Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Quantum Sensing

We are looking for an excellent post-doctoral candidate with a PhD degree (or
near completion) in quantum optics, solid state quantum physics, 2D materials
science, magnetic resonance or related areas. The successful candidate will be
part of our research team and involved in designing and implementing
experiments, disseminating our work via writing research articles and giving
oral presentations at conferences and participating in the training and
management of PhD students.





This postdoctoral research associate position is for 1 year, based in the
Department of Materials, University of Oxford which is located in central
Oxford. Solid-state spin photon interfaces are central to emerging quantum
technologies, such as optical quantum networks and quantum sensors. Point
defects in wide-bandgap solids are an example, where the deterministic
interaction between emitted photons and electronic and nuclear spins enables
photon mediated entanglement of spins for distributed quantum networks.
Optical readout of electronic and nuclear spins on the single spin level can
give rise to nanoscale sensors of magnetic field, temperature and pressure.





We have recently discovered that two dimensional materials, namely hexagonal
boron nitride (hBN), can host bright point defects with quantum coherent spins
at room temperature. We have also discovered that these spin triplet defects
show potential for nanoscale quantum sensing, for example vectorial nanoscale
magnetometry. This project is to build an optical setup to enable the
development of an hBN scanning probe which is then to be characterised and
benchmarked for sensing.





The successful candidate will be expected to work with (including designing,
aligning and operating) quantum optical and magnetic resonance setups, as well
as material characterisation and fabrication instrumentation.





All applications must be made online using the Oxford University E-Recruitment
system, no later than 12 noon on Monday 7 April 2025. You will be required to
upload a CV and a Supporting Statement as part of your application. **Please
do not attach any manuscripts, papers, transcripts, mark sheets or
certificates as these will not be considered as part of your application.**





Interviews are scheduled to take place at the Department of Materials on the
week commencing Monday 21 April 2025 and you must be available on this date,
either by Teams, Zoom or in person.





If you have any questions, or would like to learn more about the post, please
contact Professor Hannah Stern at Hannah.Stern@materials.ox.ac.uk