PhD fellowship in Experimental Quantum Optics

PhD Project in Nanomechanical control of photon-emitter interactions

The Niels Bohr Institute
Faculty of SCIENCE

University of Copenhagen

The Niels Bohr Institute (NBI), University of Copenhagen, invites applicants for a PhD fellowship in “Nanomechanical control of photon-emitter interactions”. The project is funded by the Independent Research Fund Denmark (IRFD).

Start date is (expected to be) 1 July 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project

The goal of the project is to develop a photonic integrated device capable of generating entangled photon pair on demand (i.e. deterministically) using solid state quantum emitters [1] and controlling their interaction with light in nanophotonic structures [2]. The unique and innovative approach taken in this project, is to combine novel nanomechanical devices [3] and InAs/GaAs quantum dot (QDs) to achieve unprecedented control over the device properties, thus overcoming the existing obstacles in producing high quality and efficient entangled photon pairs. In the project, the candidate will develop novel devices and nanofabrication techniques to build passive on-chip tunable spectral filters and active entanglement generation from QDs [4].

[1] I. Aharonovich, D. Englund, and M. Toth, “Solid-state single-photon emitters,” Nature Photonics 10, 631-641 (2016).

[2] P. Lodahl, S. Mahmoodian, and S. Stobbe, “Interfacing single photons and single quantum dots with photonic nanostructures,” Review of Modern Physics 87, 347 (2015).

[3] L. Midolo, A. Schliesser, and A. Fiore, “Nano-opto-electro-mechanical systems,” Nature Nanotechnology 13, 11-18 (2018).

[4] F. T. Østfeldt, et al. “On-demand source of dual-rail photons based on chiral interaction in a nanophotonic waveguide,” PRX Quatnum 3, 020363 (2022).

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for candidates within the field(s) of quantum physics or related areas. Applicants can have any background within quantum physics, but it is a particular advantage to have experience in quantum optics, nanofabrication, and numerical modeling of photonic devices.

Our group and research- and what do we offer?

The PhD project will be part of the Quantum Optoelectronic Devices Group, which is headed by Assoc. Professor Leonardo Midolo and currently consists of three Post Docs and three Ph.D. students. The group is part of the Center for Hybrid Quantum Networks and the Quantum Optics section, which consists of more than 50 researchers. The center and the section provide a very strong research environment with leading international research groups within quantum optics.

 

The group is a part of The Niels Bohr Institute, Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. We are located in Copenhagen.

We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories and a state-of-the-art III/V cleanroom for device fabrication.

1. Principal supervisor is Assoc. Professor Leonardo Midolo, Niels Bohr Institute, [email protected].

 

The PhD programme

 

A three year full-time study within the framework of the regular PhD programme (5+3 scheme), if you already have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master’s degree.

Getting into a position on the regular PhD programme

Qualifications needed for the regular programme
To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project, e.g. physics. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.

Terms of employment in the regular programme
Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.

Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

Responsibilities and tasks in both PhD programmes

• Complete and pass the MSc education in accordance with the curriculum of the MSc programme

 (ONLY when you are attending the integrated MSc and PhD programme)

• Carry through an independent research project under supervision

• Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE
• Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad
• Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
• Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals
• Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project

 

We are looking for the following qualifications:

• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
• Relevant publications
• Relevant work experience
• Other relevant professional activities
• Curious mind-set with a strong interest in quantum physics
• Good language skills

 

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Application and Assessment Procedure

 Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include: 

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
2. Your motivation for applying for the specific PhD project.
3. Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
4. Original diplomas for Bachelor of Science or Master of Science and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.
5. Publication list (if possible)
6. Reference letters (if available)

Application deadline:

The deadline for applications is 10 March  2025 , 23:59 GMT +1.

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

The further process
After deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified, whether you will be passed for assessment.

The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified and, if so, for which of the two models. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

 

Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.

General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School’s website: https://www.science.ku.dk/phd/.

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.