Postdoctoral researcher in quantum cavity optomechanics

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100%, Zurich, fixed-term

Within the framework of the ERC Synergy project Q-Xtreme, the Nanophotonic Systems Laboratory (Pr. Romain Quidant) at ETH Zurich is searching for a motivated postdoctoral researcher to develop integrated trap designs to study coherent expansion and quantum operations on levitated nanoparticles in the quantum regime.

Quantum mechanics is a very successful and well-established theory on the microscale. A manifold of breakthrough experiments using atoms, ions and even large molecules have proven many astonishing predictions made by Quantum mechanics. Nevertheless, our everyday world behaves classical. In order to shed light on the transition between the quantum and classical world, we develop an experimental platform based on Levitodynamics to prepare a mesoscopic particle in its motional ground state and create the first quantum superposition on the mesoscopic scale. 

The Q-Xtreme consortium is a close collaboration between world leading research groups from Switzerland (Novotny@ETHZ, Quidant@ETHZ) and Austria (Aspelmeyer@UW and Romero-Isart@UIBK), that brings together complementary expertise and knowhow in optics, nanofabrication, cryogenic vacuum technology, instrument development, quantum theory and numerical simulations to tackle this milestone experiment. 

We are searching for a talented postdoctoral researcher to work on the engineering of on-chip hybrid electrostatic/optical potentials, and their application to levitated nanoparticles. Some of the main tasks cover:

• Design and characterization of electrical and optical micro- and nanosystems
• Numerical simulations of optical and electrostatic potentials
• Develop experimental setups for levitated nanoparticles
• Interact with collaborators from inside and outside the consortium
• Assist in the supervision of PhD and master students
• Write publications and promote the results at internal synergy meetings & international conferences 

Successful candidates must hold a PhD degree in physics or engineering and have proven track-record in micro- and nanofabrication. Experience in optomechanics, cryogenics, numerical simulation and automatization is beneficial. 

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, we work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.