PhD Position in Theoretical Physics | Mechanical Quantum Sensors for Fundamental Physics

PhD Position in Theoretical Physics | Mechanical Quantum Sensors for Fundamental Physics

You will develop the theory that connects quantum experiments with mechanical systems to questions in fundamental physics, establishing what such experiments can and cannot reveal about nature.

Imagine extending decades of exquisite quantum control from atoms, ions, photons, and related quantum platforms to the rigid-body motion of an entire solid containing billions of atoms. This capability is now becoming a reality through rapid advances in the quantum control of mechanical systems. Owing to their comparatively large mass, these quantum systems offer unprecedented sensing capabilities and open a new window onto some of the deepest questions in physics, including the quantum-to-classical transition, the nature of decoherence, and the interface between quantum mechanics and gravity.

Realising this potential, however, requires a theoretical framework that connects the behaviour of realistic quantum systems with the fundamental questions they can address.

As a PhD candidate at TU Delft, you will develop analytical and numerical models describing the quantum dynamics of mechanical systems and their interactions with complex environments. Building on these models, you will investigate quantum control and noise mitigation techniques to prepare, manipulate, and protect fragile quantum states, improving the performance of mechanical systems for sensing, metrology, and tests of fundamental physics.

By combining experimentally grounded models of realistic quantum systems with abstract theoretical frameworks from quantum information and the foundations of quantum physics, you will establish what laboratory-scale quantum experiments can, and cannot, reveal about the quantum-to-classical transition, decoherence, the interface between gravity and quantum mechanics, and the fundamental laws governing nature.

You will join the newly established theory group led by Assistant Professor Julen Simón Pedernales, working closely with him through regular scientific discussions and direct supervision while collaborating with leading experimental and theoretical researchers at TU Delft and an international network of collaborators. During your PhD, you will publish your work in leading scientific journals, present your work at international conferences, contribute to the supervision of Bachelor's and Master's students, and develop into an independent researcher in theoretical quantum physics.

You enjoy discussing physics in an open and collaborative environment, where ideas are openly discussed, assumptions are challenged, and constructive criticism is welcomed. You are comfortable combining analytical and numerical approaches to model realistic quantum experiments and appreciate how the two complement one another. You are eager to learn new techniques and explore unfamiliar ideas whenever a scientific question calls for them.

Above all, you enjoy moving across different levels of abstraction, from experimentally grounded models of quantum systems to the mathematical frameworks used to describe the fundamental laws of nature.

You also have:

• A Master's degree in Physics or a closely related discipline.
• A strong background in quantum mechanics and mathematics.
• Experience with scientific programming tools.
• A good command of English, both written and spoken.

Experience in one or more of the following areas would be an advantage:

• Quantum sensing and metrology.
• Optomechanics and mechanical quantum systems.
• Quantum information theory.
• Foundations of quantum mechanics.
• The interface between gravity and quantum mechanics.

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