International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory Careers

Research Assistant – Development of Electro-Optical Interfaces for Light Energy Harvesting Processes in Photonic Integrated Chips (PICs)

Job Reference: Ref.26.26.428

Employer: International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL)

Location: Braga, Portugal

Group/Unit: Nieder Research Group

Number of Vacancies: 1

Employment Type: Full time

Contract Duration: 36 months

Salary Range: 25K – 28K

Open Date for Applications: August 19th, 2026

Closing Date for Applications: September 8th, 2026, 23h00m (Lisbon Time)

Key words: #photonics #integratedphotonics #PICS #nanofabrication

#adancedmaterials #energyharvesting #energytransfer #2Dmaterials

Overview

The Nieder research group on Quantum-, Bio- and Nanophotonics is engaged in exploring light-matter interactions and control within three primary domains. The group collaborates with researchers and innovators to apply novel techniques for therapeutic advancements or enhanced diagnostic tools.

The Research Assistant will be involved the BLOSSOM project which is developed by INL and in collaboration with an international consortium via the EIC Pathfinder funded project.

Job Duties

The job duties will be the following:

• Contribute to an interdisciplinary project combining advanced materials and energy harvesting molecules, as well as hybrid 2D materials or plasmonics, with Integrated photonic chip (PIC) technology.
• Material selection, preparation and deposition onto PIC.
• Characterise electro-optical properties of the material and when integrated into a PIC.
• Be involved in PIC design and simulation, as well as PIC nanofabrication and functionalisation, in collaboration with Micro nanofabrication engineering team.
• Integrate the material onto a test PIC using patterning or micro-deposition techniques.
• Participate in BLOSSOM consortia meetings, conferences, develop project reports and contribute to the publication of project results.

Mandatory Qualifications

Education

• Master’s degree in Physics, Physics Engineering, Photonics or related fields.

Experience and Technical Skills

• Experience in FDTD simulations of advantage.
• Experience in optical and/or optoelectronic characterisation of materials and/or devices (transmission, absorbance or fluorescence properties analysis).
• Experience in working with liquid samples (colloidal solutions, refractive index solutions, 2D materials or similar).
• Experience performing data analysis using Python/Matlab or similar.

Other Valued Skills

• Experience in literature research.
• Experience in nanofabrication – design or fabrication (e.g., lithography processes, etching processes).
• Experience in morphological characterisation (opt. microscopy, Profilometry, SEM, AFM or similar).
• Experience working with optical spectroscopy (steady state or time resolved).
• Experience with sample handling (dilution series, self-assembly, 2D materials preparation or transfer).

Personal Skills

• “Hands-on” approach together with a high commitment in respecting working deadlines;
• Problem Solving ability.
• Customer orientation.
• Ability to work independently and as team player.
• Good communication skills.

Our Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Tax benefits and other Diplomatic privileges.
• Private health insurance.
• Family allowances (according to family situation).
• Free nursery service at INL premises (subject to availability).
• Support for education fees of dependent children.
• Relocation support.
• 30 working days of annual leave.

How to Apply

The application must be in English and include the following mandatory documents:

a)     Cover letter;

b)     Curriculum Vitae;

c)      Academic and/or Professional diplomas;

Online application instructions:

1. The application is made online by clicking the “Apply” button;
2. The candidate must complete all required sections of the online application form;
3. The candidate must submit the mandatory documents mentioned above in pdf format by including them in the “Additional files” section using the “Add portfolio” button.

Important note:

Incomplete applications including the failure to provide mandatory documents or providing inaccurate information will result in the application not being considered.

How the Selection Process works
 

A. Applications eligibility check

This stage will be carried out on the basis of the mandatory requirements, education, experience and technical skills defined for the job, as well as the validation of the mandatory documents. Only candidates who meet the eligibility criteria will move forward to the next stage.

B. CV Assessment

The Selection Committee will evaluate the eligible applications based on their CV and other submitted documents and the suitability for the position. The best ranked candidates will be shortlisted for the interview stage(s).

C. Interview(s)

The interview(s) may be done in different formats: video recording, online or onsite.

The question based interview will evaluate the match between the candidate’s profile and the requirements for the position, including the technical and personal skills. To better support this stage, the candidate may be requested to prepare a short presentation.

D. Nomination

The selected candidate will be nominated and formally offered the position, including the disclosure of the contractual conditions. 

Additional Information

Application feedback

We highly value your interest in becoming part of the INL experience and it is important for us to maintain good communications with all candidates. No matter the outcome of your application, we will always provide you with feedback.

Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Principle

INL follows a non-discrimination and equal access principle, wherefore no candidate can be privileged, benefited, impaired or deprived of any rights whatsoever, or be exempt of and duties based on any possible discriminatory issues.

The advertisement deadline may be extended at any time without previous notice in order to improve the suitability and effectiveness of the recruitment process.

About INL

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory – INL (http://www.inl.int), is the first and only Intergovernmental Organisation in the world entirely focused on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.

It was founded under an international legal framework to perform interdisciplinary research, deploy and communicate nanotechnology for the benefit of society. INL aims to be a recognised leading global nanotechnology innovation hub.