Two PhD positions in Experimental Quantum Physics

 


Please note: this vacancy is reposted as the hiring manager did not receive enough applications from qualified candidates during the initial posting.

Are you a highly-motivated student with excellent laboratory skills for performing state-of-the-art quantum physics experiments?

The strontium quantum gases group  has two PhD positions in Experimental Quantum Physics.

The group is headed by prof. Florian Schreck and is part of the Quantum Gases and Quantum Information (QG&QI) cluster at the Institute of Physics (IoP) of the University of Amsterdam (UvA). The main focus of the group is the exploitation of Sr quantum gases for novel precision measurement techniques and the study of many-body physics. We have two open PhD positions within our Innovative Training Network (ITN) MoSaiQC, which in this context are called early stage researchers (ESRs). This ITN trains 14 ESRs in 10 organizations from industry and academia. MoSaiQC is EU funded (project no. 860579) and a Marie SkÅ‚odowska-Curie Action.

You will participate in network meetings across Europe, where you will learn about quantum technology from experts in the field and train essential skills, such as academic writing and outreach. You will participate in a summer school on clocks and organize a conference together with the other ESRs. You will spend half a year in the lab of a partner in either Copenhagen, Torun or Birmingham. You will participate in outreach events. During the public days of UvA you can present your experiment in talks and labtours or present physics demonstration experiments that you have developed and built. You are encouraged to join teams at UvA that prepare special events for minority groups, which encompass for example guiding pupils to create holograms.

What are you going to do?

ESR1 - Compact atomic sources and beams for steady-state superradiant lasers 

Steady-state atomic beam sources are crucial to realizing superradiant clocks and beneficial for quantum sensing with ultracold atoms in general. We have developed a continuous beam of ultracold atoms of unprecedented brightness and phase-space density and can create steady-state Bose-Einstein condensates. This continuous source of atoms is one of the foundations of our attempts to develop continuous superradiant clocks within iqClock. The source we have developed so far is rather large and needs to be shrunk in size and complexity to enable more researchers to use them and to bring them out of the lab into the field. We are developing new concepts for generating ultra-cold strontium beams based on compact ovens, 2D MOTs, Grating MOTs and desorption cells. The starting point of ESR1's project will be to develop and compare a range of different technology approaches and to build and characterize the best approach. The ESR will then use the knowledge gained to advance our attempts to build continuous superradiant lasers and an atom laser. Another aspect of ESR1's work will be to develop advanced laser sources.

ESR2 - Precision laser stabilization and locking

The core of ESR2's project is to develop an ultrastable laser and use it for research. ERS2 will build an ultrastable, high-finesse cavity and lock a laser to it such that it has a linewidth well below 1 Hz. Light will be sent from this laser through phase-stabilized fiber links to the superradiant clock we develop within iqClock and serve to characterize its precision. These characterizations will be used to identify precision limiting effects and to improve the clock. A further research opportunity is to use this laser for internal state control in our programmable quantum simulator. Another aspect of ESR2's work will be the development of a scalable and simple system to lock all lasers required to operate a superradiant clock.

These ESR positions will be embedded within the projects described on our group website.

What do we require?

You hold a MSc. (or equivalent) in Physics, have done an experimental master project (or equivalent) in an optical, atomic or molecular physics lab. Other skills and documents that would benefit your application are:

  • working knowledge of a programming language (matlab, C++ or equivalent);
  • excellent English oral and written communication skills;
  • scientific publications.

The ESRs shall at the date of recruitment be in the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience) of their research careers and have not been awarded a doctoral degree. They must not have resided or carried out their main activity (e.g. work, studies) in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the three years immediately prior the recruitment date. Please take a look at the other open PhD positions on the Sr group website  if you do not fulfil these eligibility criteria.

To foster diversity in our research group, we will especially appreciate applications from groups underrepresented in science.

Our offer

We offer a temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (initial appointment will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it can be extended for a total duration of 4 years) which 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 salary, depending on relevant experience before the beginning of the employment contract, will be €2,395 to €3,061 (scale P) gross per month, based on a full-time contract of 38 hours a week. This is exclusive 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.

Are you curious about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits like our excellent opportunities for study and development? Take a look here.

Questions?

Do you have questions about this vacancy? Or do you want to know more about our organisation? Please contact:

About the Faculty of Science and the the Institute of Physics

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 7,000, as well as 1,600 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 laboratories 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).

Job application

The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritise diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity.

Do you recognize yourself in the job profile? Then we look forward to receiving your application. You may apply online by using the link below. Your application must include:

  • a curriculum vitae;
  • a motivation letter that explains why you have chosen to apply for this specific position with a statement of your research experience and interests and how these relate to this project;
  • title and summary of your Master thesis.

Please make sure all your material is attached in only one pdf. This single pdf can be uploaded in the field marked CV in the application form. To accelerate the review of your application, please also send it to Florian Schreck per email

We will consider applications as they are received with a final decision after the closing date of this vacancy on 31 May 2021. The selection procedure includes three interview rounds and a reference check. The first two interviews will be done by video calls and the third in person and include a presentation of your master thesis, an interview on experimental quantum physics and an experimental challenge. Because of COVID-19 it may be that the last round has to be done by video call, in which case the experimental challenge will be replaced by a quiz on a research literature assignment. Please read the Charter and Code for recruitment here.

Take a look at our MoSaiQC website for other PhD positions.

The UvA is the party responsible for processing your personal data (the 'controller') within the meaning of the General Data Protection Regulation (‘GDPR’). To know how we process your personal data please click here.


No comments:

Post a Comment

Search This Blog

The University of Mons in Belgium invites application for vacant (8) PhD and Academic Positions

The University of Mons in Belgium invites application for vacant (8) PhD and Academic Positions