Doctoral Student in Photonic Fluids and Frequency Combs

Our group explores new regimes of frequency comb physics — laser sources that generate thousands of evenly spaced spectral lines, acting as ultra-precise rulers for measuring light. We study liquid-like light in fast-gain semiconductor lasers, where strong nonlinear dynamics can produce stable and controllable broadband states. Our research combines semiconductor device fabrication, precision optical experiments, and theoretical and numerical modelling to understand and control these systems.

Project background

This project investigates the dynamics, fluctuations, and open-system physics of liquid light. The doctoral student will work across the full experimental cycle: developing and fabricating photonic devices, building and operating optical setups, performing precision measurements, and modelling the underlying nonlinear dynamics.

Job description

• Designing and fabricating semiconductor photonic devices using cleanroom processes, followed by their electrical and optical characterization.
• Building and operating advanced laser and optical measurement setups to study temporal dynamics, fluctuations, coherence, and controlled light–matter interactions.
• Developing theoretical and numerical models to describe nonlinear laser dynamics, interpret experiments, and guide the design of new devices and measurements.

The goal is to establish a versatile experimental platform for probing and controlling liquid-light dynamics, connecting device physics, precision measurements, and nonlinear photonic theory.

Profile

• Strong background in physics and\or electrical engineering, photonics, or a closely related field.
• Interest in combining fabrication, experimental work, and theory/simulations.
• Advantage to previous experience with cleanroom fabrication, optical experiments, lasers, or numerical modelling is helpful, but specific platform experience is not required.

Workplace

Workplace

We offer

• A research environment combining fundamental physics, semiconductor technology, and advanced photonics.
• State-of-the-art cleanroom, laser, and characterization facilities at ETH Zürich.
• The opportunity to develop broad expertise spanning device fabrication, precision experiments, and theoretical modelling within one PhD project.

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