Research Fellow (Thermal photonics, Nanophotonics, Metasurface physics, Chiral photonics)
University-Level Unit: College of Design and Engineering
Faculty/Department-Level Unit: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Employee Category: Research Staff
Location: Kent Ridge Campus
Posting Start Date: 26/03/2026
Job Description
This work focuses on exploring novel physical mechanisms in nanophotonic structures and their applications in controlling thermal emission. The position involves the theoretical design, fabrication, characterization, and testing of thermal emitters based on new nanostructures. The main objectives include:
- Exploring novel physical mechanisms and topological protection properties in nonlocal metasurfaces: Controlling the reflection topology of the structure to achieve narrowband thermal emission with near-unity emissivity and topological robustness, providing new approaches for unconventional manipulation of thermal light, with potential applications in thermal management and thermal camouflage.
- Designing dual-layer or multi-layer waveguide-coupled metasurfaces in the mid-infrared range: Realizing rainbow-free, polarization-selective coherent thermal emission to enhance collection efficiency. Advanced micro/nanofabrication techniques (e.g., electron-beam lithography, reactive-ion etching, and electron-beam evaporation) and infrared spectral characterization will be employed to evaluate the performance of the structures.
- Combining anisotropic structures with temperature-tunable thermo-optic materials and phase-change materials (PCMs): Enabling dynamic polarization control at a single frequency in a single thermal emitter. Further studies will investigate the effects of symmetry breaking and non-Hermitian control on polarization manipulation and full Poincaré sphere coverage, providing new pathways for dynamic thermal management, infrared detection, and energy conversion.
- Developing mid-infrared photonic devices using geometric phase, diffractive optics, and other techniques: Enhancing emission power through coherent thermal emission focusing and other device designs. These novel coherent thermal emitters are being developed for practical applications, including replacing miniature bulbs in conventional nondispersive infrared (NDIR) systems and enabling efficient detection of gases, molecules, and other target substances. Additionally, high-performance circularly polarized thermal emitters are being explored to distinguish between different isomers.
Considering the above research targets, the candidate should possess in-depth theoretical and experimental expertise and interdisciplinary knowledge in thermal photonics, nanophotonics, chiral photonics, nonlocal metasurface physics, phase-change materials and related fields. Candidates with practical experience in designing, fabricating and characterizing multifunctional thermal emission devices is preferred.
Job Requirements
- A PhD degree in Optics, Physics or related fields, with a strong background in coherent thermal emission, metasurface physics, and chiral photonics.
- Work experience and knowledge in the fields of thermal photonics, nanophotonics, material growth, and nanofabrication.
- Mathematical and specialized knowledge required in thermal photonics, electromagnetic theory of nanophotonics, and optical coherence theory.
Technical proficiency: 1) Experience in numerical modeling and analysis of photonic devices using appropriate software. 2) Design and optimizatio
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