You will work on two projects. You and the QDNL team will design and build a highly reliable optical lattice clock, based on our AQuRA project. With our partners from VSL and VU, we will distribute the frequency reference of this clock through fibre links across the Netherlands and ultimately Europe. In parallel, you and the QDNL team will create continuously operating optical clocks (a superradiant clock and a zero-deadtime, multi-ensemble clock). Such a clock should ultimately be able to average down to a precision of 10^-18 in minutes instead of the hours needed by todays clocks. This benefit will unlock new possibilities from fundamental science to society.

• A master degree, having done the master project in atomic, molecular or optical physics, ideally on an ultracold atom or trapped ion experiment;
• Motivation to work with an ambitious and nice team in a challenging, but rewarding, research field;
• Good command of English.

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 autumn-spring 2024/25. 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.

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between € 2,872 to € 3,670 (scale P). This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:

• 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;
• multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
• a complete educational program for PhD students;
• multiple courses on topics such as leadership for academic staff;
• multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
• 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
• partly paid parental leave;
• the possibility to set up a workplace at home;
• a pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
• the possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;
• help with housing for a studio or small apartment when you’re moving from abroad.

Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here.