Ph.D. student position in quantum optics at the UR Lasers and Spectroscopies at the University of Namur (Belgium)

Responsabilities

ARTEMIS European project

The project ARTEMIS, entitled “Molecular materials for on-chip integrated quantum light sources”, proposes fundamental research toward the development of integrable single and entangled photon sources. The project is motivated by the urgent need for novel quantum sources with unprecedented versatility, flexibility, and performance. This goal will be pursued by resorting to molecular materials characterized by tunable linear downshifted emission as well as non-linear optical properties enabling on-demand single photons and entangled photon pairs/triplets generation. The molecular quantum sources will be combined with suitable designed plasmonic super-nanostructured cavities to achieve the highest optical enhancement. This project has received funding from the European Union’s HORIZON-EIC-2022-PATHFINDERCHALLENGES-01 call under the Grant agreement ID: 101115149. The project is funded until end of September 2027. https://www.artemis-quantumproject.eu

Research project

This Ph.D. thesis research integrates within the ARTEMIS project. The candidate research responsibilities will be articulated along two directions: (1) the quantum optical characterization of photon sources developed by ARTEMIS partners, in particular of single photons and entangled photon pairs; (2) the elaboration of quantum weak measurements protocols exploiting single photons or photon pairs to conceive spectroscopic sensors performing at very low light intensity. The experimental research conducted in (1) will comprise light intensity correlation and quantum tomographic measurements. The research involved in (2) will require the conception and the theoretical modeling of optical quantum weak measurement protocols in the photon regime and the evaluation of their sensing efficiency, before envisioning a proof-of-concept experiment exploiting ARTEMIS sources. The candidate will also be responsible for scientific interactions with ARTEMIS partners linked to the Ph.D. research and contribute to the scientific dissemination of the research results.

Research environment

Prof. Y. Caudano has been a permanent researcher of the Fund for Scientific Research F.R.S.-FNRS at the research unit Lasers and Spectroscopies of the Physics Department at the University of Namur (Belgium) for 20 years. His group conducts both theoretical and experimental research in quantum optics, quantum mechanics foundations, nonlinear optics, and surface optics. The research is supported by the Namur Institute for Complex Systems (naXys) and the Namur Institute for Structured Matter (NISM), and benefits from the Lasers, Optics, and Spectroscopies technological platform of the University, as well as from the high-performance computing technological platform. The ARTEMIS consortium associated to this project involves 10 institutions in 6 countries in Europe.

Situated in the heart of the historic center, the University of Namur benefits from all the facilities in terms of accommodation, shops, leisure, and public transport. Namur is a city of over 110 000 inhabitants, located 60 km south of Brussels, and offers a pleasant quality of life. The University of Namur has been awarded with the “HR Excellence in Research” label in 2013 confirming its alignment of HR policies with the principles of the European Charter for Researcher and a code of conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers.

Profile

We are looking for a skillful and highly motivated Ph.D. student who, ideally, has expertise in experimental optics and theoretical knowledge of quantum optics.

The candidate is expected to:

• have expertise in experimental optics or show a strong willingness to learn to perform optical experiments (building optical set-ups and realizing optical measurements);

• acquire expertise in quantum optics and modelling quantum weak measurements;

• be highly motivated by conducting an international collaborative research project with a multidisciplinary team of experimentalists and theoreticians;

• be autonomous and organized;

• be responsible and take initiatives;

• be a dynamic team player;

• be able to communicate clearly research results;

• have good communications skills in English (reading, writing and speaking).

Eligibility criteria

Applicants must hold (or are on track to graduate shortly) an M.Sc. degree in physics or a closely related subject. The applicant MAY NOT already hold a Ph.D. A fluent knowledge of English is required to interact with our European scientific partners. Preference will be given to strong, enthusiastic candidates with former experience in experimental and quantum optics or a related field, but strong candidates with a different background showing a convincing willingness and aptitude to learn will be considered.

Additional assets:

• willingness to do both experimental and theoretical research;

• general expertise in quantum physics or in optics;

• knowledge of Mathematica or COMSOL;

• good interpersonal skills;

• knowledge of French.

Preference will be given to candidates who can start their research earlier.

Additional information

Prof. Yves Caudano: yves.caudano@unamur.be

Practical information

Starting date: 01/07/2024 (but flexibility up to 15/09/24 may be considered, in particular for strong candidates who are expected to complete their M.Sc. shortly)

Contract: Fixed-term contract until September 30th, 2027

Category: Ph.D. student. (Candidates MAY NOT already hold a Ph.D.)

Net Salary per month: 2417.07€ (Ph.D. grant)

Hiring conditions: If you are not European, you will need a permit to work at University of Namur. The single permit application procedure can take up to 4 months from the moment the application file is complete.

Remarks

Application

The candidates are requested to send their full application by e-mail to Prof. Yves Caudano (yves.caudano@unamur.be) before May 15th, 2024.

The application must include:

• A complete curriculum vitae.

• A copy of your degrees, with a complete list of the courses followed and the grades obtained.

• Relevant scientific documents (publications, master thesis).

• A motivation letter (1-3 pages) introducing yourself, describing your previous research fields and main research results if any, describing your personal goals and how you fit in the project and the profile.

• Two or three reference letters, with contact information, from persons who could be contacted should we need to further assess your qualifications.

Selection process

• Candidates must meet the eligibility criteria and their applications must be complete

• The academic and scientific quality of the candidates will be assessed, along with their technical skills and their matching the profile description

• Selected candidates will be contacted to be interviewed online or in person (preferred for Belgian residents)

• If required, candidates can be tested

The human resources management policy of the University of Namur is based on respect for equal rights and equal treatment for all. This diversity is articulated around different axes, including gender, disability, origin, beliefs, age, sexual orientation, etc. The University of Namur is also a signatory of the charter of diversity.