinary skills
• Communication skills

Salary and terms of employment
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. In addition, supplements can be negotiated in accordance with DTU’s salary structure for scientific staff: www.inside.dtu.dk/en/human-resources/during-employment/salary/salary-structures.
Starting date is 1 February, 2027 or according to mutual agreement. The position is a full-time position.
The position is part of DTU’s Tenure Track program. Read more about the program and the recruitment process here.
You can read more about career paths at DTU here.
Further information
Further information may be obtained from Professor Leif Katsuo Oxenløwe [email protected].
You can read more about DTU Electro at DTU Electro.
If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark.
Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 30 September 2026 (23:59 Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• Application (cover letter)
• Vision for teaching and research for the tenure track period
• CV including employment history, list of publications, H-index and ORCID (see http://orcid.org/)
• Teaching portfolio including documentation of teaching experience
• Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD)

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.
DTU Electro 
DTU Electro employs more than 300 skilled researchers with competencies in electrical and photonics engineering. As a department, we strive towards creating sustainable energy and a greener internet, as well as strengthening cyber security and health technology. Working with industry and public organizations is one of our top priorities to find and implement new solutions to our society. We aim to offer education, research, and innovation of the highest standard, and our focus on application-oriented research enables us to work across many engineering disciplines and research areas, such as IT and the medical and health sciences. We have a close collaboration with researchers from all over the world, just as we collaborate with industry and public authorities about the dissemination of solutions based on electrical and photonics engineering as their key enabling technologies.
DTU – For the benefit of society since 1829
DTU is one of Europe's leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe's global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.