We offer a 3-years PhD position (for UK or French nationals only) for a motivated researcher to join our work on applications of quantum magnetometry to complex 2D materials and heterostructures. This is a joint PhD position with the group of Prof Jean-Francois Roch at ENS Saclay, and the student will have the opportunity to spend a (fully-funded) research stay in Paris. The proposed project involves using state-of-the-art quantum magnetometer, based on a sensor as small as a single spin, to map magnetism in complex 2D heterostructures. In Edinburgh, the student will have access to a >£2M experimental facility for scanning quantum magnetometry, while work in Paris will be performed using a unique quantum magnetometer embedded in a diamond anvil cell, for high-pressure measurements.

Where: the research will be primarily carried out in the Quantum Photonics Lab at Heriot-Watt University (Edinburgh, UK), under the supervision of Dr Cristian Bonato and Prof Brian Gerardot. The Quantum Photonics Lab works on quantum devices in different material platforms, such as diamond, SiC, “beyond graphene” 2D materials, rare-earth doped crystals and III-V semiconductors. The lab hosts state-of-the-art facilities, including seven T=4K cryostats, one dilution refrigerator for optical measurements, one scanning quantum magnetometer, superconducting single-photon detectors, tuneable lasers and radio-frequency equipment for high-fidelity spin manipulation.

Who: we are looking for a motivated candidate, with a passion for experiments, to start before 01/01/2023. Working on this project will provide the opportunity to collaborate with a large network of European academic groups and companies and to perform some exciting experiments at the frontier of quantum physics. Additionally, the student will develop valuable high-tech skills in fast electronics, photonics, microwave engineering, cryogenics, scanning probe microscopy, programming and data analysis.
The funder restricts appointments for this specific position to UK/French nationals. International candidates with outstanding CVs are encouraged to get in touch and we will discuss the possibility with the funder on a case to case basis.

Please contact Dr Cristian Bonato (c.bonato@hw.ac.uk) for inquiries (as soon as possible).