With this project, you will join a team of experimental quantum physicists at the University of Amsterdam who are building a new type of atom interferometer. Atom interferometers are quantum sensors that exploit the wave-particle duality of matter to achieve exceptional sensitivity to inertial forces such as acceleration and rotation. Their performance now rivals, and in some domains surpasses, that of classical systems in gravimetry, gradiometry, and gyroscopy. However, most current implementations are pulsed and sequential, limiting their bandwidth, robustness, and scalability. Achieving continuous operation in a compact format remains a major challenge—particularly for real-world applications where size, weight, power consumption, and long-term stability are critical. This project aims to overcome these limitations by integrating recent advances in laser cooling, matter-wave optics, and coherent atom sources. It will build on the ongoing development of a continuous atom laser at the University of Amsterdam, which provides a steady, phase-coherent stream of ultracold atoms ideally suited for continuous interferometry. You will design and construct a compact rotation sensor using a rubidium atomic beam generated by a 2D-MOT, achieving mean velocities around 20 m/s and enabling interferometer baselines on the order of 20 cm. The interferometric architecture will be inspired by [Phys. Rev. Lett. 78, 2046 (1997)] but adapted for modern low-SWaP operation, including Raman-based beam splitting and large momentum transfer techniques. You will characterize the sensor’s performance—such as sensitivity, scale factor, and stability—while exploring advanced quantum control protocols to enhance atom-optical element fidelity. A key long-term goal will be to integrate a continuous atom laser into the system, enabling true continuous-wave operation. This work will contribute to the development of a new class of compact, high-performance inertial sensors, paving the way toward practical quantum sensing platforms for mobile and embedded applications.

This project is embedded in the QDNL Ultracold Atom Quantum Sensing Testbed, which will allow you to learn about many interesting projects related to your PhD, such as creating a European optical time and frequency distribution network, building an industry prototype of an optical clock, building a continuously operating atom laser, or improving the way in which optics is built. Our group has furthermore quantum simulation experiments using Rb-Sr mixtures or single Sr atoms in optical tweezer arrays and experiments with ions. Your PhD project will profit from synergy with all these activities.

• at least 8 months of master project in experimental ultracold atom or trapped ion group;
• good team working skills;
• good English skills;
• experience with at least a few of the following: experimental work with optics, lasers, electronics, experiment control software;
• some experience with data analysis;
• strong letter of recommendation from master project supervisor;
• beneficial skill: programming, including some languages of the following list: C, C++, Python, Matlab, Mathematica. Programming skills will be used to build experiment control systems, data analysis systems, and to perform numerical simulations of experiments.

We offer a temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years). The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week ranges between € 3,059 to € 3,881 (Scale P). This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. The UFO profile PhD candidate is applicable. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants.

The preferred starting date is to be discussed and lies preferably between April to September 2026. This employment should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and master students.