The Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) is one of the most dynamic university campuses in Europe and ranks among the top 20 universities worldwide. The EPFL employs 6,000 people supporting the three main missions of the institutions: education, research and innovation. The EPFL campus offers an exceptional working environment at the heart of a community of 16,000 people, including over 10,000 students and 3,500 researchers from 120 different countries.

R&D Engineer with CTO/CEO qualifications for leading technology transfer to a new startup

Your mission :

If you’re driven to discover, create, and inspire something that has technological impact, and have an ambition to become the person to launch and co-found a new startup that can shape future technology of autonomous driving and LiDAR, then LPQM could be your fit.Integrated photonics have over the past decade seen major growth and are already impacting modern technologies in the form of transceivers for data-center interconnect. At EPFL we have been part of the next generation of developments, and have pioneered (published and patented) ultra-low loss nonlinear integrated photonics, notably chip scale frequency combs, which have applications ranging from massively parallel coherent communication for datacenters, to ultra-fast coherent LiDAR for autonomous driving.



Within the framework of a funded tech transfer project, we are looking for an R&D engineer/scientist with industrial and/or academic experience, ideally to become CEO/CTO to lead the industrialization of our patented and award winning novel photonic integrated technology for use in LiDAR, with the aim of launching a spin-off.



The candidate’s role will be to participate in all aspects of the successful technology transfer to the startup, from the development of the laboratory demonstrator of the current stage of research prototype to a demonstrator that can be manufactured via foundry. The candidate will be responsible for integrated photonics design, packaging and the engineering of custom electronic, optical and mechanical solutions leading an internal team and external contractors, as well as participate in in-house and field-testing. Other key responsibilities include filing of new IP, scouting first customers and assistance in preparation of the startup financing and business plan.



EPFL has a campus-like environment situated on the shores of Lakes Geneva in Lausanne, Switzerland and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaborations, and reward excellence. LPQM hosts a unique infrastructure, with multi-million CHF investments in in-house laboratory-based testing, and in-house silicon photonics foundry.

Main duties and responsibilities include :

• Work with external foundries in the domain of ASICS, Photonics and Packaging


• Development of custom electronic and optical subsystem


• Assist with the business planning


• Actively contribute to transitioning the technology from the laboratory to a startup


• Participate in the photonic chip design and testing


• Involved in patent related matters

Your profile :

• Keen interest to become co-founder of a startup in the high-tech sector


• MSc or PhD in electrical engineering or physics


• Industrial experience is an asset


• Experience in one or more of the following areas is advantageous: III-V semiconductor lasers and optoelectronics, silicon photonics design, integrated electronics, RF engineering, optical/electrical packaging, system design, or MEMS


• Familiarity with key software, including CAD software, Python and MATLAB, SiP design tools


• Working experience on similar projects bringing the basic research technologies towards the market as well as system integration/ telecom technologies/LiDAR - is a plus


• Experience in business reports, financing, and startup scene or product development is an asset

We offer :

• Opportunity to become co-founder of a startup resulting from university tech transfer spin-off


• Work on next generation integrated photonics technology for LiDAR


• A remarkably well-equipped laboratory, including full in house electronic and optical testing, and in-house integrated silicon photonics foundry


• Join a laboratory PI with track record of successful startup launching


• A young, dynamic, flexible and highly motivated R&D environment


• Substantial R&D funds for prototype development


• Based in Switzerland – an ideal hub for high tech startups

We give preference to the candidate’s ability over area of specialization.

Start date :

immediately or to be defined Term of employment :

Fixed-term (CDD)Duration :

The initial appointment is at the university for a duration of max 1 year. The aim is the launch of a startup. Contact :

For additional information, please contact Prof. Tobias J. Kippenberg by email (tobias.kippenberg@epfl.ch)Remark :

Only candidates who applied through EPFL website or our partner Jobup’s website will be considered.apply online