Are you passionate about quantum technologies and eager to further develop a Rydberg atom quantum computing platform as a 24/7 user-facility, in the context of the Flagship program EuRyQa? Join us! The overall objective of EuRyQa is to establish Rydberg quantum processors as a leading platform for scalable quantum computing. We develop and bring together the technology for realizing deep quantum circuits from four complementary European platforms, provide Europe-wide benchmarking on concrete computational problems and the next crucial steps towards fault-tolerant quantum computing.

Job Description

Our platform for hybrid quantum computing and quantum simulation is formed around a quantum co-processor, with qubits based on ultracold atoms. We operate both a rubidium and strontium-based testbed. With optical tweezers these atoms are held in a lattice configuration with good controllability and readout. With excitation to Rydberg states, strong nearest-neighbor coupling can be realized, giving rise to multi-qubit entanglement. This platform is very suitable for specific tasks such as hybrid algorithms for quantum chemistry problems. The goal for the platform is a robust setup to contain single atoms reliably in optical tweezers, with excellent single- and multi-qubit control. The setup aims for high stability to make it suitable for 24/7 online access. More information: www.tue.nl/rydbergQC.

Concretely, the candidate will focus on:

• Experiments for characterization, calibration and operation of Rydberg atom-based quantum computer.
• Utilize the Rb clock transition as qubit for long coherence times of >100ms.
• A complete and scalable quantum instruction set optimized for large qubit arrays.
• Employment of pulse-optimized multi-qubit gates that reduce the overall gate time (using intensity- and frequency-shaped laser pulses).
• Implementation of quantum error correction protocols optimized for Rydberg QCCollaboration between experimental and theoretical groups and industry partners to achieve the best performance.

Concretely, the selected candidate will focus on the qubit-hardware side of this project, specifically on the role of the Rydberg excitation and the nature of the interaction between the rubidium atoms, the scheme for multi-qubit entanglement, and the overall suitability for pulse-based and hybrid Variational Quantum Eigensolver problems. Different aspects of the platform will be characterized and optimized such as Rabi oscillations for single-qubit operations, Rydberg excitation for multi-qubit gates. The Rb setup is based on a MOT and contains specific optical elements such as two microscope objectives, a spatial light modulator that controls the tweezer array and AODs for atom rearrangement.

The selected candidate will work together with several PhD candidates, fellow postdocs/quantum engineers, MSc students and the PI's within the ultracold atom team at QT/e that works with both Sr and Rb setups. Moreover they will collaborate with the ultracold strontium lab at the UvA in Amsterdam, other partners within the Eindhoven Hendrik Casimir Institute and the wider quantum research network in the Netherlands. The work will be carried out in the Center for Quantum Materials and Technology (QT/e) within the CQT research group.

• A master's degree (or an equivalent university degree) in the field of experimental physics, preferably with knowledge on cold atoms, lasers/optics and quantum computation.
• A research-oriented attitude.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team and interest in collaborating with industrial partners.
• Motivated to develop your teaching skills and coach students.
• Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level).

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate evaluation (go/no-go) after nine months. You will spend 10% of your employment on teaching tasks.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. €2,770 max. €3,539).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.