Aalto University is where science and art meet technology and business. We shape a sustainable future by making research breakthroughs in and across our disciplines, sparking the game changers of tomorrow and creating novel solutions to major global challenges. Our community is made up of 12 000 students, 400 professors and close to 4 000 other faculty and staff working on our dynamic campus in Espoo, Greater Helsinki, Finland. Diversity is part of who we are, and we actively work to ensure our community’s diversity and inclusiveness. This is why we warmly encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to join our community.
The Quantum Circuits and Noise group at the Department of Applied Physics is now looking for a
Postdoctoral researcher
An experimental Postdoc position in the field of superconducting quantum correlations in topological materials is available in the NANO group, Department of Applied Physics at Aalto University, Finland. We are leading research in the field of quantum circuits and superconducting hybrid circuits based on novel two- dimensional van der Waals materials. These hybrid-circuits form a promising direction within the emerging field of quantum technologies, which enables a.o. supersensitive sensors for detection flux, charge, and phonons at the sensitivity limits governed by quantum mechanics. This field of research has made tremendous progress in recent years, and presently offers plenty of exciting opportunities for young scientists, in both academia and industry.
This research is motivated by the recent developments in anyon physics. The fractional quantum Hall states provide a unique testbed to probe the exotic quantum statistics of the anyons. We have recently demonstrated the Abelian quantum statistics in an anyon collider geometry fabricated in GaAs/AlGaAs. In this postdoctoral research, we will work towards the development of interferometry for the non-Abelian anyons in the hybrid material platform such as superconductivity proximities graphene-based devices at high magnetic fields, where Landau levels coexist with superconductivity. In such devices, strong electronic interactions may provide novel particles and parafermions. The control manipulation of non-Abelian anyons will set the benchmark for topological quantum computation.
Your role
Being a Postdoc, you will design, fabricate and characterize your own devices using in-house state-of-art micro and nano-fabrication facilities. The electrical measurement will be performed down to 10 mK and in the field as high as 14 T. A low-frequency cross-correlation spectroscopy will be optimized to probe quantum statistics and further extended to develop microwave spectroscopy in the GHz regime.
Your experience and ambitions
We are looking for a bright, motivated researcher to join our team. Prior laboratory experience in the fields of mesoscopic physics, cryogenics, microwave electronics, circuit design, and clean-room techniques, and instrument programming is a plus. We also encourage applications from electrical engineering who have a strong interest in physics and who wish to explore the possibilities of quantum technologies for electrical measurements in general. Our group is gender-neutral and female candidates are encouraged to apply.
We require the candidates to have excellent skills in English. Finnish language is not required. To be eligible, a postdoctoral researcher must hold a PhD degree in a suitable field.
What we offer
Our research group is a member of the Academy of Finland’s Center of Excellence “QTF”, Quantum technology Finland. The work takes place in the Low Temperature Laboratory and Micronova nanofabrication center, which are part of the national OtaNano research infrastructure. The group is also part of the InstituteQ.
As a postdoc within the Center of Excellence QTF you will be part of a vibrant community working on quantum technologies. You will have the opportunity to discuss and collaborate with top-level theorists and experimentalists working on similar topics. You will have full access to the OtaNano research infrastructure for nano- and micro-technologies, comprising state-of-the-art equipment in nanofabrication, cryogenics, microscopy, and electronics.
The skills that you will acquire are currently in very high demand both in academia and in high-tech companies. Moreover, you will have an opportunity to interact with the local spin-off companies in quantum technology on campus. At present, there is a significant level of investment from private and governmental funding agents in the field of quantum technologies, which enhances future job opportunities in this field.
The primary workplace will be the Otaniemi Campus at Aalto University.
The position is filled for two years with possible extension up to 5 years altogether. The annual workload of research and teaching staff at Aalto University is currently 1612 hours. Aalto University follows the salary system of Finnish universities. The salary ranges for a postdoc from 3800€ to 4100€ per month (gross), depending on previous experience. The starting salary is 3800 €/month and increases as you progress in your research. The contract includes Aalto University occupational healthcare.
The position is funded by the Academy of Finland and Institute Q.
Ready to apply?
To apply for the position, please submit your application including the attachments mentioned below as one single PDF document in English through our online recruitment system by using the link on Aalto University’s web page (“Apply Now”).
- Letter of motivation
- CV including publications and description of skills/previous experience
- PhD diploma
- Contact details of at least two academic advisors (or letters of recommendation, if already available)
The deadline for applications is 1st March 2023. We will go through applications, and we may invite suitable candidates to interview already during the application period. The position will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate is identified: therefore, we encourage you to contact the group leader or send an application as soon as possible. For further information on this project, contact Prof. (pertti.hakonen(at)aalto.fi) or Manohar Kumar (manohar.kumar(at)aalto.fi).
Aalto University reserves the right for justified reasons to leave the position open, to extend the application period, and to consider candidates who have not applied during the announced application period.
Please note: Aalto University’s employees and visitors should apply for the position via our internal system Workday à find jobs (not external aalto.fi webpage on open positions) by using their existing Workday user account.
Want to know more about us and your future colleagues? You can watch these videos: Aalto University – Towards a better world, Aalto People , and Shaping a Sustainable Future. And this webpage about Aalto and Finland: https://www.aalto.fi/en/services/welcome-to-aalto-university-and-finland-info-package
Check out our new virtual campus experience: https://virtualtour.aalto.fi/
About Finland
Finland is a great place for living with or without family – it is a safe, politically stable and well-organized Nordic society. Finland is consistently ranked high in quality of life and was just listed again as the happiest country in the world: https://worldhappiness.report/news/its-a-three-peat-finland-keeps-top-spot-as-happiest-country-in-world/. For more information about living in Finland: https://www.aalto.fi/services/about-finland.
Contract: fixed term initially for 2 years, with a possible extension up to five years altogether | Starting date: Earliest possible | Full-time
Keywords: Quantum technologies, Microwave engineering, Low-Temperature physics, Quantum Hall,
Quantum transport, Quantum Electron Optics, and Graphene.
Interested?