MAWI
The field of matter-wave interferometry is emerging as a highly-promising interdisciplinary field, at the interface between fundamental science and quantum technologies European industry. The primary goals of MAWI are to use the exquisite control of ultracold quantum matter to implement guided matter-wave interferometers and to train young researchers in the emerging fields of matter-wave interferometry and quantum sensors based on interferometric schemes. Supported by our state-of-the-art facilities, our complementary expertise and skills, the participation of well-known European companies and a broad range of established external partners, we offer 6 PhD positions on the subject of quantum interferometrry. MAWI is funded by the EU Horizon Europe (HORIZON) Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions – Doctoral Networks MSCA-DN.
Current call is open til 29.07: EurAxess call
Another call for MAWI will be available on September 2023, with the positions to be filled by end of November 2023.
TRIESTE
Future atomtronic circuits will be fabricated by integrating the functionalities of different sub-circuits. The main objective of the PhD is to develop machine learning based control on simple integrated atomtronic circuits with lumped parameters. We will focus on the study of a single ring-shaped circuit interrupted by weak impurities. In such systems one can generate current states without synthetic fields and therefore our systems can define AQUIDs or atomtronic flux qubits but with new specifications and a simplified architectures. For such systems, we will develop theoretical tools for their analysis, identifying the relevant observables to read-out their physical conditions in the experiments.
LENS
Experimental implementation of a system for testing the cooling and trapping of cold atoms using atom chips for the realization of matter-wave interferometers. The researcher will take part in the planning and realization of the setup involving a vacuum system, stable and narrow linewidth lasers, and contribute to the design and testing of atom chips with novel microelectronics and photonic structures.
FORTH
The Cretan Matter Waves group at IESL FORTH in Heraklion (Greece) is looking for an excellent candidate for a PhD position in experimental matter-wave interferometry with ultracold atoms. This project will be supervised by Prof. Wolf von Klitzing. The experiments mentioned below will be performed in our existing BEC machine using TAAP waveguides. The first objective will be the state preparation for matter-wave interferometry and it is planned to use atom-shot-noise limited detection and quantum-nondemolition measurements of the initial atoms numbers. The second objective will be the demonstration of guided matter-wave interferometry using Bragg gratings. Finally, we plan to apply recently developed re-focussing schemes to our ring-shaped matter-wave interferometer.
EXAIL
World leader in the production of industrial-grade quantum gravimeters, EQS provides turnkey absolute gravimeters based on matter-wave interferometry for geophysicists and geodesists. LP2N is deeply involved in the construction of the MIGA large-scale gravity antenna, a research infrastructure based on matter wave interferometry that provide precise measurements of the local gravity sensed by a network of three free-falling atom test masses distant up to 150 m. In the first part of the thesis, the applicant will be working on the most advanced instrument developed at EQS, the Differential Quantum Gravimeter (DQG), a double matter-wave interferometer able to measure simultaneously the local gravity acceleration and its gravity gradient. The goal will be optimizing the performances of the device and its accuracy above the current state of the art and using to perform useful measurements for geophysics or civil engineering. In a second part the student will be involved within the LP2N in the MIGA project, where his/her work will be focused on the development of advanced atom gradiometry techniques. In particular, he/she will develop new metrological models and simulations for high-sensitive measurement of the gravity gradient over the horizontal direction. A simultaneous operation with the DQG will be explored to open multi-axial sensing of the gravitational field. Work will involve experimental work, data analysis, theory and eventually field measurements with the DQG.
UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS
University of St Andrews, Associated Partner of the MAWI network, is also offering a PhD position on the theme of Matter-Wave Interferometers. The goal of this PhD project is the exploration of novel ring-shaped atom traps for applications to quantum sensing. You will make use of techniques from the field of atomtronics, a new field at the frontier of matter-wave optics seeking to realize atomic circuits in which ultracold atoms are manipulated in versatile optical or magnetic traps. In particular, your work will be based on holographic optical traps, which are produced by diffracting a laser beam off a computer-controlled optical device, known as a Spatial Light Modulator (SLM). This apparatus offers unparalleled flexibility for the purpose of trapping and manipulating ultracold atoms.
Research Field: Physics
Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Specific Requirements
Previous experience in quantum interferometry and ultracold gases will be positively evaluated.
Languages: ENGLISH
Research: FieldPhysics
Applications to MAWI are either possible by directly contacting an individual supervisor for a specific position or for the network in total. For the latter please contact the network coordinator Andrea Trombettoni using the subject: “Application to MAWI – May 2023”.
The candidates are required to send their CV and a motivation letter to the address atrombettoni@units.it, specifying up to 3 preferred Work Locations. Information about the different PhD projects is below. The order of preference is non committing, but it will be evaluated by the selection committee before making the offers. The candidates should arrange two letters of reference to be sent by email.
In the application email to the address atrombettoni@units.it, please write in the subject: “Application to MAWI – July 2023”.
The two letters of reference have to be arranged to be sent by email to the address atrombettoni@units.it: in the subject it should be written “Reference Letter for Application to MAWI – July 2023 – Name of the candidate”. Possibly, the letters of reference should follow the scheme suggested in the file draft_request_letter_reference_MAWI.txt available in the website:
https://people.sissa.it/~andreatr/MAWI_Request_Reference_Letter/
The short-listed candidates will receive an email with information about the interview. More information about the hiring will be provided at the moment of the offer.