Postdoc: Quantum control of nuclear spins in silicon carbide

Temporary contract | 24 months | Belvaux

Are you passionate about research? So are we! Come and join us

The Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) is a Research and Technology Organization (RTO) active in the fields of materials, environment and IT. By transforming scientific knowledge into technologies, smart data and tools, LIST empowers citizens in their choices, public authorities in their decisions and businesses in their strategies.

Do you want to know more about LIST? Check our website: https://www.list.lu/

Discover our Materials department: https://www.list.lu/en/materials/

How will you contribute?

You will be part of the LIST Materials Research and Technology department, where you will carry out your work in the Quantum Materials Group, led by Dr. Florian Kaiser.

Context

Solid state colour centres are one of the leading platforms in quantum technology. A particularly interesting feature of spin-active colour centres is their ability to utilise naturally occurring nuclear spins as qubits, memories, and quantum registers. Most demonstrator experiments have been implemented with colour centres in diamond, a platform that is heavily challenged by scalability aspects.

The recent discovery of novel high-performance colour centres in semiconductor silicon carbide can induce a radical change. We and other groups have shown that divacancy centres near stacking-faults in silicon carbide show excellent photon count rates and spin contrast, even at room-temperature, features that enable the development of small room-temperature quantum computers based on a cheap semiconductor platform. Further, the di-atomic lattice of silicon carbide enables to significantly increase the number of controllable nuclear spins. Additionally, it is possible to implement new spin control techniques, which can drastically reduce the duration of two-qubit gates, thus solving the main issues of previous colour centre platforms.

Mission

The objective of this postdoc project is to control a local quantum computing registers based on nuclear spin qubits near stacking-fault divacancy centres. An application in the form of a quantum algorithm is also targeted, e.g., Grover’s search or quantum Fourier transform. To maximise the number of controllable nuclear spins and the control fidelity, your tasks are:

- Application of optimal control techniques, depending on the exact configuration of the nuclear spins.

- Implementation of novel nuclear spin control techniques based on dynamically changing the offset magnetic field.

- Implementation of single-shot readout of nuclear spins at room-temperature based on repetitive electron spin readout.

- Co-supervision of PhD students.

- Involvement in our ongoing projects from the national side (FNR), as well as the European side (Quantum Technology Flagship and QuantERA).

Is Your profile described below? Are you our future colleague?

Education

• PhD degree in physics, quantum technology, materials science, or electronic engineering

Experience and skills

• Excellent written and oral communication skills e.g., in publications, reports, and/or presentations

• Collaborative skills, initiative, result oriented, organisation, and capacity to work in an interdisciplinary environment

• Team spirit is a critical requirement.

• Mandatory: Demonstrated experience with experimentally controlling spin qubit systems.

• Considered as a plus: Experience with optimal control.

• Ability to effectively and reliably coordinate with the supervisor and multiple collaborators

Language skills

• English (proficient)

Your LIST benefits

• An organization with a passion for impact and strong RDI partnerships in Luxembourg and Europe that works on responsible and independent research projects

• Sustainable by design, empowering our belief that we play an essential role in paving the way to a green society

• Innovative infrastructures and exceptional labs occupying more than 5,000 square metres, including innovations in all that we do

• An environment encouraging curiosity, innovation and entrepreneurship in all areas

• Personalized learning programme to foster our staff’s soft and technical skills

• Multicultural and international work environment with more than 50 nationalities represented in our workforce

• Diverse and inclusive work environment empowering our people to fulfil their personal and professional ambitions

• Gender-friendly environment with multiple actions to attract, develop and retain women in science

• 32 days’ paid annual leave, 11 public holidays, 13-month salary, statutory health insurance

• Flexible working hours, home working policy and access to lunch vouchers

Apply online

Your application must include:

• A motivation letter oriented towards the position and detailing your experience

• A scientific CV with contact details

• List of publications (and patents, if applicable)

• Contact details of at least one reference

Application procedure and conditions

We kindly request applicants to provide their nationality for statistical purposes (optional), as part of our commitment to promoting diversity and ensuring equal opportunities in our workforce. This information will be kept confidential and will not be used for any discriminatory purposes.

LIST is dedicated to maintaining an inclusive work environment and is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to attracting, hiring, and retaining a diverse workforce. All applicants will be considered for employment without discrimination based on national origin, race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, religion, age, or disability.

Applications will be continuously reviewed until the position is filled. An assessment committee will thoroughly evaluate applications, adhering to guidelines designed to ensure equal opportunities. The primary criteria for selection will be the alignment of the applicant's existing skills and expertise with the requirements mentioned above.

Candidates shall be available for starting their position before end of 2024.