Postdoctoral Fellow in Integrated Photonics for Adaptive Optics and Optical Communications

Position Description

??

????

Normal
0

false
false
false

X-NONE
cs

????

??

/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-pagination:none;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-GB;}

The Dunlap Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of Toronto (UofT) seeks to appoint a postdoctoral researcher to work on the design, fabrication, packaging, and characterization of photonic integrated circuits for adaptive optics, free-space optical communications, and quantum communications.

The appointee will work as a member of Prof. Suresh Sivanandam’s research group, in close collaboration with Tightbeam Photonics Inc. (tightbeam.ca) and the National Research Council of Canada (NRC). The successful candidate will take a leading role in the continued development of the photonic Adaptive Optics System-on-a-Chip (AOSoC), which combines wavefront sensing and correction on a photonic integrated circuit. The AOSoC is being developed as the core adaptive optics technology for compact optical ground stations capable of supporting space-to-ground classical and quantum optical communications, as well as astronomical applications.

Responsibilities will include photonic integrated circuit design, simulation, layout, and verification; designing devices using photonic foundry Process Design Kits (PDKs); preparing designs for fabrication; interfacing with foundries; testing and characterization of fabricated devices; and development of practical optical and electrical packaging solutions for integration of the AOSoC into an operational optical ground station. The appointee will work with existing University of Toronto and NRC researchers to advance the current AOSoC architecture and establish an in-house capability for the complete photonic-chip development cycle, from device design through fabrication, characterization, packaging, and system integration. The candidate will also work closely with the optical systems postdoctoral researcher to define interfaces between the AOSoC and the ground station and to integrate and test packaged devices within the complete system.

The Dunlap Institute pursues groundbreaking astronomical research through innovative approaches to instrumentation, data-driven science and observations, alongside a substantive commitment to outreach and training. The Dunlap Institute is co-located with and has strong ties to the University of Toronto’s David A. Dunlap Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics (DADDAA) and to the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics (CITA). These three units together host more than 150 faculty, postdocs, staff and students, who conduct a diverse research program across instrumentation, observations, computation and theory. The Dunlap Institute is located on a beautiful 19th century campus in the heart of one of the world’s great cities. Rated as having one of the highest standards of living in the world, Toronto offers a huge range of indoor and outdoor pursuits, and a vibrant and diverse cultural community.

The initial appointment will be for two years, with the possibility of further extensions subject to funding availability. The position has a starting annual salary of CAD $74,922 plus generous benefits, a research allowance of CAD $10,000 per year, relocation assistance, and the opportunity to request additional research funds from the Dunlap Institute.

Applicants must have earned a PhD in astronomy, astrophysics, physics, photonics, engineering or a related field at the time of appointment. Applicants should have a PhD awarded on or after January 1, 2022 (career interruptions or other extenuating circumstances will be accommodated, and should be noted in the cover letter). The other selection criteria for this position are:

1) demonstrated experience in photonic integrated circuit (PIC) design and hands-on characterization and testing of photonic devices in a laboratory environment;

2) demonstrated experience designing PICs using photonic foundry Process Design Kits (PDKs) and taking designs through the fabrication process; and

3) a demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a collaborative instrumentation-development team.

Additional desirable but not essential criteria are: experience with photonic-chip packaging, including fibre coupling, optical interfaces, and electrical interfacing; experience with silicon photonics, interferometric photonic circuits, phase shifters, integrated beam forming or wavefront control, and photonic device modelling; experience developing or testing control interfaces for photonic circuits; and familiarity with adaptive optics, free-space optical communications, or quantum communications.

The Dunlap Institute is committed to an inclusive and flexible workplace. We encourage applications from qualified applicants of all sexual orientations and gender expressions, racialized people, Indigenous peoples, and persons with disabilities. Subject to immigration regulations, the successful candidate will be given the option to take up the position as a part-time appointment (such a request need not be made as part of a candidate's initial application).

The nominal starting date for the position is January 2027, but flexibility is available. All application materials must be submitted online at AcademicJobsOnline by October 29, 2026. Applicants should submit (in PDF format):

• a cover letter explicitly addressing the above selection criteria,
• a curriculum vitae,
• a list of publications, and
• a summary of research/instrumentation accomplishments and future interests (maximum three pages).

Applicants should also arrange to have three letters of reference (on letterhead and signed) uploaded through AcademicJobsOnline by the writers by October 29, 2026.

??

????

Normal
0
false

false
false
false

EN-CA
ZH-TW
AR-SA

????

??

/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}

The normal
hours of work are 40 hours per week for a full-time postdoctoral fellow
(pro-rated for those holding a partial appointment) recognizing that the needs
of the employee’s research and professional development and the needs of the
supervisor’s research program may require flexibility in the performance of the
employee’s duties and hours of work.

Employment as a
Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Toronto is covered by the terms of the
CUPE 3902 Unit 5 Collective Agreement. This job is posted in accordance with
the CUPE 3902 Unit 5 Collective Agreement.

The
University of Toronto is strongly committed to diversity within its community
and especially welcomes applications from racialized persons / persons of
colour, women, Indigenous / Aboriginal People of North America, persons with
disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further
diversification of ideas.