Project Officer (Single-Photon Imaging System)

Join Our Team at Centre for Disruptive Photonic Technologies, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

A Project Officer position is currently available at the Centre for Disruptive Photonic Technologies (CDPT), School of Physical & Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore.

The Project Officer will support the development of single-photon imaging and LiDAR systems based on superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs). The role will focus on system-level integration, measurement, electronics control, FPGA-based data acquisition/processing, and laboratory testing of single-photon detector setups for imaging and LiDAR applications. The Project Officer will contribute to the development and improvement of SNSPD-based experimental platforms by supporting optical/electronic setup operation, low-noise signal acquisition, timing/synchronization workflows, readout and control electronics, and data analysis. The role will also involve assisting senior researchers with device assembly, detector testing, system benchmarking, and, where required, basic fabrication- or packaging-related tasks under supervision.

As an integral part of the project, the Project Officer is expected to support the development, operation and improvement of SNSPD-based imaging and LiDAR experimental setups, including detector signal acquisition, synchronization, timing extraction, time-tagging/TCSPC-related workflows, triggering, control electronics, and system-level troubleshooting. The role includes implementing or modifying FPGA-, microcontroller- or computer-based control and data-acquisition routines; supporting ADC/DAC, SPI/CMOS, digital I/O, timing and low-noise interface development; and assisting in real-time or near-real-time processing of detector signals where required.

The Project Officer will also support detector setup improvement and integration, including PCB-level testing, cable/interconnect management, readout electronics, low-noise shielding/grounding, packaging-related assembly, and basic fabrication or device-processing tasks under supervision where required by the project. The role further includes assisting with optical and optoelectronic setup alignment, operation and maintenance, including lasers, photodiodes, fiber components, scanning/imaging subsystems, LiDAR components, microscope-related equipment, timing instruments and laboratory control software.

The Project Officer will be expected to operate and maintain research laboratories, including advanced microscopy and spectroscopy equipment, in compliance with safety and laboratory protocols; perform data analysis, simulation and documentation using Python, Matlab or relevant tools; prepare measurement summaries, technical reports, experimental logs and figures for internal project review and publications; participate in joint research with CDPT partners; and contribute to progress reports, project meetings, research discussions, and day-to-day support of research fellows, students and collaborators working on the project.

Key Responsibilities:

The Project Officer will be required to:

• Support the development, operation and improvement of SNSPD-based imaging and LiDAR experimental setups, including detector signal acquisition, synchronization, timing extraction, time-tagging/TCSPC-related workflows, triggering, control electronics, and system-level troubleshooting.

• Implement FPGA-, microcontroller- or computer-based control and data-acquisition routines; supporting ADC/DAC, SPI/CMOS, digital I/O, timing and low-noise interface development; and assisting in real-time or near-real-time processing of detector signals where required.

• Support detector setup improvement and integration, including PCB-level testing, cable/interconnect management, readout electronics, low-noise shielding/grounding, packaging-related assembly, and basic fabrication or device-processing tasks under supervision where required by the project.

• Assist with optical and optoelectronic setup alignment, operation and maintenance, including lasers, photodiodes, fiber components, scanning/imaging subsystems, LiDAR components, microscope-related equipment, timing instruments and laboratory control software.

• Perform data analysis, simulation and documentation using Python, Matlab or relevant tools; preparing measurement summaries, technical reports, experimental logs and figures for internal project review and publications.

• Participate in joint research with other CDPT partners and cooperating parties and to support CDPT projects requiring fabrication, assembling and testing of the devices.

• Operating and maintaining research laboratories in compliance with safety and laboratory protocols, including assisting with equipment inventory, setup documentation and routine laboratory organization.

• Contributing to progress reports, project meetings, research discussions, and day-to-day support of researchers, project officers, students and collaborators working on the project.

Job Requirements:

• Applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, Optical/Photonics Engineering, or closely related disciplines.

• Applicants must have relevant hands-on experience in electronics, embedded systems, digital hardware, FPGA or microcontroller-based control, data acquisition, or instrumentation engineering.

• Applicants should have competence in programming and/or hardware description languages, preferably Python, Verilog, C, Matlab, TCL or related tools.

• Applicants preferably should have experience with FPGA development tools, PCB design/layout, ADC/DAC interfaces, serial communication protocols, digital signal processing, control loops, or low-noise electronic measurement.

• Applicants preferably should have exposure to optical, laser, photodiode, fiber-optic, imaging, LiDAR, or optoelectronic systems.

• Experience with Xilinx/Lattice FPGA platforms, Vivado/Vitis, KiCad/Altium, LTspice, optical simulation tools or laboratory test equipment will be advantageous.

• Prior experience with SNSPDs, cryogenic measurements, optical alignment, nanofabrication or cleanroom processes is not required, but willingness to learn and support these activities under supervision is expected.

• Applicants should show strong communication and interpersonal skills; ability to work both independently and within a collaborative research team.

NTU seeks a diverse and inclusive workforce and is committed to equality of opportunity. We welcome applications from all and recruit on the basis of merit, regardless of age, race, gender, religion, marital status and family responsibilities, or disability.

We regret to inform that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

Hiring Institution: NTU