The open PhD position will be to work in the theory group of Professor Cristiano Ciuti, who was recently awarded a European Research Council (ERC) Grant entitled ‘Theory of strongly correlated photonic systems’ (CORPHO).
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In artificial quantum system (such as photonic microstructures or superconducting quantum circuits), it is now possible to have strong interactions between photons confined in a cavity (photon box). By considering lattices of coupled cavities, researchers can realize in a controlled way strongly correlated photonic systems with fascinating quantum phases originating from the competition between photon hopping between cavities, photon-photon repulsion/attraction on the same cavity site, optical pumping and photon dissipation. The complexity of these out-of-equilibrium systems increases exponentially with the number of cavity sites, representing an enormous theoretical challenge. The project CORPHO will explore original ideas to develop novel theoretical methods of non-equilibrium quantum manybody physics to investigate and predict quantum phases of these new systems. This field of research is attracting a great deal of interest at the international level both for the study of strongly correlated systems and for quantum device applications.

Strong background in quantum physics is welcome, particularly with elements of quantum optics and condensed matter physics. Both analytical and numerical skills are highly appreciated.

At least 2 recommendation letters are encouraged, plus scores of university exams or other documents proving high-level of education are also welcome.