Ph.D. Intern

About the Role

Marvell's Ph.D. Intern Program places doctoral candidates directly inside active design and research efforts focused on silicon photonics and optical communications. Projects are selected at the intersection of Marvell's engineering challenges and doctoral research in photonics, signal processing, and device physics. This role offers the experience of seeing research become working optical silicon deployed at scale within AI infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, simulate, and characterize silicon photonics components and subsystems (modulators, photodetectors, waveguides, optical engines) for integration into PAM4 and coherent transceiver platforms.
• Develop and validate DSP algorithms for high-speed optical links, including equalization, FEC, and signal integrity techniques for PAM4 and coherent modulation formats.
• Perform optical system modeling and link budget analysis for data center interconnect, co-packaged optics, and near-packaged optics applications.
• Collaborate with analog IC design, packaging, and systems engineering teams to integrate photonic and electronic components.
• Characterize and validate designs in the lab using high-speed test equipment, optical measurement tools, and silicon bring-up setups.
• Participate in a structured design curriculum and present research findings and design results to the engineering team.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Ph.D. program enrollment in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related field.
• Research focus in photonics, optical communications, or high-speed signal processing.
• Hands-on research experience in one or more of the following:
• Silicon photonics device design and simulation
• Optical transceiver systems
• Coherent or direct-detect optical communications
• DSP algorithm development for high-speed links
• Strong fundamentals in photonics and electromagnetics (waveguide theory, modulator physics, photodetector design, optical link analysis).
• Proficiency with simulation and modeling tools such as FDTD, MODE, Lumerical, MATLAB, or equivalents.
• Ability to clearly communicate research findings and design tradeoffs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with PAM4 or coherent modulation formats, FEC, or DSP equalization techniques for optical links.
• Familiarity with silicon photonics fabrication processes and design-for-manufacturing considerations.
• Exposure to co-packaged optics, near-packaged optics, or optical engine integration.
• Lab experience with high-speed optical or electrical test and measurement equipment.
• Familiarity with analog IC design or mixed-signal circuits relevant to optical transceiver front-ends (TIAs, laser drivers, modulators).

Compensation and Benefits

• Expected Base Pay Range (USD): $37 - $73 per hour.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Perks and discounts.
• Robust mental health resources.
• Paid holidays.
• Additional compensation may be available.