Open Positions
*New position at the SUNLAB*
See below for details.
Equity and Diversity
SUNLAB recognizes that it is a basic right of every person to feel comfortable at work and reach their full potential within the workplace regardless of their experiences, origins and competencies. SUNLAB values equity and diversity and offers opportunity to all its employees. SUNLAB is committed to recruiting, hiring and investing in its staff in a fair and inclusive manner for the benefit all concerned parties. SUNLAB is a firm believer in diversity and equity to enable innovation, engagement, and performance.
Prospective Students and Postgraduates
SUNLAB is continuously looking for the best and brightest students from undergraduate through to postgraduate for research projects. Our research projects will be an opportunity to engage in a dynamic research environment, integrate into our research group, and introduce the student to the area of advanced photovoltaics and systems or gain an even deeper understanding of the field, depending on the background of the researcher. All highly-motivated students are encouraged to contact SUNLAB directly, whether or not a specific project is presently listed on our website. We always have new research projects in the pipeline, and therefore are always in need of great new students!
Undergrad Work-Study Program
We regularly pursue work-study positions for short- and long-term projects that are often best suited (but not limited) to second and third year undergraduate students. All highly-motivated students are encouraged to apply directly to posted work-study positions and/or contact SUNLAB directly, whether or not a specific project is presently available.
We strongly encourage and support all levels of SUNLAB members to apply for scholarships and funding opportunities. To learn more, please look at our funding opportunities page.
New Position at the SUNLAB: Designing Lasers Using AI
The SUNLAB at the University of Ottawa is announcing one position for a new graduate student.
The SUNLAB
The SUNLAB, Canada’s premier solar cell characterization research facility focusing on high performance devices and specializing in solar energy, optoelectronics, and photonics, was founded by Karin Hinzer in 2007. Housed at the Nexus for Quantum Technologies Institute at the University of Ottawa, it brings together physicists, engineers, chemists, and materials scientists in an interdisciplinary and collaborative environment.
Research Project
To achieve high-speed data transfer, modern telecommunication systems use semiconductor lasers to produce sharp signals at precise wavelengths. Multi-quantum well distributed feedback (MQW-DFB) lasers are one type of laser capable of producing these types of signals. These lasers use a grating structure to control the wavelength and linewidth of the laser light. With careful design of the laser grating these devices can produce the desired optical emission with a high degree of control.
Traditional optimization methods for laser design can be time-consuming and may not provide a good understanding of why a certain design outperforms another. This challenge is particularly apparent in the case of laser design where the number of parameters to consider is large. To combat this challenge, machine learning (ML) strategies can be implemented to reduce the dimensionality of the problem, more fully explore the range of possible designs, make connections between designs that might not be obvious, and reduce computational time in the long run.
The student will develop machine learning techniques to explore the design space of InP based MQW-DFB lasers with an aperiodic grating. The student will use commercial software to model the physics and performance of laser devices. These models will be validated against existing samples available through a partnership with research groups at the National Research Council of Canada (NRC). The student will use in-house tools written in Python to build a training database and a machine learning algorithm to produce optimized aperiodic grating designs for laser operation at 1550 nm. The student will work directly with researchers at the SUNLAB and the NRC. These researchers consist of experienced laser designers and machine learning experts who are available to provide their expertise to and guide the project. The student will have access to high-performance computing resources.
The ideal candidate will have an interest in machine learning and numerical physics. Experience programming in Python is considered an asset but is not required. The student will gain knowledge of III-V semiconductor physics, laser physics, numerical methods, and machine learning techniques.
Eligibility
To be considered for this position, the candidate must successfully apply for admission to the program of MASc or PhD in electrical engineering or physics at the University of Ottawa.
How to Apply
Send your CV and unofficial university transcripts to sunlabadmin@uottawa.ca and khinzer@uottawa.ca. In the subject line, indicate “New Position at the SUNLAB: Designing Lasers Using AI”. Only candidates retained for an interview will be contacted.
The SUNLAB embraces diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We are passionate about our people and committed to employment equity. We foster a culture of respect, teamwork and inclusion, where collaboration, innovation, and creativity fuel our quest for research excellence. While all qualified persons are invited to apply, we welcome applications from qualified Indigenous persons, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, women and LGBTQIA2S+ persons. The SUNLAB is committed to creating and maintaining an accessible, barrier-free work environment. The SUNLAB is also committed to working with applicants with disabilities requesting accommodation during the recruitment, assessment and selection processes.