PhD fellow in Quantum Optomechanics

We are looking for highly motivated, excellent candidates with a master’s degree in physics or related fields, to advance our research in the field of quantum optomechanics.

Employment start date is 1 January 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Project description
The PhD project explores mechanical systems as components of hybrid quantum processors. A particular focus will lie on fabricating silicon nitride mechanical resonators which can act as quantum memory with unprecedented coherence time, i.e. for superconducting or spin qubits. The project furthermore comprises setting up and operating experiments to study the devices using optical and electronic techniques.

It is expected that the developed fabrication techniques will be used in a wider range of applications, including the monolithic fabrication of quantum chips, highly efficient microwave-to-optical transduces required for connecting future quantum computers to a larger quantum network, as well as new types of quantum and classical sensors.

We are looking for individuals enthusiastic to acquire, apply and advance their scientific skills within a dynamic international team. Experience with micro- and nanofabrication is a very welcome asset, as is knowledge of electronic and optical techniques commonly employed in the field of nanomechanics.

Our group and research- and what do we offer?
The work will be conducted in the Quantum Optomechanics group, which specializes in measurement, control and conversion of motional quantum states. This project will be carried out in collaboration with the newly established Novo Nordisk Foundation Quantum Computing Program (NQCP), whose mission is to develop materials and devices to enable fault-tolerant quantum computing hardware. Both groups are part of the Niels Bohr Insitute, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen. We are located in Copenhagen.

We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment. We operate state-of-the-art laboratories equipped for quantum electro- and opto-mechanics experiments, and enjoy access to top-notch fabrication facilities, both at the Niels Bohr Insitute and the Danish National Center for Micro- and Nanofabrication.

Principal supervisor isProf. Albert Schliesser, Niels Bohr Institute, [email protected]

The PhD programme - the regular PhD programme
Qualifications needed for the regular programme
To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project, e.g. physics or nanotechnology. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database

Terms of employment in the regular programme
Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.

Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

Responsibilities and tasks in the PhD programme

• Carry through an independent research project under supervision
• Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE
• Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad
• Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
• Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals
• Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project

We are looking for the following qualifications:

• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
• Relevant publications
• Relevant work experience
• Other relevant professional activities
• Curious mind-set with a strong interest in quantum and/or nano-technology
• Good language skills

Application and Assessment Procedure
Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include:

• Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
• Your motivation for applying for the specific PhD project
• Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
• Original diplomas for Bachelor of Science or Master of Science and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.
• Publication list (if possible)
• Reference letters (if available)

Application deadline:
The deadline for applications is 12 August 2024, 23:59 GMT +2.
We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

The further process
After deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified, whether you will be passed for assessment.

The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified and, if so, for which of the two models. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held in week 37 and 38.

Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.

General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School’s website:www.science.ku.dk/phd/

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.

Københavns Universitet giver sine knap 10.000 medarbejdere muligheder for at udnytte deres talent fuldt ud i et ambitiøst, uformelt miljø. Vi sikrer traditionsrige og moderne rammer om uddannelser og fri forskning på højt internationalt niveau. Vi søger svar og løsninger på fælles problemer og gør ny viden tilgængelig og nyttig for andre.

Info
Ansøgningsfrist: 12-08-2024

Ansættelsesdato: 01-01-2025

Arbejdstid: Fuldtid

Afdeling/Sted: Niels Bohr institutet