QuantIC Industrial PhD studentship - mid infrared photon counting with superconducting nanowires

PhD in Engineering: Mid infrared single-photon detection with superconducting nanowires

QuantIC, the UK National Quantum Technology Hub for Quantum Enhanced Imaging is looking to recruit for a PhD in single-photon detection at mid infrared wavelengths using advanced quantum detectors based on superconducting nanowires.

Part of the £1 billion UK National Quantum Technologies Programme (NQTP), this is an industry led studentship co-funded by Single Quantum BV, the Netherlands, and the University of Glasgow. Students will benefit from collaborating closely with Single Quantum, developing valuable skills and a range of approaches that are not available in an academic setting alone.

About the Project

This QuantIC industrial studentship will provide an exciting and rewarding training opportunity for a doctoral student to work at the cutting edge of single-photon detection for quantum technologies. 

The Quantum Sensors group in the James Watt School of Engineering at the University of Glasgow (led by Professor Robert Hadfield) is the UK’s leading research group on superconducting single-photon detectors, and a partner in the QuantIC and QComm quantum technology hubs. These devices set the gold standard for low noise, high speed, high efficiency single photon detection in broad spectrum of quantum technology applications. Key application areas include single photon LIDAR, ghost imaging, spectroscopy for molecular detection and ground-to-space quantum communications. 

Single Quantum BV (https://singlequantum.com/) is Europe’s leading company in the superconducting single-photon detector arena. A spin-out of TU Delft NL, Single Quantum has grown to almost 50 employees in under a decade, serves customers worldwide, including top research groups in quantum technologies and industrial R&D labs. Single Quantum offer superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors with near unity efficiency at 1550 nm housed in practical closed-cycle systems; extension to mid infrared wavelengths and scale up to large device arrays and arrays are clear strategic priorities to open up new markets in photon counting applications.

The QuantIC industrial student will be engaged  in next generation superconducting nanowire device development and will deploy these detectors in custom cryogenic systems for single-photon imaging, spectroscopy and remote sensing applications. This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious student with a background in engineering or physics, with a strong interest in applied quantum technologies.

Entry requirements

Places will be awarded on a competitive basis. Applicants should have a 1st class or 2.1 degree at MEng, MSc or MPhys level (or equivalent) from an electrical engineering, materials science or physics programme. Additional research or relevant industrial experience is valued. Exceptional candidates with BSc or BEng qualifications will also be considered.

How to Apply

Please send your CV, with contact details of two referees and a cover letter outlining why you are interested in this PhD to [Email Address Removed]