Rmit

Photonics

ResearchAssistant,AIDrivenPhotonicsDesignEngineer

$81–81k Melbourne, Australia FULL TIME
Market Sentiment
HIGH DEMAND

Neural analysis suggests this role is
optimal for Mid+ candidates.

The Brief

“Research Assistant, AI Driven Photonics Design Engineer at Rmit. Skills: AI, Photonics, Machine Learning, Design. Develop photonic devices using AI. Design and optimise photonic devices”

Industry & Context.

Photonics
Problems you'll solve

Problem-solving abilities; Determine innovative solutions

Eligibility Requirements

Working with Children Check, National Police Check

What They're Looking For.

Must Have

Ph. D. degree in Optical engineering, Applied Physics, or Computer Science, Publication record in top-tier journals, demonstrating the application of machine learning to physical problems, Experience with surrogate modelling to replace computationally expensive simulations, Knowledge of lithography limitations and design-for-manufacturability (DFM), Problem-solving abilities for determining innovative solutions to the complex problems common to photonics design and fabrication, Attention to detail for ensuring precision in coding and model training – and enhancing the accuracy and reliability of AI modelling and data quality, Collaborative skills for working effectively with data scientists, software developers, and project managers, Adaptability, including a willingness to stay updated with the rapidly evolving field of frontier research and learn new techniques and technologies as they emerge, Communication skills for explaining technical project requirements, progress, and outcomes to non-technical stakeholders

Nice to Have

Experience with photonic design techniques and global optimisation algorithms (Genetic Algorithms, Particle Swarm, Gradient Descent), Experience implementing deep learning architectures relevant to physics, such as CNNs for image-based field prediction, Graph Neural Networks (GNNs), or Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs), Experience with integrated photonic device fabrication and light-matter interactions, Ability to generate alternative funding projects through effective liaison with industry and government

What You'll Do.

Develop photonic devices using AI

Design and optimise photonic devices

Build automated workflows

Link simulation tools with AI models

Accelerate device discovery

Apply computational methods

Identify high-performance structures

Account for fabrication limits

Contribute to software tools

Support rapid prototyping

Enable AI-driven design methods

How You'll Work.

Team & Collaboration

Work with product team; Work with colleagues; Work with project team leaders; Work with industry partners; Collaborate with data scientists; Collaborate with software developers; Collaborate with project managers

Communication Scope

Demonstrated high level of communication skills; Explain technical project requirements; Explain project progress; Explain project outcomes

Process & Methodology

Manage varying workloads, Respond to changing priorities

Full Job Description

## Overview: * **1 x full time, fixed term (2 years) position available in the School of****Science****within****STEM College** * **Salary Academic Level A ($80,755****\- $109,536) + 17% Superannuation** * **Based at the City, but may be required to work and/or be based at other campuses of the University** **About the Role** We are seeking an engineer to develop next-generation photonic devices using artificial intelligence, inverse design methods, and physics-based modelling. The role is embedded within the ARC E2Crop Hub and the Centre for Atomaterials and Nanomanufacturing (RMIT University), which focus on renewable energy systems, intelligent sensing, advanced materials, and nanoscale device technologies. The successful candidate will develop machine learning approaches (including generative models and physics-informed neural networks) to design and optimise integrated photonic devices and metasurfaces. This includes building automated workflows that link electromagnetic simulation tools with AI models to accelerate device discovery and performance optimisation. The role involves applying computational methods such as topology optimisation, adjoint techniques, and data-driven modelling to identify high-performance, manufacturable photonic structures while accounting for fabrication limits and multi-physics effects. You will also contribute to internal software tools that support rapid prototyping and enable broader research teams to use AI-driven design methods. The position offers access to advanced computational infrastructure and fabrication facilities, supporting research at the intersection of photonics, AI, and nanotechnology. **About You** * Deep understanding of waveguide optics, light-matter interaction, and plasmonics * Proficiency with electromagnetic simulation tools (e.g., Lumerical FDTD/MODE, COMSOL Multiphysics, Ansys HFSS, or Meep) * Familiarity with Photonic Integrated device design flow and foundry PDKs (Silicon Photonics, SiN, or III-V) * Str

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