Job offers
Bachelor and Master Thesis
PhD Positions
PostDoc Positions
Initial applications for internships, bachelor's or master's theses as well as PhD and PostDoc candidates are welcome at any time.
Please contact the responsible person for each research project
Quantum Logic Spectroscopy | Prof. Dr. Piet O. Schmidt |
Quantum Clocks and Complex Systems | Prof. Dr. Tanja E. Mehlstäubler |
Trapped-Ion Quantum Engineering | Prof. Dr. Christian Ospelkaus |
Open Positions
In the Quantum Logic Spectroscopy research group, we work on precision spectroscopy of trapped and laser-cooled atomic ions. To this end, we develop quantum computer-inspired techniques for the coherent manipulation of ions and their spectroscopy for applications such as high-precision optical atomic clocks.
Your tasks will include:
- Enhancing the Ca+-based multi-ion experiment to attain uncertainty values so far unequalled
- Implementing and evaluating multi-ion manipulation, detection and cooling techniques
- Developing and implementing quantum algorithms for ion entanglement to improve the statistical uncertainty
- Enhancing dynamic decoupling algorithms to suppress environmental effects
- Developing methods for correlated clock retrieval in close collaboration with the Al+ quantum logic clock
- Presenting the scientific results at international conferences
- Participating in international projects such as the TSCAC EU project and the DQ-mat Collaborative Research Center (CRC)
We offer:
- A position at one of the world’s leading research institutions which has an excellent infrastructure
- Excellent national and international connections
- Intensive PhD supervision in an interdisciplinary team as well as practical training in modern experimental technologies of laser and quantum physics and frequency metrology
- Research leave abroad via our wide-ranging network
- Remuneration in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement for the public service (Tarifvertrag öffentlicher Dienst Bund – TVöD for the federal level)
- For PhD students, remuneration is based on salery group E13, (85%)
- Good transport connections (bus and bike); free parking
- In-house daycare center and canteen
Your profile:
- You have completed your university studies in physics (master’s degree/German Diplom) with a very good degree.
- You are interested in developing and performing high-precision experiments.
- You have a high level of commitment, an ability to work independently, and a willingness to learn.
- You are a strong team player with excellent communication skills.
- You have a very good command of spoken and written English.
- Having a good knowledge of atomic physics, quantum optics, laser cooling, laser spectroscopy, or related fields is an advantage.
- You are willing to travel within Germany and abroad within the scope of your assignment.
- You must have the physical ability to work in a laboratory and perform experiments at external sites.
If you are interested, please contact Prof. Dr. Piet O. Schmidt or Dr. Lennart Pelzer
PTB promotes the professional equality of women and men and is thus especially interested in applications from women.
Within the scope of the official feasibilities, PTB offers flexible part-time work schemes in order to support in particular the compatibility of work and family life.
Disabled persons will be given priority if they have the same occupational aptitude.
The QUEST Institute for Experimental Quantum Metrology is a joint institution of the Leibniz Universität Hannover and the PTB in Braunschweig. In the Quantum Logic Spectroscopy research group, we work on precision spectroscopy of trapped and laser-cooled atomic ions.
Quantum control of trapped ions is one of the most advanced approaches to develop a fault-tolerant programmable quantum computer. A 50-qubit system based on a surface ion trap chip with integrated microwave near-field control is to be set up. All aspects of the overall system are covered within the research group. A basic requirement for the operation of the quantum computer is long storage time of the ions, which is limited by collisions with the residual gas.
The main workplace will be in Hannover
Your tasks will include:
- Planning of vacuum systems for testing the outgassing behavior of different materials
- Planning, implementation and evaluation of outgassing tests
- Operation of a test apparatus for comparison and further development of baking strategies in combination with e.g. UV irradiation to minimize residual gas pressure in vacuum systems
- Planning, implementation and evaluation of measurement campaigns to characterize baking processes
- Development of additively manufactured vacuum chambers
- Development of concepts for scalable cryogenic vacuum systems
- Presenting the scientific results at national and international conferences
We offer:
- A position at one of the world’s leading research institutions which has an excellent infrastructure
- Excellent national and international connections, in addition to QVLS-Q1, the working group is e.g. B. involved in the excellence cluster QuantumFrontiers
- Remuneration in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement for the public service (Tarifvertrag öffentlicher Dienst Bund – TVöD for the federal level)
- Remuneration is based on salery group E13.
- Position limited until December 31, 2025
- Good work-life balance (flexible work and part-time models possible)
- Good transport connections (bus and bike); Subsidy for Jobticket Germany; free parking
Your profile:
- You have completed your university studies in mechanical or electrical engineering or physics (master’s degree/German Diplom) with a very good degree.
