PhD Scholarship in Computing Parallelism Enabled by Photonic Integrated Circuits Technical University of Denmark in Denmark

This PhD scholarship at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) offers an exciting opportunity to join the EU-funded MINDnet Doctoral Network, focusing on computing parallelism enabled by photonic integrated circuits. The project is hosted at DTU Electro, a leading department in electrical and photonics engineering, and is part of a collaborative network involving 15 PhD students across 7 universities, a research center, and two companies from eight EU countries. The overarching research theme is neuromorphic computing and analog signal processing, with applications in communication, sensing, geolocalization, space, and biomedical fields.

The successful candidate will work in a team with strong numerical and experimental expertise in photonic computing. The research will explore the benefits and limitations of photonic multiplexing for computing, with a focus on enhancing computing efficiency through parallelism (time-, frequency-, and mode-multiplexing) and photonic reservoir computing. The project will also address algorithmic parallelism, multi-tasking, and nonlinear equalization in optical signal transmission, comparing photonic and neuromorphic electronic approaches.

As part of the MINDnet network, the PhD student will participate in secondments of at least 3 months at the University of Pisa (Italy), Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute (Germany), and Spincloud (Germany). Regular meetings, training schools, and workshops with other network PhD students will provide a rich collaborative and training environment. Outreach activities, including social media, public events, and popular science dissemination, are also expected.

The main supervisor for this position is Associate Professor Francesco Da Ros. The position is fully funded by the Horizon Europe - MSCA program, offering a 3-year contract with a minimum base salary of DKK 29,691.75 per month, a PhD supplement, and pension contributions. The appointment is based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations.

Applicants must hold a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS) or equivalent and meet the Marie Skłodowska-Curie mobility rule (not having resided or carried out their main activity in Denmark for more than 12 months in the 36 months before recruitment). Proficiency in English is required. The scholarship is subject to academic approval and enrolment in a DTU PhD program. Applications are welcome from all qualified candidates regardless of background. Open-source background checks may be conducted due to research in critical technology.

To apply, submit your application online by 15 March 2026, including a cover letter, CV, grade transcripts, and BSc/MSc diploma (with grading scale) in a single PDF file. For further information, contact Assoc. Prof. Francesco Da Ros ([email protected]) or visit the DTU Electro website.