PhD position Trapped Ions in Optical Tweezers

PhD position Trapped Ions in Optical Tweezers

Working at the UvA

Join us!

This PhD position is part of the Gen-Q programme, which has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement number 101217386.

Working at the UvA

Join us!

This PhD position is part of the Gen-Q programme, which has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement number 101217386.

All about this vacancy

This is what you will do

We will develop a new platform for quantum computing, based on trapped ions in combination with optical tweezers. We will explore the use of tightly focused laser beams and their interaction with crystals of trapped ions to realize new ways to prepare and control qubits, making particular use of the so-called optical Magnus effect, an optical analogue of the well-known classical Magnus effect that is for instance applied in football, causing ball trajectories to curve. In trapped ions, this effect can be used to implement state-of-the-art quantum gates. The tweezers can also be used to sub-Doppler cool the ion crystal and for qubit readout. We will also explore the scalability of the scheme by designing ion traps based on integrated photonics for tweezer delivery.

What we ask of you

  • at least 8 months of master project in experimental ultracold atom or trapped ion group;
  • good team working skills;
  • good English skills;
  • strong letter of recommendation from master project supervisor;

For MSCA PhD positions it is required that the applicant shall at the date of recruitment be in the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience) of their research careers and have not been awarded a doctoral degree. The applicant must not have resided or carried out her/his main activity (e.g. work or studies) in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the three years immediately prior the recruitment date.

This is what we offer you

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 preferred starting date is 1 October 2025 or as soon as possible after that. This 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.

All about this vacancy

This is what you will do

We will develop a new platform for quantum computing, based on trapped ions in combination with optical tweezers. We will explore the use of tightly focused laser beams and their interaction with crystals of trapped ions to realize new ways to prepare and control qubits, making particular use of the so-called optical Magnus effect, an optical analogue of the well-known classical Magnus effect that is for instance applied in football, causing ball trajectories to curve. In trapped ions, this effect can be used to implement state-of-the-art quantum gates. The tweezers can also be used to sub-Doppler cool the ion crystal and for qubit readout. We will also explore the scalability of the scheme by designing ion traps based on integrated photonics for tweezer delivery.

What we ask of you

  • at least 8 months of master project in experimental ultracold atom or trapped ion group;
  • good team working skills;
  • good English skills;
  • strong letter of recommendation from master project supervisor;

For MSCA PhD positions it is required that the applicant shall at the date of recruitment be in the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience) of their research careers and have not been awarded a doctoral degree. The applicant must not have resided or carried out her/his main activity (e.g. work or studies) in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the three years immediately prior the recruitment date.

This is what we offer you

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 preferred starting date is 1 October 2025 or as soon as possible after that. This 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.

Your place at the UvA

You will work in this team

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

The hybrid quantum systems group is headed by Rene Gerritsma and is part of the Quantum Gases & Quantum Information cluster at the Institute of Physics (IoP) of the University of Amsterdam (UvA). The main focus of the group is the use of trapped ions for quantum technology and quantum chemistry.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

More about the UvA

The University of Amsterdam is ambitious, creative and committed. An inspiration to students since 1632, a vanguard player in international science and a partner in innovation.
The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest range of courses on offer. An intellectual hub with 42,000 students, 6,000 staff and 3,000 PhD students. Connected by a culture of curiosity.

Your place at the UvA

This is where you will be working

You will work in this team

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

The hybrid quantum systems group is headed by Rene Gerritsma and is part of the Quantum Gases & Quantum Information cluster at the Institute of Physics (IoP) of the University of Amsterdam (UvA). The main focus of the group is the use of trapped ions for quantum technology and quantum chemistry.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

More about the UvA

The University of Amsterdam is ambitious, creative and committed. An inspiration to students since 1632, a vanguard player in international science and a partner in innovation.
The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest range of courses on offer. An intellectual hub with 42,000 students, 6,000 staff and 3,000 PhD students. Connected by a culture of curiosity.

Important to know

Your application & contact

If you feel the profile fits you and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application by email to [email protected] and in addition by an online submission via the button below. We accept applications until and including 24.8.2025.

If you have any questions or do you require additional information? Please contact:

Rene Gerritsma, [email protected] and/or Robert Spreeuw, [email protected]

Applications should include the following information (for the application through this website: all files besides your cv should be submitted in one single pdf file; for the application by email: simply describe everything except the CV in the email itself and attach your CV):

  • a detailed CV including the months (not just years) when referring to your education and work experience;
  • a short letter of motivation;
  • a link to your master thesis, if you already wrote it, or a short description of what it will contain;
  • the name and email address of your master thesis supervisor or another reference who can provide a letter of recommendation.

A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure (for details: national knowledge security guidelines).

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

As an employer, the UvA maintains an equal opportunities policy. We value diversity and are fully committed to being a place where everyone feels at home. We nurture inquisitive minds and perseverance and allow room for persistent questioning. With us, curiosity and creativity are the prevailing culture.

Important to know

Your application & contact

If you feel the profile fits you and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application by email to [email protected] and in addition by an online submission via the button below. We accept applications until and including 24.8.2025.

If you have any questions or do you require additional information? Please contact:

Rene Gerritsma, [email protected] and/or Robert Spreeuw, [email protected]

Applications should include the following information (for the application through this website: all files besides your cv should be submitted in one single pdf file; for the application by email: simply describe everything except the CV in the email itself and attach your CV):

  • a detailed CV including the months (not just years) when referring to your education and work experience;
  • a short letter of motivation;
  • a link to your master thesis, if you already wrote it, or a short description of what it will contain;
  • the name and email address of your master thesis supervisor or another reference who can provide a letter of recommendation.

A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure (for details: national knowledge security guidelines).

As an employer, the UvA maintains an equal opportunities policy. We value diversity and are fully committed to being a place where everyone feels at home. We nurture inquisitive minds and perseverance and allow room for persistent questioning. With us, curiosity and creativity are the prevailing culture.

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