PhD position in qubit hardware development and implementation for hybrid quantum computing

Are you passionate about quantum technologies and eager to further develop a Rydberg atom quantum computing platform as a 24/7 user facility for hybrid quantum comping? Join us! We are looking for a candidate that drives the qubit hardware development and implementation.

Information
At TU/e, the ultracold atom laboratory of CQT, part of the Center for Quantum Materials and Technology (QT/e), is developing neutral‑atom quantum computing platforms based on Rydberg interactions. This project is part of the KAT‑1 Quantum Delta NL program on hybrid quantum computing, a demonstrator built on Quantum Inspire, the European quantum computer that offers 24/7 online access.

The qubit hardware that we operate in our laboratories are two neutral‑atom quantum computing platforms (rubidium and strontium). Optical tweezer arrays provide programmable and precise control and site‑resolved single‑atom readout. Rydberg excitation enables strong nearest‑neighbor coupling for multi‑qubit entanglement. The architecture is highly scalable to large qubit counts via array reconfiguration, atom shuttling, and parallel control—offering a promising route to fault‑tolerant quantum computing. The platforms are built for stable, continuous operation with 24/7 online access for community use. More information: www.tue.nl/rydbergQC.

Concretely, the candidate will focus on:

• Development of the qubit hardware for fast and robust operation of our strontium-based quantum processor unit
• Employment of pulse-optimized multi-qubit gates that reduce the overall gate time (using intensity- and frequency-shaped laser pulses)
• Development of a complete and scalable quantum instruction set optimized for large qubit arrays and application of initial quantum simulation use cases
• Implementation of quantum error correction protocols optimized for Rydberg quantum computers to achieve the best performance

The selected candidate will work together with several PhD candidates (other vacancy available here), 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 KAT-1 collaboration as well as the Casimir Institute and the wider QDNL 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 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 assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment.
• 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. € 3,059 - max. € 3,881).
• 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.

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the project leader and scientific director of QT/e Servaas Kokkelmans, s.kokkelmans@tue.nl.

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact Suzan van Dongen, project manager Quantum Computing, e.m.w.m.v.dongen@tue.nl.

Curious to hear more about what it’s like as a PhD candidate at TU/e? Please view the video.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.