In this project, you will work with a team of researchers in the SteeleLab to try to experimentally answer the question: is it possible to observe the effects of gravity on a quantum superposition of a heavy, mechanical object? To do this, you will be embedded in a team working on coupling mechanical resonators made from silicon nitride membranes to superconducting quantum microwave circuits. Based on a platform pioneered in the group, you will have the opportunity to design, fabricate, and assemble superconducting circuit chips to engineer quantum superpositions of the position of the membrane. Cooling the assembled chips to millikelvin temperatures, you will manipulate and probe the quantum state of the membrane, exploring previously inaccessible regimes of quantum physics. In the project, you have the opportunity to develop skills in superconducting device design, fabrication and measurement, gaining expertise and insight into high-Q superconducting cavities and high-coherence superconducting qubits. You will also develop skills and gain experience working with ultra-high Q mechanical resonators. The SteeleLab is motivated by curiosity-driven experimental research into topics in quantum physics and engineering. In the project, you will have the freedom to, and will be encouraged to, develop your own ideas, engage the team to help you implement them, and test them them using the advanced infrastructure available in the group.

Qualified candidates have a masters degree in Physics, electrical engineering, or a related field. Candidates should have covered quantum mechanics in their education. Experience or coursework covering the topics of superconducting quantum devices and nanomechanics.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2541 per month in the first year to € 3247 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation.

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Applied Sciences

With more than 1,000 employees, including 135 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,400 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century. To that end, we train students in broad Bachelor's and specialist Master's programmes with a strong research component. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of high school teachers and science communicators.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Applied Sciences.