Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Quantum Optical Control of Spin Defects

Solid-state spin-photon interfaces are central to emerging quantum technologies, such as optical quantum networks and nanoscale quantum sensors. Optically active spin defects in wide bandgap solids are a prime example: defects that exhibit a deterministic interaction between emitted photons and electronic and nuclear spins are required for photon-mediated entanglement for quantum networks. Optical readout of electronic and nuclear spins on the single-spin level can give rise to nanoscale sensors of magnetic and electric field, temperature and pressure.

Our group’s expertise is in the discovery of new, scalable systems for quantum optical technologies [1]. For example, we have recently discovered that two-dimensional materials, namely hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), host bright single photon emitting defects with quantum coherent electronic spins at room temperature [2]. Now our main objective is to transform this 2D material system to a platform for quantum technologies. To achieve this goal, this project will advance the spin and optical control of defects in optimised hBN material via a combination of quantum optical and magnetic resonance techniques. This effort will be combined with ongoing work in the group on the optimisation of the hBN material, defect engineering, and device integration, alongside theory and modelling, which we perform in collaboration with a wide group of world-leading material scientists, theorists and electron microscopists.

We are looking for an excellent post-doctoral candidate to drive this project. Ideally, the candidate would have a PhD degree (or near completion) in quantum optics, solid-state quantum physics, magnetic resonance or related areas. The successful candidate will be part of our research team and involved in designing and implementing experiments, disseminating our work via writing research articles and giving oral presentations at conferences, and participating in the training and mentoring of PhD students. The candidate will benefit from the active research environment within quantum-related research in Oxford and will receive support and mentoring towards their own career development.

[1] Nature Communications, 13, 618 (2022), ACS Nano, 13, 4 (2019)
[2] arXiv 2408.10348 (2024), Nature Materials, 23, 1379–1385 (2024)