Work Activities The
Photonic Forces group at AMOLF is looking for a PhD student to join our team working on nanomechanical systems in the quantum regime. Our group is fascinated by the ability of light to measure and control mechanical motion in new and powerful ways. In a new project, in collaboration with multiple European partners, we seek to investigate how phonons in mechanical resonators and waveguides can be used to mediate the coupling between silicon spin qubits. Such qubits are known to have exceptional coherence times. This, together with the advanced capabilities of silicon technology, make them an appealing platform for quantum computing and sensing. In this project, you will develop novel nanomechanical systems which could couple such qubits to each other, thereby addressing one of the main physical bottlenecks towards advancing this platform.
The project is at the interface of multiple fields: quantum physics, nano-engineering, and optomechanics. It has a highly experimental character, but features strong ties to the rich theoretical background.
Our group offers an open and collaborative environment in which we focus on hands-on learning and personal growth of all group members. We are looking for excited and talented students, who are eager to develop new skills and engage new experimental and theoretical challenges.
The fact that mechanical motion can couple to various types of forces makes it interesting to use acoustic waves at the nanoscale to mediate quantum information between different quantum systems. We aim to use state-of-art design and fabrication techniques to confine phonons to the smallest possible scales, and optimize their coupling to spin qubits in silicon. We involve optomechanical coupling and high-precision optical measurements to characterize our systems.
During your PhD, you will thus learn and employ all aspects of quantum acoustics research: from conceptual design and modelling to nanofabrication in the cleanroom, and from high-precision optical interferometry at cryogenic temperatures to writing papers and presenting your results at international conferences. You will collaborate closely with our project partners in Finland, on design and experiments.
Qualifications We seek an excellent candidate with a background in physics or nano-engineering, with relevant experience (preferably in quantum optics, photonics, (nano)mechanics or general AMO physics). You will need to meet the requirements for an MSc-degree, to ensure eligibility for a Dutch PhD examination. We strongly believe in the benefits of an inclusive and diverse workplace, and encourage people from all backgrounds to apply.
Work environment The
Photonic Forces team led by prof. Ewold Verhagen studies light-matter interactions at the nanoscale. We investigate the fundamental physics associated with such interactions, which are enhanced through optical field confinement in tailored nanophotonic systems, as well as the applications they allow. In particular, we study new ways to control both light and motion down to the quantum level in optomechanical systems. All projects in the group involve the use and development of advanced optical measurement techniques and nanofabrication, with extensive support from the group leader and AMOLF technical staff. Within the group as well as among the different groups at AMOLF, we have a strong focus on stimulating development of students in all professional aspects, as well as collaborations with other researchers at AMOLF and beyond. We strive to create a diverse and inclusive environment where passion and enjoyment of science can shine. For more information, see
www.optomechanics.nl and
www.amolf.nl.
Working conditions - The working atmosphere at the institute is largely determined by young, enthusiastic, mostly foreign employees. Communication is informal and runs through short lines of communication.
- The position is intended as full-time (40 hours / week, 12 months / year) appointment in the service of the Netherlands Foundation of Scientific Research Institutes (NWO-I) for the duration of four years
- The starting salary is 2.781 Euro’s gross per month and a range of employment benefits.
- After successful completion of the PhD research a PhD degree will be granted at Eindhoven University of Technology.
- Several courses are offered, specially developed for PhD-students.
- AMOLF assists any new foreign PhD-student with housing and visa applications and compensates their transport costs and furnishing expenses.
More information? Prof.dr. Ewold Verhagen
Group leader Photonic Forces
E-mail: verhagen@amolf.nl
Phone: +31 (0)20-754 7100
Application You can respond to this vacancy online via the button below.
Please annex your:
- Resume;
- Motivation on why you want to join the group (max. 1 page).
It is important to us to know why you want to join our team. This means that we will only consider your application if it entails your motivation letter.
Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis and as soon as an excellent match is made, the position will be filled.
Online screening may be part of the selection.Diversity code AMOLF is highly committed to an inclusive and diverse work environment: we want to develop talent and creativity by bringing together people from different backgrounds and cultures. We recruit and select on the basis of competencies and talents. We strongly encourage anyone with the right qualifications to apply for the vacancy, regardless of age, gender, origin, sexual orientation or physical ability.
AMOLF has won the NNV Diversity Award 2022, which is awarded every two years by the Netherlands Physical Society for demonstrating the most successful implementation of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI).
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