Are you a eager to push quantum simulation to new levels in a lively, international research group? Our Strontium Quantum Gases Group is offering a PhD position on our RbSr project. Our group is headed by Prof. Florian Schreck and is part of the Quantum Gases & Quantum Information (QG&QI) cluster at the Institute of Physics (IoP) of the University of Amsterdam (UvA). We exploit ultracold Sr for quantum simulation, quantum sensing, and quantum computing. Our group is part of QuantumDelta NL, which brings quantum technology closer to applications by collaborating with industry, startups and users.

What are you going to do?
You will be exploring quantum physics with ultracold RbSr ground-state molecules [Science 357, 1002 (2017)]. Those molecules have a large electric dipole moment and a significant magnetic moment, which is in contrast to all other ultracold molecules created to date. These properties enable new ways to tune anisotropic long-range interactions by applying electromagnetic fields. We recently have created weakly-bound RbSr molecules and your first goal will be to transfer them into their absolute ground state using laser pulses. Next you will research how to master the interactions between molecules and use them for quantum simulations of long-range interacting many-body systems. Yet another intriguing research avenue is to explore strongly-interacting Rb-Sr Bose-Fermi mixtures, which bring beyond Hubbard-model lattice physics into reach by exploiting element-specific optical lattices.

You have:

• a master in experimental AMO physics, ideally using ultracold atoms or trapped ions;
• motivation to work with an ambitious and nice team in a challenging, but rewarding, research field;
• good command of English

A temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years). The preferred starting date is as soon as possible. This should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and master students.

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between € 2,541 to € 3,247 (scale P). This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:

• 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;
• multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
• a complete educational program for PhD students;
• multiple courses on topics such as leadership for academic staff;
• multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
• 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
• partly paid parental leave;
• the possibility to set up a workplace at home;
• a pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
• the possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;
• help with housing for a studio or small apartment when you’re moving from abroad.

Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here.

Faculty of Science

The University of Amsterdam is the Netherlands' largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 30,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity.

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

The Institute of Physics is situated in new, purpose-built laboratory and teaching space in the building of the Faculty of Science in the Science Park Amsterdam. This location also plays host to numerous national research institutes such as AMOLF (nanophotonics, biomolecular systems, photovoltaics), NIKHEF (Subatomic Physics) and CWI (mathematics and Computer Science), as well as ARCNL (Advanced Research Center for Nanolithography, which combines the leading Dutch tech firm ASML with both Amsterdam universities and AMOLF) and the Quantum Delta NL Ultracold Quantum Sensing Testbed.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.