Postdoctoral Fellow in Experimental Quantum Computing with Rydberg ions

at the Department of Physics . (Closing date: 26 April 2023.) Prolonged application time- new closing date: 31 May 2023.

The Department of Physics is one of the biggest departments within the Faculty of Science and supports a broad range of basic research in experimental and theoretical physics. It has about 250 employees of which 95 are PhD students. Many have been internationally recruited. The Department is part of the AlbaNova University Center, which apart from the Department of Physics houses the Department of Astronomy, the Physics Departments at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), and the Nordic Institute for Theoretical Physics (Nordita). 

The Department of Physics and Stockholm University is affiliated to Stockholm Dual Career Network (SDCN) that supports expat partners with professional events, career-related advice and by building a social network in their new hometown. https://www.sdcn.se/ .

Project description
The Trapped Ion Quantum Technology group at Stockholm University invites applications for a postdoctoral position on our trapped Rydberg ion project. The successful applicant will work on trapped ion experiments to perform fast quantum gates and quantum algorithms via Rydberg interaction.

Trapped Rydberg ions are a new system for quantum computation. By laser pulses the ions’ outermost electron is excited to a high-lying Rydberg orbital [1]. Such Rydberg ions are million times bigger than ions in the ground state, and due to their size obtain very peculiar properties. Trapped ions can be entangled via a strong Rydberg interaction in less than a microsecond [2]. This method supports fast entangling gates in large ions crystals, thus enabling a fast trapped ion quantum computer or quantum simulator.

The experimental postdoctoral project will take place in the Trapped Ion Quantum Technology group at Stockholm University and is financed by the Wallenberg Centre for Quantum Technology - WACQT. WACQT is committed to promoting career development, diversity and gender equality through networking and supporting activities. For more information see http://qtech.fysik.su.se/ .

References

• [1] Higgins, et al., Coherent control of a single trapped Rydberg ion, Physical Review Letters 119 (22), 220501 (2017).
• [2] Zhang, et al., Submicrosecond entangling gate between trapped ions via Rydberg interaction, Nature 580, 345 (2020).

Main responsibilities
The position involves experimental research with trapped ions, laser excitation into Rydberg states, characterisation of quantum states and processes, numerical simulations of the experimental results, co-supervision of students.

Qualification requirements
Postdoctoral positions are appointed primarily for purposes of research. Applicants are expected to hold a Swedish doctoral degree or an equivalent degree from another country.

Assessment criteria
The degree must have been completed at latest before the employment decision is made, but no more than three years before the closing date. An older degree may be acceptable under special circumstances. Special reasons refer to sick leave, parental leave, elected positions in trade unions, service in the total defense, or other similar circumstances as well as clinical attachment or service/assignments relevant to the subject area.

In the appointment process, special attention will be given to research skills and experience in experimental research in quantum information or quantum optics with trapped ions, or ultracold atoms, Rydberg physics, and precision laser spectroscopy.

Terms of employment
The position involves full-time employment for a minimum of two years and a maximum of three years, with the possibility of extension under special circumstances. Start date as per agreement.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact
Further information about the position can be obtained from Associate Professor Markus Hennrich, telephone: +46 8 5537 86 14, [email protected] .

Union representatives
Ingrid Lander (Saco-S), telephone: +46 708 16 26 64, [email protected] , Alejandra Pizarro Carrasco (Fackförbundet ST/Lärarförbundet), telephone: +46 8 16 34 89, [email protected] , and [email protected] (SEKO).

Application
Apply for the position at Stockholm University's recruitment system. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.

Please include the following information with your application

• Your contact details and personal data
• Your highest degree
• Your language skills
• Contact details for 2–3 references

and, in addition, please include the following documents

• Cover letter
• CV – degrees and other completed courses, work experience and a list of publications
• Research proposal (no more than 3 pages) describing:
  – why you are interested in the field/project described in the advertisement
  – why and how you wish to complete the project
  – what makes you suitable for the project in question
• Copy of PhD diploma
• Letters of recommendation (no more than 3 files)
• Publications in support of your application (no more than 3 files).

The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position .

You are welcome to apply!