SD-25049 – PHD IN NANOSCALE ELECTRO-OPTIC CONTROL OF SEMICONDUCTOR QUANTUM SYSTEMS

Temporary contract | Up to 48 months (14 months initial contract) | Belval

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/

How will you contribute?

Join us for building the next generation of semiconductor quantum chips!

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.

Within our ERC Consolidator Project “Q-Chip”, you will define the new standard in the scalability of solid-state quantum systems.

How? You benefit from the vast potential of our industry-compatible semiconductor quantum platform, i.e., colour centres in silicon carbide. You will integrate multiple electrical and optical control structures on a quantum chip, which unlocks completely new ways of operating quantum systems.

Your PhD thesis objectives include:
(a) Strongly increasing the quantum algorithm depth that we can implement with nuclear spin qubits in silicon carbide.
You will bring to live a novel concept that we have developed, which reduces two-qubit gate durations by at least one order of magnitude. This technique is unique to silicon carbide qubits and requires implementing high-speed magnetic field tuning lines at a nanoscale.

(b) Demonstrating the first scalable electro-optic quantum chip in silicon carbide based on parallelised nanoscale electric field tuning.
You will design and farbicate a quantum chip that incorporates Stark shift electrodes around several colour centres. This will allow you to make them operate at the same wavelength, a fundamental prerequisite for creating entanglement amongst them via photonic interference.
Additionally, you will demonstrate high-speed electro-optic switches on our silicon-carbide-strontium-titanate hybrid platform, which unlocks the ultimate scalability potential of the platform.

(c) The final goal is to combine the above techniques to create the first functional silicon carbide quantum chip, and to demonstrate its operation, e.g., creation of photon-mediated entanglement between distant nuclear spin qubits.

Overall, this PhD thesis project stands as a disruptive breakthrough towards cost-effective semiconductor-based quantum technologies.

Is Your profile described below? Are you our future colleague? Apply now!

Education

· MSc degree in physics, quantum technology, materials science, or electrical 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 a highly international environment

· Team spirit is a critical requirement.

· Mandatory: Demonstrated experience with quantum optics and/or semiconductor electronics, at least within a BSc/MSc thesis project.

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

Language skills

· Good level both written and spoken English.

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 1-2 references

Please apply ONLINE formally through the HR system. Applications by email will not be considered.

Application procedure and conditions

We kindly request applicants to provide their nationality for statistical purposes only, 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, colour, 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.

PhD additional conditions:

· Supervisor at LIST: Dr. Florian Kaiser

· Work location: Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), BelvaL, Luxembourg

· PhD enrolment: University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg

· Candidates must be available to start their position in autumn 2025. Please note that university enrolment fees, currently set at 400 EUR per semester (as of July 2025) must be covered by the successful applicant.

Your master diploma has to be recognized in Luxembourg. Please refer to:

https://www.uni.lu/en/admissions/diploma-recognition/

https://guichet.public.lu/fr/citoyens/enseignement-formation/etudes-superieures/reconnaissance-diplomes.html

Hired PhD candidates must self-register at the university and cover all associated fees. A B2 English certificate is mandatory; see University of Luxembourg's accepted certificates list.