New

Research Scholar

North Carolina State University

Commensurate based on education and experience

United States, North Carolina, Raleigh

May 06, 2025

Posting Information

Posting Number	PG194089EP
Internal Recruitment	No
Working Title	Research Scholar
Anticipated Hiring Range	Commensurate based on education and experience
Work Schedule	40 Hrs/week
Job Location	Raleigh, NC
Department	Electrical and Computer Engineering
About the Department	North Carolina State University has a foundational legacy of disruptive innovation in wide-bandgap materials, optoelectronic devices, and large-scale photonic integrated circuits. We are establishing advanced research capabilities to build radically different photonic and optoelectronic systems operating in the ultra-violet to visible to near-IR spectral regime based on integrating wide-bandgap semiconductors (primarily III-Nitride materials) and III-V compound materials. These advances will enable radical advances in various fields, including sensors, imaging, visible-light/IR communications, computational accelerators, AI infrastructure, chip-scale atomic systems (including optical clocks), quantum photonics, and quantum communications. The core photonics and optoelectronics effort at NCSU has over 100 cumulative years of leadership experience in advancing state-of-the-art solutions in III-nitride materials and devices, optoelectronics/photonics, and photonic integrated circuits. We have world-leading capabilities and research efforts in the areas of crystal growth, materials integration, device processing, and device/system design. We are now seeking to enhance and grow this effort in the areas of integrated photonic devices.
Essential Job Duties	Photonic links are well-established for handling high data bandwidths and diverse signal types. However, their integration within microsystems remains limited due to planar optical routing constraints. The candidate will help lead advancements in unprecedented link efficiency and density performance. The focus will be on the use of novel fabrication techniques to create advanced photonic chips. The program will enable new microsystem architectures for future applications such as interconnect communications, AI infrastructure, optical phased arrays, quantum sensing, etc. As a research scholar, you will be at the forefront of our efforts to develop key enabling integrated photonic technologies to make this a reality. You will work closely with a multidisciplinary team of engineers, researchers, and faculty during full development cycles from conceptual device design to running application demonstrations. Key Responsibilities: Fabrication of various chip-scale photonic devices (e.g., Stepper, contact, and E-beam lithography, wet etching, RIE, ICP-RIE, wafer-bonding, PECVD, metal sputter/evaporation, ALD, lapping/polishing, dicing, etc.). Utilize SEM, AFM, ellipsometry, and image processing tools for nanofabrication characterization. Documenting all technical work and reporting to team leads. Perform measurements of photonic integrated circuits and be able to automate fiber alignment systems with custom scripts (e.g., Python). Exhibit strong judgment and proactive decision-making to resolve key issues and ensure project and product deadlines are met. Plan and conduct experiments efficiently, analyze metrology results, and generate reports to inform design and process decisions. Mentor Ph.D., Master, and Undergraduate student researchers. Prepare manuscripts for publication in high-impact journals and peer-reviewed academic conferences. Join us to be part of a team that shapes the future of photonic interconnects! You Belong Here - NC State University offers a multitude of career prospects that align with the university's Employee Value Proposition. NC State University has prepared a Candidate Guide which contains valuable information on our childcare partnerships, tuition waiver program, relocation services, wellness and recreation memberships, employer subsidized health coverage, and much more. Discover the possibilities at NC State University and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering for your professional and personal growth.
Other Responsibilities

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience	PhD in electrical engineering, photonics, physics, or any closely related engineering field.
Other Required Qualifications	Proven hands-on experience in micro/nanofabrication within an academic or industrial cleanroom setting. Experience with photolithography, contact lithography, e-beam lithography, ICP-RIE, PECVD, ALD, SEM, AFM, wafer-bonding, RTA. Mask layout (GDSFactory, Luceda, L-Edit, Synopsys OptoDesigner, etc.). Strong organizational and planning abilities. Detail-oriented, capable of following standard procedures, and able to work both independently and collaboratively with the current team and others. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential. Our group values effective collaboration.
Preferred Qualifications	Experience with simulations of active/passive photonic devices such as waveguides, couplers, meta-lenses constructed of various materials. Be able to conduct performance/tolerance trade-offs for manufacturability and high-temperature environments to meet program goals. (e.g., Lumerical, Zemax). Inverse or AI/ML-aided photonic design experience. Experience re-iterating the design/fabrication/characterization life cycle. Laboratory and measurement automation (e.g. Python) Experience with statistical analysis for quality control (QC) and process optimization. Expertise in process development and troubleshooting, proficiency with device layout software, computer programming skills, and data analysis capabilities.
Required License(s) or Certification(s)	N/A
Valid NC Driver's License required	No
Commercial Driver's License required	No

Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions

Job Open Date	05/06/2025
Anticipated Close Date	Open Until Filled
Special Instructions to Applicants	Please include a resume, cover letter and contact information for at least three professional references.

Position Details

Position Number	00111443
Position Type	EPS/SAAO
Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week)	1.00
Appointment	12 Month Recurring
Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather	Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather
Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events	Non Mandatory - Emergency Event
Department ID	140401 - Electrical & Computer Engineering
EEO	NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity. If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu. Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit. NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.