Two PhD candidates Dressing atoms for quantum control | University of Amsterdam Institute of Physics

The Institute of Physics (IoP) of the Faculty of Science combines the Van der Waals-Zeeman Institute (WZI), the Institute of Theoretical Physics (ITF) en the Institute for High Energy Physics (IHEF) and is one of the large research institutes of the faculty. In the group Quantum Gases and Quantum Information of the WZI at the University of Amsterdam experimental positions are available for the project Dressing atoms for quantum control.

Project description

The aim in this experimental project is to induce quantum correlations and entanglement in a gas of ultracold rubidium atoms. For this we need to orchestrate strong and controlled interaction among the atoms in their ground state. We aim to explore a promising novel technique that dresses the ground state atoms by a small admixture of Rydberg character. Dressing transfers some of the large interaction strength of Rydberg atoms to the ground state atoms. At the same time detrimental effects due to finite lifetimes are kept under control.

The experiments will be performed in an existing setup based on an atom chip designed to produce extremely elongated Bose-Einstein condensates. Rydberg atoms can be excited either directly from the elongated cloud, or after first applying a one-dimensional optical lattice.

The projects build on the existing atom-chip and Rydberg physics expertise in the group of dr. R. Spreeuw, dr. N.J. van Druten, and prof. H.B. van Linden van den Heuvell. We are part of the Institute of Physics located in the modern facilities at Amsterdam Science Park. Nanofabrication facilities for the atom chips are available both locally and on the national level. Our group is a partner in the European network (ITN) COHERENCE, fostering strong collaboration among the partner (Rydberg) groups.

For this project we are also looking for a postdoctoral researcher.

Requirements

We are looking for enthusiastic candidates who work well in a team and who can operate a complex experimental setup involving multiple lasers, optics, electronics, computer control and ultrahigh vacuum. The team working on this project will collaborate closely with that on another experiment in the group, on two-dimensional magnetic lattices on a chip.

Further information

For further information please contact:

dr. R. Spreeuw, Αυτή η διεύθυνση Email προστατεύεται από τους αυτοματισμούς αποστολέων ανεπιθύμητων μηνυμάτων. Χρειάζεται να ενεργοποιήσετε τη JavaScript για να μπορέσετε να τη δείτε. or dr. N.J. van Druten, Αυτή η διεύθυνση Email προστατεύεται από τους αυτοματισμούς αποστολέων ανεπιθύμητων μηνυμάτων. Χρειάζεται να ενεργοποιήσετε τη JavaScript για να μπορέσετε να τη δείτε.

Appointment

The candidate will be offered an employment by the University of Amsterdam (UvA) or by the Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter (FOM). Either the Collective Labour Agreement of the Dutch Universities is applicable or the Collective Labour Agreement of for Research Centres.

Conditions of Employment UvA

The appointment will be on a temporary basis for a period of 4 years (initial appointment will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it can be extended for a total duration of 4 years) and should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). An educational plan will be drafted that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. The PhD student is also expected to assist in teaching of undergraduates.

Based on a full-time appointment (38 hours per week) the gross monthly salary will range from €2,083 in the first year to €2,664 in the last year. There are also secondary benefits, such as 8% holiday allowance per year and the end of year allowance of 8.3%. The Collective Employment Agreement (CAO) of the Dutch Universities is applicable.

Conditions of Employment FOM foundation

When fulfilling a PhD position at the FOM foundation, you will get the status of junior scientist.

You will have an employee status and can participate in all the employee benefits FOM offers. You will get a contract for 4 years. Your salary will be up to a maximum of € 2,636 euro gross per month. The salary is supplemented with a holiday allowance of 8% and an end-of-year bonus of 8.33%.

You are supposed to have a thesis finished at the end of your four year term with FOM.

A training programme is part of the agreement. You and your supervisor will make up a plan for the additional education and supervising that you specifically need. This plan also defines which teaching activities you will be responsible (up to a maximum of 10% of your time). The conditions of employment of the FOM-foundation are laid down in the Collective Labour Agreement for Research Centres (Cao-Onderzoekinstellingen), more exclusive information is available at this website under Personeelsinformatie (in Dutch) or under Personnel (in English).

General information about working at FOM can be found in the English part of this website under Personnel. The 'FOM job interview code' applies to this position'.

Job application

Applications, including a statement of your research interest and motivation, curriculum vitae, and names and email contacts of references, should be emailed to Αυτή η διεύθυνση Email προστατεύεται από τους αυτοματισμούς αποστολέων ανεπιθύμητων μηνυμάτων. Χρειάζεται να ενεργοποιήσετε τη JavaScript για να μπορέσετε να τη δείτε., specifying in the subject line the position you are applying for and vacancy number (13-286).

Application deadline is 1 November 2013.