We are looking for a highly motivated PhD student to work on the theoretical investigation of collective behaviour in the presence of long-range and all-to-all interactions and controllable dissipation .

To do so, our focus will be on Rydberg atoms, which are atoms that exhibit long-range interactions on the micrometer scale and are thus hot candidates for quantum computation and quantum simulation. Optical cavities can mediate interactions between atoms on even longer length scales that are only limited by the size of the cavity. Such infinite-range interactions can lead to massive collective effects of atoms in the cavity, which can be investigated via the famous Dicke-Ising model. On the other hand, microwave cavities can mediate long-range interactions between a pair of Rydberg atoms, which permit the implementation of two-, and multi-qubit quantum gates.

The PhD will take place under the supervision of Dr. Beatriz Olmos Sanchez within the research group “Theoretical Atomic Physics and Synthetic Quantum Systems”. In addition, the PhD student will be working in close collaboration with the experimental groups of Prof. Dr. Sebastian Slama and Prof. Dr. Joszef Fortagh, which lead the experimental realization of the two setups described above.

Candidates need to have a strong background in theoretical physics, a strong academic record, commitment, and motivation to work hard.

Applications should include a CV (including publication list), a copy of the master thesis and transcripts. Applicants should also arrange for at least one recommendation letter.

All documents shall be sent to beatriz.olmos-sanchez@uni-tuebingen.de. Review of the applications will begin on July the 2nd 2022 until the position is filled. The starting date is flexible but can be as soon as possible.

This PhD position will be embedded in the Research Unit FOR 5413 ‘Long-range interacting quantum spin systems out of equilibrium: Experiment, Theory and Mathematics’ which is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). The Research Unit addresses questions concerning many-body quantum systems with long-range interactions. Its ultimate goals are the understanding, realisation and control of complex quantum matter possessing collectively enhanced yet robust properties with applications in emerging quantum technologies, such as metrology and sensing. It builds on the Center for Quantum Science at the University of Tübingen and seeks to establish a flourishing research environment that brings together an interdisciplinary group of scientists from experimental and theoretical physics as well as mathematics.

The University of Tübingen is an equal opportunity employer. All members of the Research Unit are strongly committed to increasing the number of women in research and teaching and therefore strongly encourages women to apply. Applications from persons with disabilities will be given preference in the case of equal suitability.