Open positions

We are always on the lookout for high-quality PhD students or postdoctoral researchers to work within the research groups here within the Experimental Quantum Optics and Photonics Group.

Please see also events and open positions of our Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Applied Quantum Technologies.

PhD Studentship Vacancies

PhD students typically begin in October, however applications are accepted throughout the year. Students will join a vibrant cohort of over 30 students working on both fundamental and applied quantum technologies and receive focused graduate training in experimental atomic physics and quantum optics.

Students (including non-European students) with an excellent track record can apply for a SUPA prize PhD studentship with us and other PhD scholarship options at Strathclyde are shown here. Below, we give details of current fully-funded projects available. If you would like to know more about the projects in a given area or to work in something not listed below, please email the relevant member of academic staff for details.

The available projects listed below are fully-funded for the October intake; however, there is some flexibility for a deferred start. Please contact the named academic supervisor for information.

Lithium Quantum Microscope for Fermionic Quantum Simulations

From 2025, we offer a PhD position in the development and construction of a new quantum-gas microscope with fermionic lithium aimed at taking this control to the next level via digital quantum gates. Such gate-based control, as known from quantum computers, will allow us to address even more complex quantum problems, for example, from high-temperature superconductivity or quantum chemistry.

Apr 5, 2025

Lithium Quantum Microscope for Fermionic Quantum Simulations

Demonstration of Deterministic QC with one clean qubit (DQC1) on a neutral atom array

We are seeking a PhD student to work on demonstration of Deterministic QC with one clean qubit (DQC1) on a neutral atom array.

Mar 1, 2025

Quantum-gas microscopy of many-body quantum states in programmable light potentials

Unlock the mysteries of many-body quantum systems in this PhD project, where ultracold atoms in optical lattices are manipulated with quantum-gas microscopes! Explore novel quantum states, study the impact of disordered lattice potentials, and create intricate spin distributions—all paving the way for groundbreaking discoveries in materials science, chemistry, and biology.

Jan 1, 2025

Quantum-gas microscopy of many-body quantum states in programmable light potentials

Self-organized magnetic and droplet states for quantum technologies

We are looking at the spontaneous emergence of intriguing spatial structures (stripes, hexagons, droplets …) and their dynamics in cold atoms via light-mediated interactions. The investigations timely link the fundamental field of emergent phases in many-body open quantum systems to potential applications in quantum technologies.

Jun 25, 2024

Self-organized magnetic and droplet states for quantum technologies

SI-traceable atomic thermometry

You will be part of a new research area for the UK, namely making absolute and traceable measurements of temperature using optical measurements of the Doppler broadening of an atomic transition. The aim is to scale to practical (~mm sized) sensors using miniature optical cells filled with appropriate atomic/molecular species. This project is in conjunction with external collaborative partner Graham Machin at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL).

Nov 28, 2023

Advancing the stability and accuracy of a laser-cooled microwave atomic clock

The atomic clock team are looking to develop ultra-compact platforms to provide atomic timing and frequency references. The team have an experimental position to develop compact and robust laser-cooled atomic clocks with a fractional accuracy on the level of 10^-15, equvalent to a timing accuracy on the scale of a nanosecond in a week, for research, industry, and space applications

Nov 1, 2023

Advancing the stability and accuracy of a laser-cooled microwave atomic clock

Quantum Error Correction in a dual species Rydberg Array (QuERy)

The QuERy project is focused on development of a dual-species platform for neutral atom quantum computing to address the major barriers to scaling existing platforms from 100s to thousands of qubits, namely extending atom array trapping lifetimes through integration in a cryogenic environment and enabling active error correction through the ability to perform cross-talk free, state-selective local measurements.

Oct 26, 2023

Quantum Error Correction in a dual species Rydberg Array (QuERy)

Scalable Qubit Arrays for Quantum Computation and Optimisation

This project will utilise the advanced SQuAre neutral atom quantum computing platform developed at Strathclyde, offering up to 225 qubits. The aim is to perform pioneering demonstrations of small-scale digital and analogue algorithms relevant for addressing industrially relevant real-world problems relating to optimisation as well as studies of many-body quantum systems.

Oct 26, 2023

Scalable Qubit Arrays for Quantum Computation and Optimisation

High Fidelity Entanglement in a trapped ion chain

We are seeking to recruit a PhD student to work embedded within the trapped ion team at NPL lead by Dr. Alastair Sinclair to demonstrate multi-qubit entanglement in a 1D ion chain suitable for next-generation quantum metrology.

May 1, 2023

High Fidelity Entanglement in a trapped ion chain

Postdoctoral researcher vacancies

We are always keen to recruit motivated post-doctoral researchers and typically have funding available for excellent candidates. Current vacancies are listed below, however if you don’t see a vacancy for the research project you are interested in please contact the lead academic for information on current and future opportunities to join our teams.

Research Assiciate - Lithium Quantum Microscope for Fermionic Quantum Simulations

A position is available for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the new Fermionic Quantum Simulation team in an exciting research project at the intersection of neutral-atom quantum simulations and quantum computing. Funded by the European Union under ERC Grant FOrbQ, we will use a quantum-gas microscope to manipulate the dynamics of ultracold fermions in optical lattices at the single-atom level, utilising high-fidelity programmable quantum gates.

Apr 5, 2025

Research Assiciate - Lithium Quantum Microscope for Fermionic Quantum Simulations

Research Associate in Experimental Ultracold Quantum Mixtures

We have an open position for a postdoctoral researcher to join the Quantum Fluids research team to help develop a state-of-the-art K-Rb quantum-mixture apparatus. The apparatus will enable studies of vortex dynamics in binary superfluids, with a particular emphasis on reduced dimensionality (e.g., quasi-2D disc, or quasi-1D ring geometries) where quantum fluctuations are enhanced.

Aug 14, 2024