Summary:
TU Delft is offering a PhD position to develop CMOS-compatible broadband photodetectors for compact spectropolarimetric cameras. The successful candidate will design, fabricate, and characterize detector structures specifically aimed at space-based Earth observation.
PhD Position: Broadband Semiconductor Photodetectors for Spectropolarimetric Imaging, TU Delft, Netherlands
Designation: PhD Candidate
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
| Faculty/Department | Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics & Computer Science |
| Salary Range | €3,204 – €4,051 gross per month |
| Hours per week | 36 – 40 hours |
| FTE | 1.0 |
| Duration | 4 years (Initial 1.5-year contract, followed by a 2.5-year extension based on performance) |
| Job ID | 3707 |
Research Area:
Electronic Instrumentation, Microelectronics, Semiconductor Device Physics, and Photonics.
Location:
Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), Delft, Netherlands.
Eligibility & Qualifications
To be eligible for this position, applicants must have:
- A Master’s degree in electrical engineering, microelectronics, applied physics, photonics, materials science, nanotechnology, or a related discipline.
- A solid foundation in semiconductor device physics, particularly with photodetectors or image sensors.
- Experience in at least one of the following areas: semiconductor processing, cleanroom fabrication, device modeling or TCAD, electrical characterization, or optical detector characterization.
- Advantageous: Experience measuring spectral responsivity, quantum efficiency, dark current, or noise.
- The ability to analyze experimental data using scientific programming or simulation tools (e.g., Python, MATLAB, COMSOL).
- The ability to systematically plan experiments, quantify uncertainty, and document results reproducibly.
- Proficiency in written and spoken English, and the ability to collaborate across device, optics, and system disciplines.
Job Description
Compact instruments that measure both the spectrum and polarization of light can drastically improve the monitoring of atmospheric constituents from space. As part of the INTERPRETER project, this PhD focuses on a broadband semiconductor photodetector platform spanning the visible and short-wave infrared (SWIR) spectrums.
Your core responsibilities will include:
- Translating system requirements into detector specifications.
- Designing, modeling, and fabricating suitable device structures utilizing a CMOS-compatible integration route.
- Characterizing spectral responsivity, quantum efficiency, dark current, noise, linearity, uniformity, and stability.
- Investigating the integration of detectors with overlying photonic-crystal filters (e.g., alignment, optical/electrical crosstalk, and calibration).
The ultimate goal is to benchmark a detector array suitable for integration into a highly compact spectropolarimetric camera. You will work within the Electronic Instrumentation group under the supervision of Prof. Kofi Makinwa and Dr. Padmakumar R. Rao, collaborating closely with SRON and other partners.
How to Apply
Interested candidates must apply online via the official TU Delft application portal. Applications sent by email or post will not be processed. You will need to upload the following documents addressed to Dr. Padmakumar R. Rao:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Motivational Letter
- Academic Transcripts
- Thesis or a writing sample
Note: A risk assessment regarding knowledge security will be conducted in the final stages of recruitment.
Last Date to Apply:
September 1, 2026
