Assistant Professor In Ultra-Low Latency Hybrid Neuromorphic Photonics

Are you passionate about shaping the future of computing? Join us to advance neuromorphic photonics, via ultra-fast, low-energy information processing on photonic chips, and tackle challenges in scalable architectures and electronic-photonic co-design.

Introduction

Neuromorphic photonics is emerging as a promising paradigm to overcome bottlenecks in conventional computing, offering ultra-fast and low-energy information processing. Recent advances include both spiking and deep learning schemes implemented on photonic chips. However, integration challenges and material limitations remain. Non-volatile photonic elements and hybrid active–passive platforms are gaining traction, and momentum is building toward scalable architectures and electronic–photonic co-design.

The Electro-Optical Communication Systems group

This position is embedded in the Electro-Optical Communication Systems (ECO) group in the Department of Electrical Engineering at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). Our group has been a leader in optical communications research for over four decades. With a strong international reputation and collaborations spanning academia and industry worldwide, ECO offers an exceptional environment for pioneering scientists to shape the future of communication technologies. Our core strength lies in bridging diverse technologies and addressing the most pressing challenges in communication networks. We bring together expertise across the entire chain: from photonic integrated circuit (PIC) design and fabrication to advanced optical and wireless network architectures. This unique interdisciplinary scope positions us at the forefront of next-generation communication research, including high-capacity telecom and datacom and more flexible and dynamic LiFi, free-space optics, and hybrid RF-optical systems.

Our researchers have direct access to a state-of-the-art cleanroom and more than 300 m² of advanced laboratories. With 12 tenured faculty staff members and over 70 PhDs and postdocs, ECO offers a vibrant and collaborative environment in which ambitious scientists can excel. You can explore our research activities in this short video.

Job Description

Despite significant progress, several key challenges remain open in the development of next-generation intelligent photonic systems. Addressing these challenges defines a set of promising research directions that goes from the development of mature hybrid-integrated active–passive photonic platforms to the systematic exploitation of physical parallelism, from the realization of stronger all-optical nonlinearities and scalable synaptic devices to the design of efficient photonic memory architectures to support neuromorphic training functions. Further, High-efficiency neuromorphic photonics will require the convergence of neuromorphic computing and deep learning on photonic hardware, the development of optically informed algorithms that explicitly account for noise and limited precision inherent to photonic systems, and stronger coupling to real-world application layers through system-level demonstrators.  

Therefore, within this positio,n you will take a holistic approach that considers not only individual components (e.g., emerging materials and devices) but also their interaction at the system level — encompassing architecture, electronic integration, algorithms, and end-use applications.

As Assistant Professor in Photonic Neural Networks, you will:

• Develop an independent research program in hybrid neuromorphic photonics, spanning the full protocol stack — from physical-layer innovation and hybrid integration (optics, photonics, electronics, novel materials) to higher-layer network optimization, inference, and training in real time.
• Investigate novel architectures such as hybrid network topologies, neural network mapping in the optical domain, spiking (and non) encoding and strategies to address photonic engine noise, limited resolution, and system-level robustness.
• Translate research into applications in emerging domains including digital twins, autonomous vehicles, augmented reality, edge computing, extreme data processing, computational science, real-time predictions.
• Initiate and lead collaborations with ECO members and within TU/e and with national and international academic and industrial partners, driving multidisciplinary projects and sector plan initiatives.
• Secure funding and disseminate results by writing competitive research proposals, acquiring public and private funding, and publishing internationally leading work in high-impact journals.
• Contribute to education and mentorship by developing and teaching courses in the Electrical Engineering Bachelor’s and Master’s programs, obtaining a University Teaching Qualification, and supervising BSc, MSc, EngD, and PhD students and PDs.

Your research will play a central role in the photonic systems activities at the TU/e Casimir Institute, contributing to sustainable, high-performance communications and computing infrastructures. This inherently interdisciplinary work offers opportunities for collaboration, bridging fundamental advances with practical application demonstrators.

In this role, you will contribute to the ambition of the Beethoven program to educate top talent and strengthen research across the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Job Requirements

• Motivated researcher with a PhD in Electrical Engineering, Photonic Engineering, Applied Physics research or a comparable domain.
• Ability to conduct high-quality academic research in the field of photonic integrated neural networks reflected in demonstratable outputs.
• Good understanding of neural network algorithms and applications.
• Motivated to teach, contribute to teaching processes, and to develop excellent teaching skills. Ability to teach and inspire students, with proven teaching experience or strong potential.
• Proven ability to collaborate in multidisciplinary and international research environments.
• Interest in transferring academic knowledge to industry and societal applications.
• Effective communication and leadership skills, including coaching and mentoring of students and staff, leading a project or chairing a group.
• Excellent (written and verbal) proficiency in English.

Conditions of Employment

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. For a junior Assistant Professor this is (scale 11) min. € 4,728 max. € 6,433 gross per month (on a full-time basis).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• A dedicated mentoring program to help you get to know the university and the Dutch (research) environment.
• A Development Track with the prospect of becoming an Associate Professor. If you have a more senior profile, a tailor-made career proposal will be considered.
• High-quality training programs for academic leadership and teaching.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• Partially paid parental leave and an allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team is available for international candidates, as are a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) and partner career support.

About us

Eindhoven University of Technology is a leading international university within the Brainport region where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community.

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager Patty Stabile, Associate Professor at TU/e, r.stabile@tue.nl  or +31 40 247 5387.

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact Thomas Slegers, Senior Recruiter, via t.slegers@tue.nl or +31 6 14835214.

Curious to hear more about what it is like as a professor at TU/e? Please watch the video.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references. Kindly note that we may reach out to references at any stage of the recruitment process. We recommend notifying your references upon submitting your application.
• Description of your scientific interests and plans (1-2 pages).
• Statement of your teaching goals and experience (1-2 pages).

Ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. Please note that incomplete applications may not be considered and could be rejected.

Recruitment process:

We look forward to receiving your application at the latest February 27 24:00h CET, 2026. The recruitment process will include the following sequential selection rounds:

• Online interviews with the selection committee.
• Candidates’ day on our campus, including interviews and introduction program to get to know the group, the department and our university and a formal interview with a Recruitment Advisory Committee.

Please note 

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. 
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check, please consult the National Knowledge Security Guidelines.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.