PhD scholarship in Application of SiC Frequency Combs for Optical Communication Systems - DTU Electro

Within the project “Silicon carbide photonic integrated circuit (SiCPIC)”, funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and innovation Programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Grant Agreement No. 101227010, at DTU Electro, the Technical University of Denmark, we are seeking a candidate for a PhD position to research novel noise characterization techniques for SiC optical frequency combs targeting their application in optical communication systems, dual combs spectroscopy and fibre-sensing. 

The PhD student will participate in an international team, consisting of 15 PhD students at 5 universities and one company. The project has partners from five different EU countries. All, 15 PhD projects are within the overall theme of SiCOI devices and integration for applications in classic and quantum optical telecommunication, and optical sensing. 

This PhD project will take place at DTU Electro. Apart from the time at DTU there will be secondments of 6 months in total at Accelink Denmark and Politecnico Di Torino, Italy. There will also be common meetings with the other 14 PhD students in the doctoral network, including 3 training schools. 

As a participant of the project, the PhD student will become part of a team at DTU with expertise in digital signal processing methods, and machine learning methods for amplitude and phase noise characterization of optical frequency combs, recovery of dual-comb measurement signals and various phase demodulation techniques. The activities within the project will benefit from synergies with other projects in the group as well as with other activities at the department. The main supervisor will be Professor Darko Zibar, DTU Electro.

Responsibilities and tasks 
Research into novel methods for noise characterization and stabilization of SiC optical frequency combs. Research on integration of SiC combs in optical communication and sensing system.  The overall goal will be to devise strategies for quantum noise limited performance. Specifically, you will focus on the following areas:

• Subspace tracking and autoencoders for amplitude and phase noise characterization 
• Bayesian filtering 
• Building experimental set-ups for noise characterization
• Reinforcement learning strategies for comb generation 
• Optical communication and fibre-sensing experiments
• Maintenance of the GitHub repository for the developed code 
• Organizing and managing joint experiments with the collaboration groups

SiCPIC PhD student 

Qualifications
Candidates must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree in photonics or electrical engineering or applied physics or similar. Experience with machine learning, digital signal processing and experimental work is a plus.

Further obligations: The doctoral candidate (DC) is expected to travel to network partners under two secondments for a typical total duration of 6 months. Additionally, the DC is expected to participate in outreach activities including, but not limited to, YouTube videos, social media updates, participation in public events and campaigns, as well as dissemination to popular press. Furthermore, due to the mobility rules of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie program, the applicant must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Denmark for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date.

Approval and Enrolment 
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education. 

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. 

The period of employment is 3 years. The start date will be 1 January 2026, or according to mutual agreement.  

The minimum salary approximately equates to 49.578 € per year (pre-tax and social security), depending on the chosen candidate’s seniority.

The workplace is DTU Electro at the DTU Lyngby campus. 

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Prof. Darko Zibar (dazi@dtu.dk).

You can read more about DTU Electro at http://electro.dtu.dk/.

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.

Application procedure 
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 1 December 2025 (23:59 Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae 
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it. 

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.