The Swiss Nanoscience Institute (SNI) at the University of Basel invites highly motivated scientists to apply for the SNI PhD program in Nanoscience.
Your position
We are looking for a PhD student for a joint research activity between the Quantum Technologies Group at the Paul Scherrer Institut (https://www.psi.ch/en/lmn/bosonicquantum-error-correction-with-superconducting-circuits) and the Quantum Theory Group at the University of Basel (https://quantumtheory-bruder.physik.unibas.ch/en/). The student will become member of the Swiss Nanoscience Institute (SNI) PhD school.
We will develop new ways to store and manipulate quantum information in nonlinear superconducting oscillators. A key element of our work will be to make use of the many energy levels present in these oscillators to encode qubits that are intrinsically protected against errors. Part of our work will be to devise and implement new nanofabrication processes for superconducting circuits compatible with bosonic quantum error correction. Our goal is to explore both the promise of this approach for quantum computation and simulation, as well as its fundamental aspects in the context of out-of-equilibrium physics.
We are looking for a motivated student with experience or interest in circuit QED, nanofabrication, and nonlinear quantum optics. Over the course of the project she/he will acquire a wide range of experimental skills including:
- Cryogenics and operation of dilution refrigerators
- Microwave circuit design
- Nanofabrication and characterization (lithography, growth and deposition, SEM, AFM, etc.)
- Experimental control and data analysis software
- Quantum measurement and control techniques
In addition, the student will participate in the theoretical developments associated with the project.
Your profile
Candidates are required to have a MS degree in physics/electronics/mechanics or similar, with a solid background in quantum mechanics, as well as good English language skills. Prior experience in any of the techniques mentioned above is considered a plus. We seek a scientifically ambitious individual who enjoys working in an interdisciplinary and collaborative environment on a highly competitive subject.
We offer you
- Excellent scientific and social environment
- Very competitive employment conditions
- Membership in a very supportive and recognised community
The successful candidate will join an attractive interdisciplinary programme together with the ~30 currently supported scientists. The SNI covers a wide variety of topics, including cutting edge quantum physics and chemistry, material science, nanotechnology, biochemistry, cell biology, or medical research.Application / Contact
More information and the online application platform can be found at www.phd.nanoscience.ch. For questions please contact the head of the SNI PhD programme, Dr. Andreas Baumgartner (andreas.baumgartner@unibas.ch), or directly the respective project leaders. The complete application has to be submitted before 31 December 2021. Please note that the decision to fill a given vacancy can be taken at any time from now.