PhD candidate Photoadressable Quantum Photonics

Vacancy number:  16646

Job type:  PhD positions

Contract hours min:  38

Contract hours max:  40

Location:  Leiden

Applying is possible up to and including:  5 juli 2026

Role PhD candidate Photoadressable Quantum Photonics

Photonic integrated circuits are emerging as a key technology for future communication, sensing, and quantum computing systems. Current reconfigurable photonic platforms mostly rely on thermal tuning of optical waveguides, which requires continuous power consumption and limits scalability and energy efficiency. Developing low-power, stable, and programmable photonic hardware therefore represents an important challenge for next-generation photonic technologies.

In this research, you will explore a new class of photoaddressable and birefringent polymer materials that enable permanent, light-written reconfiguration of photonic circuits. By integrating these materials with low-loss silicon nitride waveguides, you will develop reconfigurable photonic devices for applications in quantum photonics, optical filtering, and photonic sensing. Particular emphasis will be placed on programmable Mach–Zehnder interferometers, reconfigurable optical filters, and low-loss quantum photonic circuits operating at telecommunications wavelengths. The project combines nanofabrication, optical experiments, materials science, and photonic circuit design to create energy-efficient and highly adaptable photonic technologies.

What you will do

You will be part of a multidisciplinary research effort at the interface of integrated photonics, quantum optics, and functional polymer materials. The project brings together expertise in nanophotonics, quantum optics, polymer chemistry, and optical design through collaborations with academic and industrial partners across the Netherlands. You will work closely with researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology who are developing the photoaddressable polymers for integration into low-loss and reconfigurable photonic circuits.

You will:

• Design and characterize hybrid silicon nitride–polymer photonic circuits.
• Investigate photoaddressable birefringent polymer platforms for rewritable and programmable photonic devices.
• Perform optical and quantum optical experiments on integrated photonic components, including Mach–Zehnder interferometers, resonators, and programmable optical filters.
• Investigate low-loss and reconfigurable photonic architectures for applications in quantum photonics and optical sensing.
• Explore quantum interference phenomena such as Hong–Ou–Mandel interference to evaluate the performance of reconfigurable quantum photonic components.
• Collaborate with researchers from physics, chemistry, and engineering backgrounds within a multidisciplinary academic and industrial network.

Where you will work

The Leiden Institute for Research in Physics (LION) is one of the oldest physics institutes in the Netherlands, with more than 180 staff members and approximately 30 senior scientists. Our research spans a wide range of topics, from cosmology to quantum physics and from economic networks to the physics behind DNA. There is extensive collaboration with other disciplines both within and beyond the university, as well as with industry partners. Curiosity is what unites everyone within the institute. Together, we push the boundaries of knowledge, provide inspiring education, and connect science with society.

Research within the Faculty of Science covers disciplines ranging from mathematics, computer science, astronomy, physics, chemistry, and biopharmaceutical sciences to biology and environmental sciences. This research is carried out within eight institutes, which also offer eight bachelor's and fifteen master's programs. In recent years, the faculty has experienced significant growth and now has more than 2,300 staff members and approximately 5,700 students. We are located in the heart of the Bio Science Park, one of Europe’s largest science parks, where academia and industry come together. Working at our faculty means being part of a dynamic, international environment where both staff and students are driven by curiosity—not only to expand fundamental knowledge for the sake of science but also to contribute to solving the major societal challenges of tomorrow.

What you bring

In this team, we are looking for someone who enjoys working at the interface of photonics, quantum optics, and advanced materials. Every job is different, so in the beginning we will devote attention to your onboarding. If some of the work activities are new to you, we will look together at what you need, and draw up a development plan. This position is a good fit for you if you recognise yourself in the following:

• You have, or will shortly acquire, a master’s degree in physics, applied physics, nanoscience, or a closely related discipline. 
• You are interested in integrated photonics, quantum optics, or optical materials. 
• You are an experimentalist with experience in or affinity for optical measurements, nanofabrication, or photonic device characterization. 
• You combine strong experimental skills with an interest in theoretical modelling and numerical simulation. 
• Experience with integrated photonics, cleanroom fabrication, quantum optics, or electromagnetic simulation tools is an advantage. 
• You are enthusiastic and highly motivated.
• You have a creative mindset and excellent analytical and communication skills.
• You have a good team spirit and like to work in an interdisciplinary and internationally oriented environment.

If you immediately recognize yourself in this profile, or if you do not quite meet all the requirements, but you believe that this is the right job for you, we look forward to your application!

What we offer

 Our goal is to work together to create a transparent and inclusive work environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated. Our organisation is always evolving and we need your ideas for improvement and innovation to take us further. We want to devote attention to your personal development.
 You can count on an enjoyable job within the socially relevant world of education and research. The University's challenging and international work environment is located just steps away from Leiden’s lively city centre or the bustling city centre of The Hague. We also want to work with you to devote attention to your health and vitality, for example with the fun activities we organise through Healthy University.
 We also offer:

• We offer a full-time 1-year term position for initially one year. After a positive evaluation of the progress of the thesis, personal capabilities and compatibility, the appointment will be extended by a further three years. This contract falls under the CLA of Dutch Universities;
• A starting salary of € 3.059,00 based on a full-time appointment (38 hours); in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, pay scale P0;
• A holiday allowance (8%), an end-of-year bonus (8,3%), and an attractive pension scheme at ABP;
• Full reimbursement of public transport commuting costs for home-to-work travel;
• Flexible working hours: as a standard, you are entitled to a minimum of 29 leave days on the basis of a full-time working week of 38 hours; you can also save for extra leave, for example by working 40 hours a week, and in this way accrue an extra 96 leave hours, or exchange 96 leave hours for a 36-hour week.
• Lots of options when it comes to secondary employment conditions; we can, for example, discuss options for a sabbatical or paid parental leave. Within our terms of employment individual choices model, you can exchange leave days and/or salary for benefits such as an advantageous sports subscription and bicycle scheme;
• If your work allows it, hybrid working is possible within the Netherlands;
• A home-working allowance (day and internet allowance) and attention for good workplaces. The University will also provide you with a laptop and a mobile telephone.

For more information about employment conditions,see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions

What we value

Promoting an inclusive community is central to Leiden University’s values and vision. We strive to be an open community in which all students and staff members feel valued and respected, and are able to fully develop themselves. We consider an inclusive academic environment, where students and staff can share their experiences and viewpoints, to be essential for the development of talent.

Want to apply or find out more?

If you want to apply straight away, click the application button.

Please ensure that you upload the following documents:

• Cover Letter including the motivation for the project
• Curriculum vitae
• Contact details of two references

If you would like more information about what the job entails, please contact Michiel de Dood, [email protected]. You can apply until 5 July 2026.

 To help us get to know each other better, we follow a number of steps in the application procedure. For more information, see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions.

Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated. If you nevertheless choose to send us CVs, no rights can be derived from this.