Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Experimental Physics on Quantum Superposition at the Nanoscale, University of Southampton

Applications are invited for an EPSRC funded Postdoctoral Research Assistant to work with Hendrik Ulbricht in University of Southampton. The post is available for three years and will benefit from collaborations with theorists Sougato Bose (UCL) and Myungshik Kim (Imperial College) and experimentalists Gavin Morley (Warwick) as well as Peter Barker (UCL).

The Project: We have demonstrated the quantum superposition of molecules by matter-wave interferometry, and plan to extend the size (mass) of particles in such experiments. For that we follow a scheme to combine a Talbot-Lau interferometer (TLI) with centre of mass (com) motion stabilised levitated bead particles. The beauty of this approach is that it holds promise to not need ground state cooling of the com motion of the bead particle.

The role: You will build the bead interferometry experiment by combining optical tweezing techniques with our existing TLI. You will also join the molecule interferometry experiments with the focus on the reconstruction of the Wigner function of the motional quantum state of the molecules as theoretically proposed by us. You should have experience of designing and building physics experiments including preferably optical design and engineering. Experience with stabilisation techniques as used in cold atom or trapped ion experiments or in optical tweezing techniques are beneficial. Applicants should have, or be very close to obtaining, a doctorate in a field related to this research area.

Please contact Dr Hendrik Ulbricht (h.ulbricht@soton.ac.uk) for further information.

The closing date for this post is 8th August 2012. Please apply online through www.jobs.soton.ac.uk or alternatively telephone 023 8059 2750 for an application form. Please quote vacancy reference number 137712WF on all correspondence. 

The closing date for this job opportunity has now passed, and applications are no longer being accepted for this position

• Job Description and Person Specification

We aim to be an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Please note that applications from agencies will not be accepted unless indicated in the job advert.