- You have knowledge of vacuum and/or clean room technology or related areas
- Ideally you have knowledge of laser technology, optics, electronics and construction
- You have a high level of commitment, an ability to work independently, and a willingness to learn.
- You are a strong team player with good communication skills.
- You have a very good command of spoken and written English.
- You must have the physical ability to work in a laboratory and perform experiments at external sites.
If you are interested, please contact Prof. Dr. Piet O. Schmidt
PTB promotes the professional equality of women and men and is thus especially interested in applications from women.
Within the scope of the official feasibilities, PTB offers flexible part-time work schemes in order to support in particular the compatibility of work and family life.
Disabled persons will be given priority if they have the same occupational aptitude.
Postdoctoral researcher in the field of quantum logic spectroscopy of highly charged ions (TVöD E13)
Highly charged ions (HCIs) are ubiquitous in the observable universe and have many advantageous properties for fundamental physics tests and use as next-generation optical clocks. Building on our recent breakthrough in the clock-like laser spectroscopy of highly charged ions with a precision jump of nine orders of magnitude, the following tasks will be pursued:
Working with our team to install and characterize an improved ion trap based on precision-machined wafer technology to further improve the performance of the system
Developing quantum logic search techniques to enable the rapid localization and identification of narrow optical transitions in HCIs
Performing optical frequency measurements at the technological limit and analyzing isotopic shift data with respect to the exclusion of 5th forces
The post is initially limited to three years; an extension of the contract is possible. You will be employed at our Braunschweig site. The remuneration will be paid in accordance with remuneration group 13 TVöD Bund.
We offer:
An excellent research environment with access to PTB’s unique infrastructure
Hands-on training in modern experimental techniques in laser and quantum physics and active participation in the development of experiments at the forefront of quantum physics research
The opportunity to present scientific results at international conferences
We support research trips abroad in cooperation with our international partners
Your profile:
You have completed your university studies (diploma/master’s) in physics with a very good degree; a doctorate would be an advantage
You are interested in developing and performing high-precision experiments
You have a high level of commitment, you work well both independently and in a team, and you have a willingness to learn
You are a strong team player with excellent communication skills
You have a very good command of both spoken and written German and English
Having a good knowledge of atomic physics, quantum optics, laser cooling, laser spectroscopy, or related fields is an advantage
The physical ability to work in a laboratory and to perform experiments at external sites is required
If you are interested, please contact Prof. Dr. Piet O. Schmidt
In the research group "Quantum Logic Spectroscopy" we deal with precision spectroscopy of trapped and laser-cooled atomic ions. Therefore, we develop quantum computer-inspired techniques for the coherent manipulation of ions and their spectroscopy for applications such as high-precision optical atomic clocks.
Your tasks:
Development of compact optical setups with automated optimisation of operating parameters
Integration of the resulting hardware in a transportable Al+ quantum logic clock
Participation in the automation of the clock for continuous operation and characterisation of the clock
Participation in in-field measurement campaigns outside the laboratory environment for relativistic geodesy
The post is initially limited to three years; an extension of the contract is possible. You will be employed at our
Hannover site in the brand-new HITec lab building. The remuneration will be paid in accordance with remuneration group 13 TVöD Bund (85 %).
We offer:
- An excellent research environment (DQ-mat CRC 1227, Excellence Cluster 2123) with access to PTB's unique infrastructure [TODO!]
- Practical training in modern experimental techniques in laser and quantum physics and active participation in the development of experiments at the forefront of quantum physics research.
- Possibility to present scientific results at international conferences
- We encourage research stays abroad with our international collaborators
Your profile:
- You have obtained an excellent university degree in physics
- You are interested in developing and realising precision experiments
- You are highly committed and capable of working both autonomously and together as part of a team, and you are willing to improve your skills
- You are a team player and have good communication skills
- Sound knowledge of atomic physics and experience in the field of quantum optics, laser cooling, laser
spectroscopy or related subjects is advantageous - You have the physical ability to work in a laboratory and to perform experiments outside the institute
If you are interested, please contact Prof. Dr. Piet O. Schmidt
In unserem Labor entwickeln wir eine optische Atomuhr, bei der die Frequenz eines Lasers mit der
Energiedifferenz zweier Quantenzustände (Referenz) von 40Ca+ verglichen und anschließend darauf
stabilisiert wird. Insbesondere fokussieren wir uns dabei auf die Möglichkeit durch die gezielte
Manipulation dieser Quantenzustände den Messprozess zu verbessern und dadurch die Stabilität
unserer Atomuhr zu erhöhen. Mithilfe von Verfahren wie die Verschränkung mehrerer Ionen oder die
Entkopplung der Quantenzustände von externen Störungen (Dynamical Decoupling) lassen sich die
Sensitivität des Messsignals und die Messdauer bei der Abfrage vergrößern. Auch das gleichzeitige
Abfragen vieler atomarer Zustände in einem Ionenkristall dient einer verbesserten Sensitivität, da in
gleicher Zeit mehr Informationen aus dem System ausgelesen werden können. Mit steigender Anzahl an
Ionen entstehen immer mehr Störungen in dem Quantensystem. Dadurch wird ein hohes Maß an
Kontrolle der Ionen in unserer Paul-Falle erfordert und die Messung an speziell konstruierte
Quantenzustände durchgeführt.
