Postdoc in Experimental Quantum Optics – DTU Electro

If you are establishing your career as a scientist and looking for an exciting research topic and professional team to fulfill your dreams and ambitions, it is right here in front of you. The Quantum Light Sources group at DTU Electro, Department of Electrical and Photonics Engineering at the Technical University of Denmark, is seeking several talented Postdoctoral researchers. You will work in the field of nanofabrication and quantum optical characterization of sources of single indistinguishable photons based on nanoengineered transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) and semiconductor InGaAs quantum dots. The position is offered with support from the European Research Council.

Novel sources of single photons are expected to play an essential role in various quantum information applications, such as secure communications, quantum computation, and metrology. These applications require deterministic on-demand emission as well as high efficiency, purity, and indistinguishability of the emitted photons. Moreover, a vision within scalable quantum information processing is to develop a fully integrated active photonic circuit on a single chip by implementing the main building blocks, e.g., single-photon sources, beamsplitters, and single-photon detectors. In particular, a novel nanoengineered TMD appears as a promising platform for developing on-chip fully integrated photonic circuits for future quantum technologies.

Responsibilities and qualifications
You will participate in a project team with several Postdocs and PhD students, which will design and develop TMD-based and QD-based single-photon sources and detectors meeting all the requirements of the quantum information applications. Your overall responsibility will be to lead the experimental activities, including the nanofabrication and the quantum optical characterization of the devices.

Our quantum optics laboratory is equipped with all necessary state-of-the-art equipment, including the optical closed-cycle cryostat with nanopositioners, tunable femtosecond laser system, spectrometer, and superconducting single-photon detectors, for quantum optical characterization. We will fabricate our photonic devices using our state-of-the-art cleanroom facilities as well as a home-built transfer stage equipped with imaging tools.

The experimental activity will take place in a close feedback loop with the theoretical activity to take into account the experimental results in subsequent design iterations. The entire project team will discuss promising opportunities for next-generation TMD-based photonic devices and designs.

Several postdoc positions are currently available within the following area:

• Quantum optical characterization of novel single-photon sources. 

The candidate is thus expected to:

• Take responsibility for the experimental activities in our optical laboratory
• Perform spectroscopy and the optical imaging of various quantum emitters
• Implement optical setups for optical device characterization at cryogenic temperature
• Perform full quantum optical characterization of the fabricated devices: purity (Hanbury Brown-Twiss), efficiency, and indistinguishability (Hong-Ou-Mandel)
• Supervise experimental PhD students
• Actively contribute to the development of novel single-photon sources

As a formal qualification, you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent). The candidate must describe his/her previous experience with quantum optics in the application. Previous experience with 2D TMD materials is advantageous but not required.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility. 

Salary and terms of employment 
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is two years. The position is full-time and open from the 1 December 2023 or as soon as possible thereafter. 

You can read more about career paths at DTU here .

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Assistant Prof. Battulga Munkhbat (bamunk@dtu.dk  Tel: +45 5038 5428) and Prof. Niels Gregersen (ngre@dtu.dk ).  

You can read more about DTU Electro at www.electro.dtu.dk . 

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at “Moving to Denmark” DTU – Moving to Denmark .

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 15 October 2023 (23:59 Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• Application (cover letter)
• CV
• Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD – in English)
• List of publications 
• Reprints of three most relevant papers

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

DTU Electro has 300 employees with competencies in electrical and photonics engineering. As one of Europe’s largest public research departments, DTU Electro covers a multitude of research disciplines within nanophotonics, lasers, quantum photonics, optical sensors, LEDs, photovoltaics, ultra-high speed optical transmission systems, bio-photonics, acoustics, power electronics, robotics, and autonomous systems.

Technology for people
we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.