9 May 2025 / 15:00 - 16:15 CEST
Discover your career in photonics – Focus on PICs and Optical Communication
Online Event



This online session is aimed at students of engineering, telecommunications, and optics who are interested in exploring career opportunities in photonics, with a special focus on PICS and Optical Communications. A selection of companies and research centers will present their internship vacancies. The session will provide insights into the most challenging roles to fill and the key qualifications that candidates often lack. Its goal is to help late-stage students map out a career path in photonics, with a particular emphasis on opportunities in quantum technologies.

Agenda

15:00 – 15:05 Welcome words
15:05 – 15:15 VLC Photonics – Patricia Cembellin, HR Team
15:15 – 15:18 Q&A
15:18 – 15:28 STMicroelectronics – Sara Pellegrini, Communication and Academic Collaborations Manager
15:28 – 15:31 Q&A
15:31 – 15:41 Ligentec – Guillaume Gagnier, Director Finance and HR
15:41 – 15:44 Q&A
15:44 – 15:54  Jenoptik – Isabella Ostrowski, Recruiting Specialist
15:54 – 15:57 Q&A
15:57 – 16:07 Vanguard Automation – Laura Horan, Staff Engineer – Product Management Lead
16:07 – 16:10 Q&A
16:10 – 16:15 Conclusions and Next Steps

Speakers

HR Coordinator at VLC Photonics (a Hitachi Group Company), based in Valencia, Spain. She supports a multidisciplinary team of researchers and engineers working at the forefront of integrated photonics by fostering a people-first culture and implementing strategic HR initiatives. With a strong focus on employee engagement, operational efficiency, and talent development, she ensures that HR practices evolve in line with the demands of a fast-paced R&D environment.

Sara Pellegrini is the Imaging Communication and Academic Collaborations Manager at STMicroelectronics. She joined ST in 2006 as a Characterization and Modelling Engineer and progressed to Technology Manager and Advanced Photonics Pixel Architect.

Communication and Academic Collaborations Manager at STMicroelectronics

Guillaume Gagnier has been the CFO and HR Director at LIGENTEC SA, a leading provider of photonic integrated circuits in Lausanne, Switzerland, since 2022. A graduate of HEC Paris, he brings a wealth of knowledge in finance, entrepreneurship, and innovation from his previous roles at GEOSATIS and ValleyRoad Capital SA. Guillaume focuses on talent acquisition and organizational development and actively represents LIGENTEC at industry events, promoting the company's advancements and supporting its mission to shape the future of photonics.

Director Finance & HR at Ligentec

As HR Recruiting Specialist at JENOPTIK AG, Isabella Ostrowski keeps a close eye on which skills and topics are crucial for talent in the field of photonics. She is currently responsible for recruiting for the Semiconductor and Advanced Manufacturing division and, as a deputy, Biophotonics. Jenoptik is a global technology group operating in the photonics market. Our growth areas primarily include semiconductor technology, medical technology, metrology as well as smart mobility. Approximately 4,600 people worldwide work for the Jenoptik Group, which is headquartered in Jena, Germany.

Recruiting Specialist at Jenoptik

Laura Horan is responsible for leading Product Management at Vanguard Automation GmbH (a Mycronic company), based in Karlsruhe, Germany. With over a decade of professional experience in the UK and in Germany, she has a proven track record in developing innovative optical sensors and metrology solutions for the medical, automotive, and manufacturing industries. Laura received her PhD in physics from University College Cork, awarded for her work investigating the applications of Hollow Core Photonic Crystal Fibers at the Tyndall National Institute in Ireland, for which she was granted an IRCSET scholarship. She has authored several scientific papers and holds patents in optical sensors and metrology.

Staff Engineer, Product Management Lead at Vanguard Automation
Attendees

More attendees will be announced soon.

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Elisenda Lara
Elisenda Lara
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