Postdoctoral Researcher in Hollow-Core Fiber Transmission and Sensing - 18-month Fixed-Term Contract

Who are we?

Télécom Paris, an IMT (Institut Mines-Télécom) school and founding member of Institut Polytechnique de Paris, is a leading engineering school among the top 6 generalist engineering schools in France.

The raison d'être of Télécom Paris is to educate, innovate, and undertake to design digital models, technologies, and solutions for the benefit of a society and economy that respects people and their environment.

We are looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher in Hollow-Core Fiber Transmission and Sensing to join the COMELEC department at Télécom Paris.

Hollow-Core Photonic Crystal Fibers (HCPCFs) have recently reached a major technological milestone, with propagation losses as low as 0.1 dB/km at 1550 nm, comparable to or even lower than standard telecom fibers [1-2]. With light propagating primarily in air, HCPCFs offer a reduced latency of 30-40%, ultra-low dispersion, and negligible optical nonlinearities. These unique properties make them particularly promising technologies for next-generation telecommunication systems, long-distance Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), and distributed sensing applications.

The proposed project aims to develop and demonstrate the next generation of hollow-core photonic crystal fibers (HCPCFs) for high-speed data transmission and sensing applications. The propagation of light in air rather than glass allows HCPCFs to offer reduced latency and negligible optical nonlinearities compared to silica fibers, thus addressing some of the major challenges of future data centers and optical networks. Our ambition is to demonstrate 400 Gbit/s transmission over several kilometers using fiber samples from new architectures, and to study the potential of these HCPCFs for sensing applications. Achieving these objectives requires meeting demanding specifications for single-mode guidance, polarization control, as well as low bend and coupling losses.

Two complementary teams will jointly supervise this work: GPPMM, internationally recognized for its HCPCF design and fabrication activities [3-5], and GTO, a leader in the demonstration of high-speed optical communication and sensing systems [6-8]. An iterative process between fiber fabrication and system-level characterization will ensure that their properties meet operational requirements for transmission and sensing. Methodologically, the project will combine numerical modeling, characterization, and experimental validation in the C-band. The modeling and signal processing methods developed at GTO for polarization tracking will contribute to evaluating and optimizing the transmission performance of HCPCFs designed and characterized at GPPMM.

About the PLEIADES project

The PLEIADES project is part of the PEPR 'Future Networks' program, funded by the ANR, and brings together a consortium of 14 partners. One of the work packages focuses on next-generation hollow-core fibers and brings together several academic laboratories, including LTCI, XLIM, and PHLAM.

Your main responsibilities will be to:

• Conduct research activities in the field of photonics

• Undertake supervision and mentoring responsibilities

• Contribute to the reputation of the School, Institut Mines-Télécom, and Institut Polytechnique de Paris

You hold a PhD or equivalent in electrical engineering, communications, photonics, signal processing, or a related field. You have solid knowledge in optical transmission systems and networks as well as in digital signal processing (DSP) applied to communication systems or optical fiber sensors. Proficiency in MATLAB and/or Python for DSP algorithm development will be appreciated. You show a strong interest in applied research and are comfortable in a multicultural environment, particularly for supervising interns and/or students. Good command of English is essential. You also have good interpersonal and pedagogical skills, a strong team spirit, and the ability to synthesize and communicate complex information.

Why join us?

You will work in a developing, pleasant, green, and accessible environment (especially for people with disabilities) just 20 km from Paris (RER B and C, proximity to major roads).

You will benefit from:

• 49 days of annual leave (paid vacation + RTT)

• flexible working hours (depending on departmental activity)

• teleworking 1 to 3 days/week possible

• 75% reimbursement of public transport passes

• Proximity to numerous sports facilities, concierge services, underground parking, on-site restaurant...

• Note: our social contributions are lower than in the private sector

Miscellaneous Information:
Application deadline: November 30, 2026

Job type: 18-month Fixed-Term Contract
Job description here
Salary: 36,000 euros gross/year

Our recruitment is based on skills, without distinction of origin, age, gender identity, or sexual orientation, and all our positions are open to people with disabilities.

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