Open PhD positions
The unprecedented precision of quantum clocks offers tremendous opportunities from fundamental science, sensing (e.g. for geodesy) to reliable and accurate positioning, navigation, and timing. Deploying these clocks in telecom networks could avoid damage to the economy through outages of fragile satellite navigation systems, on which ~10% of Europe’s GDP depends. The market for quantum devices is estimated to reach €3Bn by 2030 with quantum clocks covering ~40% of the quantum sensing market. The scientific importance of advances enabling quantum clocks is underpinned by the Physics Nobel Prizes in 1997, 2001, 2005, 2012 and 2022, with five European laureates. Additionally, Europe is world leading in optical clock technology within academia and national metrology institutes as well as through its strong photonics industry. It is crucial that Europe retains its leading position in this strategic area.
The Doctoral Network QuRIOUS aims to train 15 PhD students, here called Doctoral Candidates (DCs) or Researchers, to become Europe’s future quantum technology leaders. To do so, QuRIOUS brings together an outstanding group of scientists and innovators from academia, EU metrology institutes and industry with world class expertise in practical quantum technologies and a decade-long experience of subsystem development for transportable optical clocks. The team’s excellence is manifest in high-impact publications in journals like Nature, Science and Physical Review Letters and several patents. QuRIOUS is an international, multidisciplinary and intersectorial program aimed at developing specialized research skills in advanced and field deployable optical clocks, as well as generic and transferable skills. Development of these skills is crucial for a flourishing quantum ecosystem ensuring the European sovereignty in this disruptive and strategic area.
The Doctoral Network QuRIOUS aims to train 15 PhD students, here called Doctoral Candidates (DCs) or Researchers, to become Europe’s future quantum technology leaders. To do so, QuRIOUS brings together an outstanding group of scientists and innovators from academia, EU metrology institutes and industry with world class expertise in practical quantum technologies and a decade-long experience of subsystem development for transportable optical clocks. The team’s excellence is manifest in high-impact publications in journals like Nature, Science and Physical Review Letters and several patents. QuRIOUS is an international, multidisciplinary and intersectorial program aimed at developing specialized research skills in advanced and field deployable optical clocks, as well as generic and transferable skills. Development of these skills is crucial for a flourishing quantum ecosystem ensuring the European sovereignty in this disruptive and strategic area.
Available projects
Position R1-UvA: Continuous cavity enhanced Sr clocks - University of Amsterdam, NL
Position R2-UvA: Multi-ensemble, zero-deadtime, non-demolition readout Sr clock - University of Amsterdam, NL
Position R3-UoB: Compact vacuum chamber suitable for a transportable optical lattice clock operating at 5x10-18 - University of Birmingham, UK
Position R4-UoB: Field deployable optical lattice clock with performance better than 1 part in 1016 - University of Birmingham, UK
Position R5-CNRS-FEMTO: continuous superradiant emission on the 1S0 → 3P0 clock transition of ytterbium - FEMTO-ST, France
Position R6-CNRS-LPL: Continuous-wave superradiant lasing from a cold-atom beam - Laboratoire de Physique des Lasers, France
Position R7-CNRS-LTE: QND measurements in strontium optical lattice clocks in the classical and quantum regimes - Laboratoire Temps-Espace, France
Position R8-UCPH: Testing the fundamental limits of superradiant lasers - University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Position R9-INRIM: Engineering quantum states and metrology in hybrid cavity lattice clock - INRIM, Italy
Position R10-UMK: Superradiant Sr clock with sequential loading - Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Poland
Position R11-TUW: Theory and numerical simulations for the development of continuously operating clocks - Technische Universität Wien, Austria
Position R12-UIBK: Modeling and new operation modes of cavity enhanced optical clocks - University of Innsbruck, Austria
Position R13-MEN: Development and future maturation of optical clocks based on hot atomic vapors or atomic beams - Menlo Systems, Germany
Position R14-NKT: Tools for optical control of atomic clock transitions - NKT Photonics, Denmark
Position R15-QUBIG: Compact light conditioning modules for the visible spectrum - QUBIG, Germany
Position R2-UvA: Multi-ensemble, zero-deadtime, non-demolition readout Sr clock - University of Amsterdam, NL
Position R3-UoB: Compact vacuum chamber suitable for a transportable optical lattice clock operating at 5x10-18 - University of Birmingham, UK
Position R4-UoB: Field deployable optical lattice clock with performance better than 1 part in 1016 - University of Birmingham, UK
Position R5-CNRS-FEMTO: continuous superradiant emission on the 1S0 → 3P0 clock transition of ytterbium - FEMTO-ST, France
Position R6-CNRS-LPL: Continuous-wave superradiant lasing from a cold-atom beam - Laboratoire de Physique des Lasers, France
Position R7-CNRS-LTE: QND measurements in strontium optical lattice clocks in the classical and quantum regimes - Laboratoire Temps-Espace, France
Position R8-UCPH: Testing the fundamental limits of superradiant lasers - University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Position R9-INRIM: Engineering quantum states and metrology in hybrid cavity lattice clock - INRIM, Italy
Position R10-UMK: Superradiant Sr clock with sequential loading - Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Poland
Position R11-TUW: Theory and numerical simulations for the development of continuously operating clocks - Technische Universität Wien, Austria
Position R12-UIBK: Modeling and new operation modes of cavity enhanced optical clocks - University of Innsbruck, Austria
Position R13-MEN: Development and future maturation of optical clocks based on hot atomic vapors or atomic beams - Menlo Systems, Germany
Position R14-NKT: Tools for optical control of atomic clock transitions - NKT Photonics, Denmark
Position R15-QUBIG: Compact light conditioning modules for the visible spectrum - QUBIG, Germany
Requirements for all positions
- Candidates can not apply for a position in a country where they have lived more than 12 months in the last 3 years.
- Starting date: between October 2025 and April 2026. (Discuss with us if you would like to join, but could start only somewhat later.)
- For the experimental PhD positions it is highly beneficial if the master thesis has been done in experimental atomic, molecular or optical physics.
- Any nationality.
We are an equal-opportunity employer and prioritise diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone.
Because these 15 positions are announced by different European universities and companies, it is recommended that you verify the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of the organization where you are going to apply.
- Starting date: between October 2025 and April 2026. (Discuss with us if you would like to join, but could start only somewhat later.)
- For the experimental PhD positions it is highly beneficial if the master thesis has been done in experimental atomic, molecular or optical physics.
- Any nationality.
We are an equal-opportunity employer and prioritise diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone.
Because these 15 positions are announced by different European universities and companies, it is recommended that you verify the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of the organization where you are going to apply.