Mögliche Aufgabenfelder:
- Charakterisierung der Temperatur und der Stabilität von Ionenkristallen
- Programmierung und Entwicklung von Messequenzen und Auswertung mit Python (ARTIQ)
Ihr Profil:
- Interesse an Laserphysik, Atomphysik und Quantenoptik
- Hohes Engagement, eigenverantwortliches Arbeiten sowie Lernbereitschaft
- Team und Kommunikationsfähigkeit
Bei Interesse bitte Prof. Dr. P. O. Schmidt kontaktieren.
In unserem Labor an der PTB in Braunschweig ist ab sofort eine Masterarbeit zu vergeben.
In unserem Experiment werden hochgeladene Ionen (HCI), z.B. Ar13+ oder Ca15+, mit bisher unerreichter Präzision spektroskopiert. Bis vor wenigen Jahren war dies unmöglich, da HCI bei hohen Temperaturen erzeugt werden. Innerhalb unserer Kollaboration mit dem Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik in Heidelberg konnten dies erstmal gelöst werden. Dazu werden HCI aus einem Plasma in eine Paul-Falle transportiert, wo sie sympathetisch mit Be+ gekühlt werden. Dies erlaubt uns die Anwendung von Techniken der Quantenoptik zur Manipulation des internen Zustands des HCI.
Innerhalb dieses Projektes soll ein neuer Helixresonator gebaut werden welcher die Radiofrequenzspannung für unsere Ionenfalle zur Verfügung stellt. Da unser Experiment kryogen (~4 K) betrieben wird, bietet sich hierfür die Verwendung von supraleitenden Materialien an um Restwiderstände zur verringern.
Aufgabengebiete:
Design und Entwicklung eines supraleitenden Helixresonators.
Test des Resonators in einem kroygenen Aufbau, und Messung der Güte.
Integration des Resonators in Ionenfalle und Experimente an gefangenen Ionen.
Ihr Profil:
Gute abgeschlossenes Bachelorstudium der Physik oder vergleichbar
Gute Kenntnisse in Elektronik und CAD sind hilfreich
Hohes Engagement, eigenverantwortliches Arbeiten sowie Lernbereitschaft
Team- und Kommunikationsfähigkeit
Deutsch- und Englischkenntnisse (in Wort und Schrift)
Die physische Möglichkeit zur Laborarbeit und Durchführung von Experimenten muss gegeben sein.
Bei Interesse bitte Prof. Dr. P. O. Schmidt kontaktieren.
Doctoral candidates in the field of quantum logic spectroscopy of highly charged ions (85% E13 TVöD)
Highly charged ions (HCIs) are ubiquitous in the observable universe and have many advantageous properties for fundamental physics tests and use as next-generation optical clocks. Building on our recent breakthrough in the clock-like laser spectroscopy of highly charged ions with a precision jump of nine orders of magnitude, the following tasks will be pursued:
- Participating in the ERC project titled ‘FunClocks’ and in other international cooperation projects
- Setting up an electron beam ion trap (EBIT) with an integrated optical resonator to investigate Doppler-free spectroscopy of HCIs in close cooperation with the Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics (MPIK), Heidelberg
- Participating in developing quantum logic search techniques to enable the rapid identification of narrow optical transitions in HCIs
- Performing optical frequency measurements at the technological limit
- Developing optical clocks based on HCIs with an uncertainty of 10‑18
- Presenting the scientific results at international conferences
Your profile:
- You have completed your university studies (master’s degree or German Diplom) in physics or a comparable field with a very good degree.
- You are interested in developing and performing high-precision experiments.
- You are highly committed and capable of working autonomously.
- You are a strong team player with excellent communication skills.
- You have a very good command of spoken and written English.
- A good knowledge of atomic physics, quantum optics, laser cooling, laser spectroscopy, or related fields would be an advantage.
- You are willing to travel within Germany and abroad within the scope of your assignment.
- You must have the physical ability to work in a laboratory and perform experiments at external sites.
