UK Residency Programme - Optical Communications Researcher

Overview At Microsoft Research in Cambridge we are shaping optical interconnects that deliver power-efficient and reliable optical I/O links. We are seeking a researcher to join our team and help invent the next generation of optical interconnects. The successful applicant will be working with researchers and partner engineering teams on next-generation optical I/O for AI infrastructure. Current mainstream interconnect technologies face a fundamental trade-off: copper links are power-efficient and reliable but limited in reach, while optical links extend reach but often increase power and reduce reliability. Our program explores a new approach based on a “wide-and-slow” architecture (many parallel, lower-rate channels) to break this trade-off and enable scalable, manufacturable optical I/O. This is a unique opportunity for an exceptional researcher to work in a leading industrial research environment, collaborating closely with world-class researchers at Microsoft and engineering partners across the ecosystem. The residency is a two-year fixed term contract. Responsibilities Plan and conduct research to understand the parameters affecting component-level performance in active and passive optical subsystems in novel optical I/O links. Design and build analysis pipelines to draw robust conclusions from experimental data Model optical and optomechanical subsystems to enable both understanding of experimental results and prediction of future performance Propose, design and build new lab-based optical systems to test optoelectronic devices and passive optical components, including redesign of existing setups for increased automation Collaborate with optics, electronics and systems experts to build an understanding of the end-to-end system and the system-level consequences of component-level design decisions, defining and updating component-level test requirements as required Collaborate with external suppliers to help define the component specifications, inputting as necessary on external design, development, and characterisation efforts Qualifications Required/Minimum Qualifications: PhD in Physics, Photonics, Optical Engineering, Optical Communication or a related field, with publications in leading journals and conferences Strong background in optical and optomechanical design Proficiency in data analysis and test automation using software tools, e.g. Python Extensive hands-on experience in testing optics Perferred Qualifications: Experience collaborating with external suppliers and/or industry partners Experience characterising optical fibres Experience in design and implementation of optoelectronic devices This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.