Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Quantum Optical Control of Spin Defects

Contract: Fixed term (2.5 years)

We are looking for an excellent post-doctoral candidate with a PhD / DPhil (or near completion) in quantum optics, solid state quantum physics, magnetic resonance or related areas. The successful candidate will be part of our research team and involved in designing and implementing experiments, disseminating our work via writing research articles and giving oral presentations at conferences, and participating in the training and management of PhD students.

Solid-state spin-photon interfaces are central to emerging quantum technologies, such as optical quantum networks and quantum sensors. For example, atomic-scale point defects in wide-bandgap solids can exhibit a deterministic interaction between emitted photons and electronic and nuclear spins that enables photon mediated entanglement for distributed quantum networks. Optical readout of electronic and nuclear spins on the single spin level can give rise to nanoscale sensors of magnetic field, temperature, and pressure.

We have recently discovered that two dimensional materials, namely hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), can host bright single photon emitting defects with quantum coherent electronic spins at room temperature. Now, our main objective is to transform the material system to a platform for quantum technology: a coherent 2D spin-photon interface for networks and sensing. To achieve this goal, this project will advance the pulsed spin control of defects in hBN via a combination of quantum optical and magnetic resonance techniques. This effort will be combined with ongoing work in the group on the characterisation and optimisation of the hBN material and defect formation, which we perform in collaboration with a wide group of material scientists and electron microscopists.

This postdoctoral research associate position is for 2.5 years, based in the Department of Materials, University of Oxford which is located in central Oxford.

The successful candidate will be expected to work with (including designing, aligning and operating) quantum optical and magnetic resonance setups and will benefit from the active research environment within quantum-related research in Oxford and will receive support and mentoring towards their own career development.

All applications must be made online using the Oxford University E-Recruitment system, no later than 12 noon on Friday 7 March 2025. You will be required to upload a CV and a Supporting Statement as part of your application. Please do not attach any manuscripts, papers, transcripts, mark sheets or certificates as these will not be considered as part of your application.

Interviews are scheduled to take place on the week commencing 17 March 2025 and you must be available on this date, either by Teams, Zoom or in person.

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