We offer:
- A position at one of the world’s leading research institutions which has an excellent infrastructure
- Excellent national and international connections
- Intensive PhD supervision in an interdisciplinary team as well as practical training in modern experimental technologies of laser and quantum physics and frequency metrology
- Research leave abroad via our wide-ranging network
- Remuneration in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement for the public service (Tarifvertrag öffentlicher Dienst Bund – TVöD for the federal level)
- Good transport connections (bus and bike); free parking
- In-house daycare center and canteen
The post is initially limited to three years; an extension of the contract is possible. You will be employed at our Braunschweig site.
For more information, please contact Prof. Dr. Piet O. Schmidt
Optische Uhren bieten noch präzisere Frequenzstandards als 133Cs-Fontänenuhren, die aktuell die Sekunde definieren. Unser Ansatz einer transportablen, optischen Uhr zielt dabei auf die Spektroskopie eines Uhrenübergangs von 27Al+ ab, das durch ein 40Ca+-Ion im gemeinsamen Potential der Ionenfalle sympathetisch gekühlt wird. Die Kühlung des 40Ca+-Ions erfordert ein Lasersystem bei 397 nm, das sich durch eine hohe thermische und mechanische Stabilität auszeichnet, so dass eine Nachjustage der Optiken am Zielort der Uhrenmessung nicht erforderlich ist. Im Rahmen dieser Masterarbeit soll solch ein optisches System entwickelt und aufgebaut werden, so dass es in einen 19-Zoll-Rackschrank ultrastabil integriert werden kann.
Aufgabengebiet:
- Planung und Aufbau eines Lasersystems bei 397 nm zur Kühlung von 40Ca+-Ionen
- Integration dieses optischen Aufbaus in eine bereits vorentwickelte, ultrastabile Rackschublade
- Charakterisierung der mechanischen Stabilität
- Spektroskopie des 2S1/2 ↔ 2P1/2 Übergangs von 40Ca+
- Mitwirkung bei weiteren Aspekten des Gesamtsystems
Anforderungsprofil:
- Interesse an Laserphysik, Photonik, Optik
- Studiengang der Physik, Nanotechnologie, optische Technologien oder vergleichbar
- Hohes Engagement, eigenverantwortliches Arbeiten sowie Lernbereitschaft
- Ausgeprägte Kommunikationsfähigkeit und Fähigkeit zum Arbeiten im Team
- Gute Deutsch- und Englischkenntnisse in Wort und Schrift
- Physische Voraussetzungen zum Arbeiten im Labor
Für weitere Informationen kontaktieren Sie bitte:
Constantin Nauk
Hannover Institute of Technology & QUEST
Tel.: 0511 / 762-18908
E-Mail: Constantin.Nauk@quantummetrology.de
Dr. Stephan Hannig
QUEST Institut für experimentelle Quantenmetrologie
Tel.: 0531 / 592-4705
E-Mail: Stephan.Hannig@quantummetrology.de
Web: www.quantummetrology.de/eqm/home/
Erste zukünftige Quantencomputer werden in Datenzentren oder Serverfarmen integriert werden. Für unseren auf Ionen basierenden Ansatz werden derzeit sämtliche benötigten Lasersysteme und -komponenten auf Serverrack-Größe angepasst. Wichtig sind hierbei sowohl Langzeitstabilität als
auch Transportstabilität, so dass eine Nachjustage am Zielort nicht notwendig ist. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit soll eine Teilkomponente des Lasersystems (Laserstabilisierung mittels Jod-Spektroskopie) verkleinert aufgebaut werden, so dass sie in ein 19-Zoll-Server-Rack integriert werden kann.
Aufgabengebiet:
- Planung und Aufbau einer Laserstabilisierung mittels Jod-Spektroskopie für einen Teil unseres Be + -Lasersystems
- Integration dieses Laserstabilisierungsaufbaus in eine Rackschublade
- Charakterisierung der Laserstabilisierung
- Mitwirkung bei weiteren Aspekten des Gesamtsystems
Anforderungsprofil:
- Interesse an Laserphysik, Photonik, Optik
- Studiengang der Physik, Nanotechnologie, optische Technologien oder vergleichbar
- Hohes Engagement, eigenverantwortliches Arbeiten sowie Lernbereitschaft
- Ausgeprägte Kommunikationsfähigkeit und Fähigkeit zum Arbeiten im Team
- Gute Deutsch- und Englischkenntnisse in Wort und Schrift
- Physische Voraussetzungen zum Arbeiten im Labor
Für weitere Informationen kontaktieren Sie bitte:
Dr. Gunnar Langfahl
QUEST Institut für experimentelle Quantenmetrologie
Tel.: 0511 / 762-16177
E-Mail: Gunnar.Langfahl@quantummetrology.de
Dr. Stephan Hannig
QUEST Institut für experimentelle Quantenmetrologie
Tel.: 0531 / 592-4705
E-Mail: Stephan.Hannig@quantummetrology.de
Web: www.quantummetrology.de/eqm/home/