A fully funded PhD position is available to work within the Quantum Technology group at Queen's University Belfast (QTeQ). Applications are open and available at the portal

http://web.am.qub.ac.uk/wp/ctamop/postgrad/

Tentative starting date is late January/beginning of February 2018 or as soon as possible afterwards.

The scope of this project is to ascertain the ultimate limits (if any!) of the quantum framework at the large-scale limit. We will work on a specific setting of enormous potential, namely the dynamics of a levitated nano-particle embedded into an optical cavity and driven by light.

We will make use of the unique approach to the revelation of possible deviations from the paradigm of standard quantum theory put forward by QTeQ's members. The methodology is based on a combination of advanced theoretical techniques in quantum information processing and quantum optics, and is designed to investigate possible deviations from the predictions of quantum mechanics induced by exotic collapse mechanisms.

The massive nature of the particle being considered will also pave the way to the assessment of the possible quantum character of gravity, a problem that will be developed, within this project, with the aims of inferring gravity-induced spoiling effects on the dynamics of the levitated system.

The project will be developed within the pan-European consortium investigating project TEQ (Testing the large-scale limit of quantum mechanics), which comprises experimentalists working on levitated nanoparticles (UCL, Southampton), specialists of cavity trapping (Aarhus), leading material scientists (ITI, Genoa), and world-class theorists interested in collapse models and the interplay between quantum mechanics and gravity (Trieste, Vienna).

Please, check http://web.am.qub.ac.uk/wp/qo/ for further information on the QTeQ group.

The bursary comprises an EU-funded stipend and generous resources for training and travelling, including visits to scientific collaborators in Aarhus, London, Southampton, Trieste, and Vienna.