Apply to be part of a Horizon Europe Pathfinder science-to-technology breakthrough, targeting a paradigm shift in fabricating a novel optically active crystal – rare-earth (RE) doped sapphire (REDS). The EIC-funded project’s objective is to enhance laser technology performance through creating functionalised REDS thin-disks as new optical components for innovative-lasers applications. We’re looking for an enthusiastic postdoctoral fellow to be part of our team to advance our electron-beam lithography and plasma etch technology, ultimately develop a layer of amplified spontaneous emission mitigation (ASE) nanostructures on a new class of active mirror to underpin the next generation of thin-disk lasers.

What You’ll Do:

• Innovate: develop scalable electron-beam lithography processes to fabricate ASE mitigation photonic nanostructures on sapphire or equivalent substrates
• Collaborate: work with a dynamic team and engage in interdisciplinary research
• Experiment: gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge electron-beam lithography and plasma etch fabrication techniques, laser characterisations, and honing your practical skills
• Explore: help develop a deeper understanding of how to produce high-quality ASE mitigation nanostructures integrated to REDS crystals and scale to practical dimensions.

We’re seeking a capable and resourceful postdoctoral candidate eager to dive into laboratory work to develop high-resolution pattern transfer and microfabrication methods to create these novel optically active sapphire elements. You’ll have a solid grounding in physical sciences with an eagerness to understand and solve key challenges. You are a self-starter, able to organise own research activities effectively who is able to plan and justify focus on extensive research that will result in impactful outputs. The successful candidate will have an ability to clearly document and communicate research results.

You must be able to work effectively in a team and organise time, tasks and responsibilities with other team members. Experience in project management will be an advantage.

In this project you’ll have access to:

• State-of-the-art facilities: access to top-tier resources, cleanrooms, and materials-characterisation suites
• Interdisciplinary research: collaborate with experts within the university and beyond
• International collaboration: work closely with consortium partners across Europe towards ambitious project goals.

For informal enquiries, please write to Professor Harold Chong (hmhc@ecs.soton.ac.uk) or Dr Jacob Mackenzie (jim@orc.soton.ac.uk).

Further details can be found on the European Commission Fact Sheet: FAST

The post will be held in the School of Electronics and Computer Science (ECS) (http://ecs.soton.ac.uk) in collaboration with the Optoelectronics Research Centre (http://orc.soton.ac.uk).

Electronics and Computer Science provides a unique, friendly and supportive environment that facilitates use-inspired and multi-disciplinary research, education, training and outreach.

ECS holds an Athena SWAN Silver award in recognition of its’ continued commitment to improving equality for women in science and engineering. ECS provides a unique, friendly and supportive environment. We have a range of staff development programmes and a unique mentoring and wellbeing scheme.

To find out more about working at ECS, visit: https://www.ecs.soton.ac.uk/workinghere

The University of Southampton is committed to sustainability and being a globally responsible university and has recently been awarded the Platinum EcoAward.

Closing Date: 04 Nov 2026

Section: Education, Research & Enterprise

Salary: £37,369 to £45,641 Per annum
Full Time Fixed Term for 24 months

The CHIMES (Centre for Heterogeneous Integrated Micro-Electronic Systems) Innovation and Knowledge Centre (IKC) is one of four national centres funded by UKRI to support the UK electronics and semiconductor industry. The Centre exists to accelerate the adoption and commercialisation of Heterogeneous Integration (HI) across the UK supply chain.

A core activity of the Centre is to undertake industry-led, co-created projects in advanced methods of electronic systems design and the Heterogeneous Integration of semiconductors. This is an opportunity to join a Centre at the forefront of semiconductor innovation, working alongside industry partners and a network of leading universities to translate partner requirements into functioning demonstrators that solve real-world challenges.

About the Role

This Senior Analog/Mixed-Signal Design Engineer role is central to the IKC's mission and has two complementary aspects. First, working closely with the wider team, you will help develop reusable design methodologies and assets, becoming the Technical Authority on key technology areas such as PHY-level interfaces, custom pad circuits, and analog/digital interfaces. Second, working with the Co-Creation Project Lead and industry partner design teams, you will help develop functioning HI demonstrators, promote the adoption of reusable design methodologies, and resolve design challenges at the analog/mixed-signal interfaces within these systems.

You will provide hands-on analog/mixed-signal design expertise across co-creation PoC projects, with primary responsibility for PHY-level interface design at die-to-die boundaries, including drivers, receivers, ESD structures, termination, and clocking circuits tailored to specific process nodes and packaging technologies. You will define integration-level requirements and interface specifications, coordinate with specialist colleagues across digital design and verification, and undertake physical design work at the integration level, including floorplanning, I/O ring planning, and interface layout across dies, interposers, and packaging substrates.

In addition to project delivery, you will act as an advocate for the Centre's capabilities. You will engage in peer-to-peer technical dialogue with industry partner design teams, support partners in applying the Centre's reusable design assets, contribute to technical workshops and design masterclasses to upskill the UK design community, and represent the Centre's analog/mixed-signal design and integration capabilities at industry events and conferences.

About You

We are looking for a self-starter who can work proactively and collaboratively to achieve project outcomes. You will have authoritative practical knowledge of analog/mixed-signal circuit design and a strong understanding of the semiconductor design and manufacturing ecosystem, including design flows, PDKs, packaging processes, and design-for-test.

Additional Information

Travel to other industry partners and universities within the UK will be required, and international travel (for example to conferences) may be required. The maintenance of confidentiality in information and data management is mandatory at all times, including the handling of assets held under strict disclosure agreements.

For specific questions relating to this post please contact Professor Ibrahim Sari at ibrahim.sari@soton.ac.uk.

Closing Date: 31 Oct 2026

Section: Education, Research & Enterprise

Salary: £46,049 to £58,225 per annum
Full Time Fixed Term for 5 years