UQ-DTU QUANTUM: Precision sensing with dissipation-engineered nanomechanical devices, $27,082 (AUD) per year for 4 years

The University of Queensland (UQ) and Denmark Technical University (DTU) have partnered on a Joint PhD Supervision Program to bolster our joint global research impact. Through the UQ-DTU Joint PhD Supervision Program you can receive a scholarship to study at two leading universities on projects with supervisors from each institution guiding your research. You will be associated with UQ as the lead institution, however, you will spend at least 6 months at DTU over the course of your degree.

The motion of nanomechanical devices encodes detailed information about their environment. This allows exceptionally precise sensing of stimuli such as acceleration, molecular makers for disease, trace gas concentrations... Recently, efforts to quantum control nanomechanical motion have greatly improved our ability to engineer the mechanical dissipation of such devices. This provides the prospect of vast performance enhancements in sensing applications. This project will use dissipation-engineering to develop ultraprecise sensing platforms, and apply them in areas such as fingerprinting of pharmaceuticals, inertial sensing and single molecule sensing.

The project will be undertaken within the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, the Australian Centre for Engineered Quantum Systems and the Centre of Excellence for Nanomechanical Sensors and Actuators at Denmark Technical University; providing a rich environment for world leading research in quantum biophysics.

The ideal candidate would have a strong academic background, and experimental experience in quantum physics or biophotonics.

This scholarship will be awarded to the first competitive applicant submitting an application.