Skip to main content

This job has expired

Postdoctoral Researcher in Quantum Nanomechanics

Employer
Aalto University
Location
Finland
Salary
Unspecified
Posting live until
31 Jan 2022

View more

Job Details

Aalto University is a community of bold thinkers where science and art meet technology and business. We are committed to identifying and solving grand societal challenges and building an innovative future. Aalto has six schools with nearly 11 000 students and a staff of more than 4000, of which 400 are professors. Our main campus is located in Espoo, Finland. Diversity is part of who we are, and we actively work to ensure our community’s diversity and inclusiveness in the future as well. This is why we warmly encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to join our community.

The Quantum Nanomechanics group https://www.aalto.fi/en/department-of-applied-physics/quantum-nanomechanics at the Department of Applied Physics is looking for outstanding

Postdoctoral researchers

to carry out experimental research on quantum micromechanical systems. In our team, we investigate how mechanical oscillators can be utilized for fundamental research probing quantum mechanics in massive systems, or for usage in quantum information processing. Additionally, our new efforts aim at experimental studies of gravity in the quantum regime. In our recent research, we have demonstrated quantum entanglement between two micromechanical oscillators realized as vibrating aluminum drumheads [Nature 556, 478 (2018), Science 372, 625 (2021)]. The next challenges include measurement-based feedback, which can be used for preparing and steering mechanical quantum states. Strong measurements and feedback operations allow for novel ways of creating nonclassical mechanical states, for example squeezed and entangled states. A grand goal is to realize quantum teleportation of the state between two oscillators.

In another project, the goal is to touch a hundred-year-old mystery of physics: Despite its success at describing phenomena in the low-energy limit, quantum mechanics is incompatible with general relativity that describes gravity and huge energies. The interface between these two has remained experimentally elusive, because only the most violent events in the universe have been considered to produce measurable effects due to the plausible quantum behavior of gravity. We aim at detecting gravitational forces for the first time within a quantum system. We use mechanical oscillators loaded by milligram masses, and bring two such gravitationally interacting oscillators into nonclassical motional states. Initially, we measure the gravitational force between gold particles weighing a milligram, representing a new mass scale showing gravitational forces within a system.

The experimental work in these projects involves design of the samples and of the measurement setups, cleanroom fabrication, running microwave measurements in dilution refrigerators, and data analysis. You are expected to participate in instructing PhD students.

Your role and goals

Depending on your background and interests, you may work either on

  1. Quantum feedback operations on aluminum drum oscillators. We realize “microwave optomechanical” devices, where the drum oscillators interact with on-chip microwave cavity resonators. Optomechanical techniques allow for both preparing, measuring and manipulation of the mechanical quantum states. You will accommodate these devices into a quantum-limited detection system comprising of parametric amplifiers and real-time feedback realized with FPGA control.
  2. The development and measurement of “quantum gravitational” devices, where the core element is an oscillating silicon nitride membrane that is loaded by a small mass. At very low temperatures achievable in dilution refrigerators, the oscillator becomes nearly isolated from energy losses to the environment, and it can further be made quantum with microwave optomechanics. Together with other team members, you will design and fabricate the devices, and accommodate them in a cryogenic positioning system to verify the gravitational forces inside the system.

Your experience and ambitions

For this challenging research, we are looking for brilliant and energetic individuals who are motivated in experimental, low-temperature quantum physics. We require the candidates to have a proven track record in experimental research with similar or related topics, clean room microfabrication, and strong interest in micromechanical systems. Additionally, the candidates should be excellent team players. Experience with cryogenics and dilution refrigerators, and skill in theoretical understanding of the studied phenomena, are considered significant assets.

What we offer

The Quantum Nanomechanics team, ambitous but relaxed with a great team spirit, carries out top -notch experimental research on the foundations of quantum mechanics. With superconducting qubits, we explore processing of quantum information with mechanical motion. In our more applied research, we lay the foundation for a new generation of devices that use various types of microwave-optomechanical effects for efficient signal processing. We have realized quantum-limited microwave amplifiers and nonreciprocal components to be used in superconducting quantum technology. Besides electromechanics, we are investigating hybrid devices where we control ferromagnetic magnons using acoustic waves.

The fixed term contract is typically initially for two years. Aalto University follows the salary system of Finnish universities. The starting salary for a Postdoctoral researcher is approx. 3700€/month. The salary ranges from 3700€ to 4000€ per month, depending on previous experience. The contract includes occupational healthcare.

The workplace will be the Otaniemi Campus of Aalto University, in the premises of the OtaNano national research infrastructure for micro- and nanotechnologies. OtaNano provides access to all the advanced nanofabrication, nanomicroscopy and measurement facilities and techniques. VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland on campus leverages the bridge between research and innovation. Several startup companies working with electronics, cryogenics, and quantum technology have recently emerged in the community. Our team belongs to the national Centre of Excellence – Quantum Technology Finland that is harnessing quantum phenomena for solid-state-based quantum devices and applications. We also belong to the European Microkelvin Platform collaboration.

Ready to apply?

To apply for the position, please submit your application including the attachments mentioned below as one single PDF document in English through our online recruitment system by using the "Apply" link on Aalto University’s web page (Open positions - Workday (myworkdayjobs.com))

(1)   Letter of motivation
(2)   CV including list of publications
(3)   Degree certificates and academic transcripts
(4)   Contact details of at least two referees

The deadline for applications is January 31, 2022. The positions will be filled as soon as suitable candidates are identified. For additional information, kindly contact Prof. Mika Sillanpää, Mika.Sillanpaa@aalto.fi. Aalto University reserves the right for justified reasons to leave the position open, to extend the application period, reopen the application process, and to consider candidates who have not submitted applications during the application period.

About Finland

Finland is a great place for living with or without family – it is a safe, politically stable and well-organized Nordic society. Finland is consistently ranked high in quality of life and was just listed again as the happiest country in the world: https://worldhappiness.report/news/its-a-three-peat-finland-keeps-top-spot-as-happiest-country-in-world/. For more information about living in Finland: https://www.aalto.fi/services/about-finland

More about Aalto University:

Aalto.fi
twitter.com/aaltouniversity
facebook.com/aaltouniversity
instagram.com/aaltouniversity

Company

Aalto University is where science and art meet technology and business. We shape a sustainable future by making research breakthroughs in and across our disciplines, sparking the game changers of tomorrow and creating novel solutions to major global challenges. Our community is made up of 12 000 students, 400 professors and close to 4 000 other faculty and staff working on our dynamic campus in Espoo, Greater Helsinki, Finland.

Diversity is part of who we are, and we actively work to ensure our community’s diversity and inclusiveness. This is why we warmly encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to join our community.

 

Company info
Website
Telephone
+358504351512
Location
Otakaari 1
Room Y418
Espoo
Finland
02150
FI

Get job alerts

Create a job alert and receive personalised job recommendations straight to your inbox.

Create alert