2-4 Doctoral Researcher Positions in the Quantum Doctoral (QDoc) Pilot programme

The Quantum Doctoral (QDoc) pilot programme, the University of Turku, Finland, is inviting applications for 2-4 fixed-term doctoral researcher positions. Two of the positions starts on 1 August 2024 and two on 1 January 2025, or by mutual agreement. The duration of the position is three years.

The positions are related to the Quantum Doctoral (QDoc) pilot program, which aims to educate a new generation of doctoral researchers on quantum-based technologies. QDoc is part of the Finnish Quantum Flagship, coordinated by Aalto University, Finland. Finnish Quantum Flagship is an 8-year project incorporating research, and industrial development in quantum technologies in Finland and internationally. Read more: https://instituteq.fi/qdoc/.

Job description

We are now looking for doctoral researchers for a three-year fixed-term contract, funded by the national QDoc doctoral education pilot. If the applicant does not have the right to study for a doctoral degree at the University of Turku, they must apply for the right to study for a doctoral degree via the Studyinfo.fi -service from the EXACTUS doctoral programme.  The right to study is a prerequisite for starting the employment position. For more details regarding the right to study call and eligibility criteria, please see (EXACTUS). From the perspectives of both the progress of studies and research and integration into the academic community, the people selected for postgraduate education are required to possess fluent oral and written communication skills in English. Please carefully check the language requirements on the website of the University of Turku Graduate School: https://www.utu.fi/en/research/utugs/how-to-apply/language

The position cannot be filled by an individual who has already completed a doctoral degree or has been granted the right to study for a doctoral degree before November 1, 2023.  

The dissertations of the doctoral researchers are focused on research projects conducted at the University of Turku which are supporting the aims and goals of the Finnish Quantum Flagship. The projects that are searching for doctoral researchers are:

1.  Polaritonic quantum battery
   • We investigate the quantum effects, such as superabsorption, in organic microcavities and their potential for experimental realization of a quantum battery. In particular we explore the experimental feasibility superextensive scaling of the charging power, which may lead to new breakthroughs in harnessing quantum advantage in battery technology.
   • We are looking for highly motivated researchers to work in an international environment. Being a member of our team will allow you to benefit from a superb scientific environment and grow your network substantially. The tasks of this position will involve theory development, model selection and experimental investigations. The doctoral candidate position is required to have a MSc degree either in Theoretical Physics, Physics, Photonics or in a related field.
   • Starting time: 1 August 2024 or 1 January 2025, or by mutual agreement
   • Supervisors: Kimmo Luoma and Konstantinos Daskalakis

2. Open Quantum Systems, Decoherence, and Quantum Protocols  
   • Quantum systems are fragile and lose easily their quantum properties via decoherence. Therefore, the study of open quantum systems plays an important role in modern quantum physics including its technological applications. This project develops modelling schemes for general decoherence mechanisms and develops a framework for protecting quantum properties in the presence of noise with applications to quantum protocols with photonics and linear optical systems.
   • We are looking for highly motivated researchers to work in a project including a long-standing and fruitful international collaboration on open quantum systems. Being a member of our team, allows to participate and contribute to contemporary research on quantum physics within international research environment. The tasks of this position involve theory development, both analytical and numerical calculations, and simulations within the framework of open quantum systems and quantum protocols. The project emphasizes the experimental realizability of the developed theoretical schemes in collaborator’s laboratory with linear optical and photonics systems. The doctoral candidate position is required to have a MSc degree in Physics, Theoretical Physics or in a related field.
   • Starting time: 1 August 2024 or 1 January 2025, or by mutual agreement
   • Supervisors: Jyrki Piilo and Tom Kuusela

3.  Experiments with the Quantum Gas of Atomic Hydrogen (QAH)
   • In the atomic hydrogen group (https://hturku.utu.fi) of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Turku, we are studying a gas of spin-polarized hydrogen atoms at the conditions of lowest thermal energies. We are aiming of reaching and studying a variety of quantum effects, including Bose-Einstein Condensation, precision optical spectroscopy, Gravitational Quantum States. The gas is magnetically trapped in a large Ioffe-Pritchard trap and evaporatively cooled by lowering the trap barrier. Two photon 1S-2S optical spectroscopy is used for the diagnostics.
   • We are looking for a doctoral researcher interested in experimental Physics at low temperatures and techniques of laser spectroscopy in the UV range. The work will be performed in the international team of researchers as a part of a collaboration GRASIAN (Gravity, Spectroscopy and Interferometry with Atoms and Neutrons, https://grasian.eu/).
   • Starting time: 1 August 2024 or 1 January 2025, or by mutual agreement
   • Supervisors: Sergey Vasiliev and Kalle-Antti Suominen

4.  Small magnetic quantum systems as novel radiosensitizer drugs
   • Radiosensitizers are drugs that enhance the tumor-destroying effect of X-rays in cancer treatment. This project studies how the existing and potential randisensitizer molecules react to the absorption of X-rays at a small quantum system level. We use ion, electron and coincident spectroscopic methods, especially at the synchrotron radiation facilities, to reconstruct their radiation-induced dynamics. Combined with theoretical modeling, the aim is both to understand the behaviour of these systems as well as to guide in finding novel, more efficient radiosensitizers. In a further novel applied aspect of this project, we will explore both magnetic and radiosensitizing properties Gd-containing molecules, which can enhance the contrast in MRI. The project is planned as a close collaboration with Sorbonne University, with a possible Cotutelle double degree supervisorship.
   • We are looking for a motivated and committed doctoral researcher with a keen interest in the hidden world in the quantum scale. The position offers very versatile opportunities from instrumental development, experiments, data analysis to coding and theoretical modeling. The working involves periods of intense experimental sessions at large-scale facilities in a very international environment. The candidate is required to have a Master’s degree in physics or chemistry and to have a solid MSc-level knowledge of atomic and molecular physics and quantum mechanics. Previous experience with experimental spectroscopy and/or computational modeling is advantageous.
   • Starting time: 1 August 2024 or 1 January 2025, or by mutual agreement
   • Supervisors: Edwin Kukk, Petriina Paturi

The doctoral researcher's tasks include conducting their own doctoral research and completing doctoral courses. In addition, the position may involve participation of doctoral training events of the QDoc program.

The target time for completing a doctoral degree is three years.

The position starts on 1 August 2024, 1 January 2025 or by mutual agreement and lasts for three years.