Head of Research Unit - Photonic Systems

Head of Research Unit - Photonic Systems

SAL - Silicon Austria Labs

Villach, Austria

From € 85.000 up to € 120.000 per year

Silicon Austria Labs (SAL) is seeking a Photonic Systems expert to lead the established Photonic Systems Research Unit within the Sensor Systems Division at SAL in Villach.

We are looking for an experienced professional with a proven track record of scientific achievement and project management, as well as significant leadership experience.

Your future tasks include:

Leadership responsibilities:

• Management and further development of the research unit Photonic Systems in the division Sensor Systems;
• Corporate and profit responsibility;
• Staff responsibility for the research group including scientific support and supervision of researchers;
• Ensuring interdisciplinary cooperation across divisions and units withing SAL;
• Project initiation and management;
• National and international partner acquisition and network support;
• Shaping the division research program and project portfolio together with supervisors and peers;
• Growing the research unit towards research excellence and economic impact.

Scientific responsibilities:

• Significant contribution to the intellectual life and research of the unit;
• Shape and advance the definition, setup, and management of research projects;
• Provide direction and guidance to the research and engineering staff of the unit (from Quantum sensing to photonic macro sensors);
• Close cooperation and support of scientific and industrial project partners;
• Dissemination of research results in conferences and journals.

Your profile:

• A PhD degree in engineering or physics with demonstrated expertise in relevant areas like Optics, Photonics, Spectroscopy, Laser and/or Quantum Technology;
• Strong scientific track record in the relevant areas evidenced by peer-reviewed journal publications and invited talks at international conferences;
• Broad and strong industrial and academic network proven by joint collaborations, projects, and publications;
• In depth knowledge of ongoing research trends, the worldwide market and the European industrial ecosystem of photonic systems and their applications;
• Minimum 10 years of experience in project management of large international R&D projects with multiple partners;
• Demonstrated ability to lead funding acquisition, ideally beyond purely academic research programs, and to collaborate with the industry;
• Experience in Science Management;
• Management/team lead: 5 year team leadership/management. 10 years project management;
• Project experience, Budget responsibility, Strategy development: 5 years;
• Experience in which areas of the function: Team leadership of at least 5 members;
• Fluent in English (written & oral), German is a plus.