Research Engineer – MetaOptics (all genders) // Job-ID: 136-1

Your future responsibilities

• Lead the design, fabrication, and technological advancement of metaoptics, wafer-level optics, and photonic MEMS, from initial concept to prototype development.
• Perform metaoptics and wafer-level optics fabrication using cleanroom facilities.
• Design, execute, and analyze DOE to enhance device performance.
• Execute small-scale fabrication and prototyping for metaoptics, wafer-level optics and photonic MEMS devices, including lithography, nanoimprint lithography, thin film deposition, and etching, utilizing 200 mm wafer-level technology.
• Perform testing of developed metaoptics and wafer-level optics.
• Conduct quality control and document data for statistical process control.
• Communicate and report research findings to both scientific and non-scientific audiences.
• Publish research results in scientific conferences and journals.

Your profile

• Master's degree with a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience, or a PhD in fields such as nanophotonics, electrical engineering, physics, or related disciplines.
• Demonstrated expertise in hands-on layout design using tools like K-layout, LayoutEditor, GDSfactory (or similar Python-based GDS layout software).
• Extensive experience in nano- and microfabrication within cleanroom environments, with a focus on metaoptics and wafer-level optics.
• Familiarity with nanoimprint lithography.
• Experience in nanophotonics/metaoptics and ray-tracing simulations is advantageous.
• Bonus points for experience in optical lab characterization.
• Proficiency in English is required; knowledge of German is an asset.
• Strong team player with excellent communication skills.
• Willingness to relocate to Austria/Villach.

Important Facts about SAL

• Diverse research activities with many technical challenges.
• State-of-the-art laboratory facilities and equipment. 
• Location in the heart of Europe in Austria – relocation support for non-European nationalities.
• Internal and external training opportunities for career development.
• Home office in Austria (max. 40%) and work from anywhere in the European Union possible (< 25%).
• Family & children friendly - actively shaping the compatibility of family and career.
• “Vital4SAL” to promote a healthy workplace (e.g. SAL coaching pool, trainings on mental health, physical activities, healthy snacks, 24/7 accident insurance)
• € 4 per day meal allowance in restaurants or € 2 per working day in supermarkets.
• Public transport initiative (subsidy for the “Klimaticket”)
• Our values: Open door policy, flexibility in working hours, casual dress code, diverse teams, working with people of different nationalities, informal communication, lifelong learning, compatibility of family and career, sustainability, personal growth, and collective advancement.

This position is subject to the Collective Agreement for employees in non-university research (Research CA) starting in occupational group E (E1 salary = EUR 3.827, paid 14 times a year) based on 38,5 hours per week). For this position we offer competitive salaries and additional benefits based on your experience and qualifications, starting with a minimum gross salary of EUR 61.000 (annual, based on an All-in contract).

About us
Silicon Austria Labs (SAL) is a top research center for Electronics and Software Based Systems (ESBS). At three locations (Graz, Villach, Linz), SAL is conducting research along the entire ESBS value chain in the areas of sensor systems, power electronics, intelligent wireless systems, microsystems and embedded systems to develop future-oriented solutions for industrial production, health, energy, mobility, safety and more. SAL brings together key players from industry, science and research and thus valuable expertise and know-how and conducts cooperative, application-oriented research along the value chain. Cooperative projects are co-financed by SAL and enable a fast and unbureaucratic project start. SAL is thus shaping the high-tech location Austria and Europe and developing the future  Innovation is our top priority and so are our employees. We are a family-friendly company and support the compatibility of work and family as much as possible. That is why we have been awarded the Work and Family Certificate until 2026. But we are constantly working on new measures to offer our employees an environment where they feel good, healthy and motivated.
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