Seven postdoctoral and three PhD positions on the interface between
Quantum Technology and Fundamental Physics


We are announcing the opening of seven postdoctoral and three PhD positions for addressing fundamental questions related to the early universe and black holes. The essential physical processes of interest occur when gravitational interactions are strong, and quantum effects are important. These situations are difficult to observe and impossible to experiment with. The pressing need for experimental verification of these ideas coincides with huge experimental advances by the quantum technology community. We have formed an interdisciplinary consortium uniting the quantum technology and fundamental physics communities to merge these strands of investigation by employing analogue quantum simulators. The consortium is an interactive network of scientists from seven UK-based research organisations located in St.Andrews, Cambridge, King's College London, Newcastle, Nottingham, University College London and Royal Holloway University of London.


Postdoctoral fellowships will be available in the following areas:


* Field Theory Modelling for Laboratory Analogues of the Early Universe (University College London): one postdoctoral position to work on computational modelling of non-linear and non-equilibrium phenomena, as related to quantum simulators of the early universe based on ultra-cold atom experiments. Contacts: Hiranya Peiris (h.peiris@ucl.ac.uk) and Andrew Pontzen (a.pontzen@ucl.ac.uk) Deadline: end of January 2021 (TBC)


* Black Hole Theory Modelling for Laboratory Analogues of Black Holes (King’s College London): one position to work on modelling of quantum black hole processes related to the experimental quantum black hole simulators in optical fibres and hybrid superfluid optomechanical devices at low temperature. Contact: Ruth Gregory (ruth.gregory@kcl.ac.uk) Deadline: end of January 2021 (TBC)


* Experimental ultra-cold Atoms Systems for Laboratory Analogues of the Early Universe (Cambridge University): one postdoctoral position to work on an ultracold-atom experiment for quantum simulation of non-linear and non-equilibrium processes in the early universe. This work will be based on cold-atom technology, and in particular optical box traps. Contact: Zoran Hadzibabic (zh10001@cam.ac.uk) Deadline: end of March 2021 (TBC)


* Experimental Fibre Optics Systems for Laboratory Analogues of Black Holes (St. Andrews University): one postdoctoral position to work on the measurement of oscillations of analogue optical black holes. This system is based on nonlinear fibre optics and tools from quantum optics. Contact: Friedrich Koenig (fewk@st-andrews.ac.uk) Deadline: 14 February 2021 (TBC)


* Experimental Superfluid Optomechanics systems, Interferometry and Nanofabrication for Laboratory Analogues of Black Holes (Royal Holloway University of London and Nottingham University): three open postdoctoral and three PhD positions to work on the measurement of hybrid superfluid optomechanical devices at low temperature. This work involves the development of experimental tools to build analogue systems of black holes. The experimental tools in place include state-of-the-art nanofabrication and low temperature facilities, and quantum optomechanics (RF & Optical) platforms. Contacts: Xavier Rojas (xavier.rojas@rhul.ac.uk) and Silke Weinfurtner (silke.weinfurtner@nottingham.ac.uk<mailto:silke.weinfurtner@nottingham.ac.uk>). Deadline: 14 February 2021 (TBC)



For enquiries about a specific position use the contact details listed above. For general information you may also contact Silke Weinfurtner (silke.weinfurtner@nottingham.ac.uk<mailto:silke.weinfurtner@nottingham.ac.uk>).


UK consortium: Carlo F Barenghi (Newcastle), Thomas Billam (Newcastle), Ruth Gregory (King’s College London), Gregoire Ithier (RHUL), Zoran Hadzibabic (Cambridge), Friedrich Koenig (St. Andrews), Jorma Louko (Nottingham), Ian Moss (Newcastle), John Owers-Bradley (Nottingham), Hiranya Peiris (UCL), Andrew Pontzen (UCL), Xavier Rojas (RHUL), Pierre Verlot (Nottingham) an Silke Weinfurtner (Nottingham).


External collaborators: Jonathan Braden (CITA, Canada), Matthew Johnson (Perimeter Institute, Canada), Bill Unruh (UBC, Canada), Ralf Schuetzhold (Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Germany), Joerg Schmiedmayer (TU Vienna, Austria).