Postdoc in Experimental Quantum Physics

Are you a eager to push optical atomic clocks and atom interferometers to new levels in a lively, international research group?

Our Strontium Quantum Gases Group is looking for a postdoc who wants to take part in leading the new Quantum Delta NL (QDNL) Ultracold Quantum Sensing Testbed. This group is headed by Prof. Florian Schreck and is part of the Quantum Gases & Quantum Information (QG&QI) cluster at the Institute of Physics (IoP) of the University of Amsterdam (UvA). We exploit ultracold Sr gases for quantum sensing, the study of many-body physics and for quantum computing. We are collaborating with industry, startups and users to bring optical clocks to the market and explore new ways to build sensors, such as superradiant clocks or atom interferometers based on continuous atom lasers.

What are you going to do?

You are given the opportunity to take a leading role in the establishment and running of the QDNL Ultracold Quantum Sensing Testbed. This testbed focuses on following activities, in close collaboration with all research projects in our group (see www.strontiumBEC.com ).

• We are building strontium optical lattice clocks that will be used to provide an optical reference frequency to partners across the Netherlands.
• We are building a time and frequency network that transmits signals through telecom fibres across the Netherlands and has the ambition to ultimately connect to partners across Europe.
• We are collaborating with partners to make these time and frequency signals useful for, e.g. Sr neutral atom quantum computing (QDNL KAT-1 within our own group and at TU/e), precision spectroscopy for the study of fundamental physics (VU), telecommunication or terrestrial navigation.
• We are collaborating with industry, startups and ESA to render ultracold atom devices more compact, robust and cheaper. For example we push towards rugged ways of constructing optical systems, e.g. systems based on microbench optics or photonic chips.
• We are investigating new atom interferometry methods, e.g. based on continuous atom lasers. We are interested in using atom interferometry for inertial navigation.
• We are exploring a new way of building an optical lattice clock, superradiant clocks, which could lead to more robust clocks.

You are invited to join our team of eight PhDs and postdocs working on ultracold quantum sensing. You are expected to be strongly involved in all activities of our testbed that involve external partners. You are invited to participate in all other activities of the testbed. Together with you, we will determine which topics are the most suitable for you to start on. The maximum duration of this position is four years and during that time you can get involved in several of our topics or even start new activities aligned with the mission of the testbed. For this position it is not required to teach, but if you are interested in advancing your teaching skills teaching opportunities can be arranged. Similarly, you are supported if you want to apply for your own funding for research in our group or your own research at another institution after you finish your employment at UvA.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• conducting research in ultracold quantum sensing, resulting in academic publications in peer-reviewed international journals;
• actively contributing to and developing national and international research and industry partnerships and other forms of cooperation. This includes helping to organise tenders for sub-projects that are taken up by industry partners;
• representing the Quantum Delta NL Ultracold Quantum Sensing Testbed and our group at workshops, conferences, research schools, etc.;
• contributing to outreach activities of the Testbed and our group;
• supervising Bachelor, Master students and co-supervising PhD students;
• supporting Florian Schreck in pursuing external funding for research;
• helping with reporting duties for the Testbed and research grants associated with the Testbed (e.g. writing of EU deliverable reports).

What do you have to offer?

You are enthusiastic about experimental quantum physics and a good team worker. You take pride in designing and building complex research instruments. You love pushing into the unknown and reaching for results well beyond the state-of-the-art. You are open to collaboration with people of different background, e.g. industry engineers.

Your experience and profile:

• PhD in AMO physics;
• Committed researcher, demonstrated by publications in international refereed academic journals and academic publishers;
• Professional command of English

Our offer

We offer a temporary employment contract for 38 hours per week for an initial period of 1 year. Based on performance the contract can be extended to a total of two to four years. The preferred starting date is as soon as possible.

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between € 2,960 to € 4,670 (scale 10). This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. The UFO profile researcher is applicable. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:

• 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;
• multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
• a complete educational program for PhD students;
• multiple courses on topics such as leadership for academic staff;
• multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
• 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
• partly paid parental leave;
• the possibility to set up a workplace at home;
• a pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
• the possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;
• help with housing for a studio or small apartment when you’re moving from abroad.

Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here .

About us

The University of Amsterdam is the Netherlands' largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 30,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity.

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 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 laboratory 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) and the Quantum Delta NL Ultracold Quantum Sensing Testbed.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

Any questions?

Do you have any questions or do you require additional information? Please contact:

• Florian Schreck, [email protected]

Job application

If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application. Please submit your application apply online via the button below and by email to [email protected] . We accept applications until and including 31 July 2023. We will likely have other postdoc positions opening after that date. Send Florian Schreck an email to find out ([email protected] ).

Applications should include the following information (all files besides your cv should be submitted in one single pdf file ):

• a detailed CV including the months (not just years) when referring to your education and work experience;
• a letter of motivation;
• a list of publications;
• the name and email address of at least one reference who can provide a letter of recommendation.

The first interview will usually be held within a few weeks of the reception of an application from a suitable applicant by email.

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.

If you encounter Error GBB451, reach out to our HR Department  directly. They will gladly help you continue your application. 

No agencies please.