Lab Technician – Electro-Optical Communications group (ECO)

One of the main characteristics of the ECO group is its strong experimental focus. As such, almost all researchers in the group are working in physical labs with state-of-the-art equipment. In order to maintain, train and support the ever-changing student population a strong technical support team is needed. For the ECO group, two technicians are entrusted with providing this support. 

Job Description

A technician in the ECO group would ideally be able to assist students and staff with any technical challenge encountered. You will take an active role in ongoing research and will support the scientific effort and contribute to the research of principal investigators in the group.  The role includes support of the ECO group's activities with external entities such as European or national grants and industry where he or she will carry responsibility for deliverables in the projects. Furthermore, you will have contact with students from all the different labs and your expected to manage their time to support different research lines at the faculty of electrical engineering at TU/e. As a technician, you play a role in educational activities.

It is envisioned that the technical support team (2 FTEs) will be able to cover all required competencies needed as a team.

Below we list the job requirements, and the list of skills expected for the successful candidate(s). The technician should conform to many of the requirements below but above all should display curiosity and willingness to learn and grow in the fascinating, fast developing area of optical/Photonic/RF communications technologies to continue and increase his contribution to all research in the group in the coming years.

• Preferably a MSc in Electrical Engineering or Applied physics, or a comparable domain. Candidates with a BSc in same or related fields combined with extensive experience organizing and managing laboratories may also apply.
• Demonstrated track record in training junior staff in lab work, or other experience in instructional work.
• Experience and a strong background in some the following subjects is desired (with typically 2+ years of combined experience):
• Operation, organization and management of research laboratories.
• Construction of complex test set-ups and their maintenance.
• Operation and maintenance of complex optical/photonic/RF test and measurement apparatus.
• Technical documentation of equipment/software inventory, test procedures and test results.
• Telecommunication networks and their operation.
• Optical and fibre communications deployments.
• 3D modelling and fabrication of mechanical sub systems.
• FPGA programming and usage.
• Network management and control of complex software environments.
• Knowledge of photonic integration technology a plus
• Packaging of devices, including wire bonding and flip chip bonding.

• Ability to learn new skills and assume new responsibilities.
• Ability to work cooperatively in a team environment.
• Desire and affinity to work in an international academic research lab with PhDs, Postdocs and MSc students.
• Strong communication skills and a proactive attitude.
• Excellent proficiency (written and oral) in English.  

About us

The electro-optical communications (ECO) group in the faculty of electrical engineering has been leading the scientific and applied research into the use of light for communication systems for the past 40 years, in the Netherlands, Europe and the world. With deep connection with industry and academia around the globe, the ECO group offers new members an opportunity to become an integral part of research and innovation in the area of optical communications.

The ECO group is located in the FLUX building on the TU/e Campus overlooking a state-of-the-art cleanroom and supported by more than 300m^2 of labs for conducting experimental work. With 13 tenured scientists and as many as 100 PhD and Postdocs the ECO group is a vibrant and exciting research group. The staff and students are a predominantly international group of scientists from more than 10 nationalities. In this video you can get a short glimpse at the kind of research activities carried out in our group through short interviews with past students.

More information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact Dr. O. Raz, Chair of the ECO group at o.raz@tue.nl or +31 40 247 3521

For information about terms of employment, click here or contact
F. Verheggen HR Advisor, f.verheggen@tue.nl or +31 40 247 4796.

Are you inspired to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit www.tue.nl/jobs 

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the 'apply now'-button on this page.
The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae.

We do not respond to applications that are sent to us in a different way.

We look forward to your application and will screen it as soon as we have received it. Screening will continue until the position has been filled.  

If you wish to apply for this vacancy with a non-EU nationality you must have a valid residence permit that allows you to work in the Netherlands. If you are currently not in possession of a permit which allows you to work in the Netherlands and therefore an additional work permit would be required, it will be best to keep in mind that chances such a work permit will be granted are far from guaranteed. If you have any doubts regarding this, you can contact Staff Immigration Team (SIT) via staffimmigration@tue.nl for advice, so you will be able to make a better informed decision whether to apply for the vacancy or not.