Temporary contract | 14+22(+12) months | 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?
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.
Quantum technologies have the potential to revolutionise the world in many aspects. Quantum colour centres in in wide bandgap semiconductors have recently emerged as a promising platform, since they can incorporate quantum systems, which can be scaled up by industrial processing. Along these lines, we have recently shown that individual colour centres can be integrated into silicon carbide nanophotonic waveguides with little-to-no degradation of spin-optical coherences. These finding define the strategy for developing a scalable quantum technology architecture.
Our strategy is to establish use integrated colour centres for quantum communication tasks. Key here is to generate spin-photon entanglement. With this milestone demonstration, we strive to kickstart subsequent developments towards a quantum internet architecture.
The objective of this PhD thesis is to demonstrate spin-photon entanglement with single colour centres in silicon carbide. The initial part of this thesis comprises setting up our new optical cryostat platform, which is based on a combination of standard confocal microscopy, and time-bin interferometry. In the second step, you will benefit from our ongoing activities towards quantum photonic silicon carbide chips in which we generate colour centres in fibre-coupled waveguides.
You will determine the ideal pulsed excitation schemes for colour centres, considering spectral, temporal and polarization filtering. Subsequently, you will characterise the spin-photon entanglement quality depending on experimental parameters, such as speed and efficiency. This will give a holistic overview of the performance of these colour centres, such that they can be operated at the ideal parameter set for quantum internet tasks.
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 an interdisciplinary environment
· Team spirit is a critical requirement.
· Mandatory: Demonstrated experience with quantum optics, 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 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
· 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/
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.