Fully funded PhD candidate position in MSCA Doctoral Network MATCH

MATCH consortium is looking for outstanding and motivated Doctoral Candidates (DCs) with the skills, knowledge, and enthusiasm to develop innovative and breakthrough research in the field of multicore fibre (MCF) technology.

MATCH (Multicore Fiber - Applications and Technologies - Match) is a Marie Sklodowska-Curie doctoral network funded by the European Commission under the Horizon Europe. MATCH is committed to training the next generation of European researchers/engineers in MCF technologies and applications. MATCH will offer its DCs a comprehensive education encompassing the latest developments in MCF, component and subsystem design and implementation, and the practical engineering aspects of MCF-based systems and networks. With the collective expertise of all partners, MATCH stands as a unique consortium, poised to train a cohort of DCs with comprehensive and sound knowledge on MCF technology in Europe. Training of DCs will exploit multidisciplinary consortium expertise spanning design, modelling and simulation of photonic systems, sensor systems, signal processing and device manufacturing, development of machine learning algorithms, and design of optical communication networks or power consumption and energy saving. The synergies of MATCH consortium act together to enable the thirteen DCs to become the next worldwide senior fellow leaders on photonics networks and systems, with a clear understanding of intersectoral scientific fields ranging from optical fibre communication design and implementation, components fabrication, artificial intelligence, or techno-economic analysis, which represent qualified skills highly pursued by key technological players worldwide.

The consortium of MATCH doctoral programme represents a multidisciplinary and intersectoral team with vast experience in training and innovative research deployment. MATCH comprises some of the most renowned European universities, spanning across 6 different European countries. All these universities have high educational and research standards and suitable infrastructures to host and train DCs. The private sector is represented by 2 high-tech research institutes and 4 European cutting-edge companies with a strong position in the optical fibre communications and optical components segment.

The MATCH methodology includes cross-disciplinary methods and practical experience for all DCs by granting access to top laboratory and test-bed facilities in both host and secondment institutions within academia and industry.

The most talented candidates will be selected for advanced multidisciplinary and intersectoral research training.

Key Features of the PhD Positions:

• Multidisciplinary training: Training of DCs will exploit multidisciplinary consortium expertise spanning design, modelling and simulation of photonic systems, sensor systems, signal processing and device manufacturing, development of machine learning algorithms, and design of optical communication networks or power consumption and energy saving.
• Secondment activities: Each DC will experience at least two secondments, with at least one in a country different from that of the host institution. MATCH comprises a total of 32 secondment actions, of which 25 are hosted by academic partners and 7 by industrial partners.
• Personalized Career Development Plans: Each DC of MATCH network has a personalized training program established. The program describes the research training goals of the DCs, transferable skills to attain, collaboration with partners and engagement in MATCH outreach activities, publication in journals and international conferences, and opportunities for the DC's future career development. The career development plan will be adjusted to DC’s personal circumstances that may arise and updated along the Ph.D. programme.

DC6. Thesis Title: Few-Mode Multi-Core Fiber for SDM

Supervisors: Dr. K. Schuster (Heraeus Covantics), Dr. P. Roy (UNILIM)

https://www.heraeus-covantics.com/

Ultra-high-speed fiber optic telecommunications are now advancing into the era of multicore fibers (MCF) to satisfy the growing global demand for data transfer. Multiple spatial signal paths are utilized to further scale up data capacity beyond the limits of a standard fiber. This research aims to develop Few-Mode MCF, integrating two advanced Spatial Division Multiplexing (SDM) approaches, specifically the utilization of multiple cores along with the propagation of multiple modes within each core, to enhance data transmission capabilities. Starting from fiber modelling, a new fiber design will be developed scaling the spatial channel count while suppressing parasitic cross coupling. In the next steps, the fabrication of these new structures has to be implemented following the large-scale industrial approach at Heraeus. The developed fiber designs will be evaluated by experimental studies.

Planned secondment(s):

UNILIM: Prof. P. Roy M12-M21 (10 months duration) “MCF fabrication via Stack&Draw & FIFO application”

UST: Prof. G. Rademacher M30-M31 (2 months duration) “Characterization of Few-Mode MCF”

MATCH consortium is looking for outstanding and motivated Doctoral Candidates (DCs) with the skills, knowledge, and enthusiasm to develop innovative and breakthrough research in the field of multicore fibre (MCF) technology.

Education Level: Master’s degree or equivalent

Research Field: Physics

Research Field: Electrical Engineering

Research Field: Computer Science

Research Field: Applied Physics/Optics

Skills/Qualifications:

Applicants must be proficient in the English language.

Students nearing completion of their Master’s degree are encouraged to apply.