Experimental AMO Physicist

Entangled Future; Garching bei München, Ulm; Hybrid; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working hours

Company pension (Betriebliche Altersv

Health and fitness with EGYM Wellpass

Job bike program

Learning and development and annualכן

Relocation and visa support

Multiple locations in Germany and Inns

Job summary

planqc is a German neutral-atom quantum computing company built on research from the Max-Planck-Institute for Quantum Optics. The role focuses on designing, building, and optimizing state-of-the-art neutral-atom quantum processors with a highly interdisciplinary team in Germany and Austria.

You will own quantum systems from day one, work with hardware engineers, software developers, and quantum algorithm researchers, and contribute to a fast-growing quantum startup at a pivotal stage.

Qualifications

• PhD or Postdoc in AMO physics.
• Strong hands-on experience building or operating a neutral-atom platform or comparable hardware.
• Strong experimental instincts in systematic debugging and performance optimization.
• Ability to take ownership of complex physical systems and drive them forward independently.
• Excellent analytical skills and comfort working with experimental data.
• Track record of peer‑reviewed publications in AMO physics or quantum information.
• Proficiency in experiment control, data acquisition, or data analysis (Python preferred).
• A research background in optical tweezer arrays / optical lattices, Rydberg atoms, two‑valence-electron atoms, atomic clocks or atomic interferometers, or quantum gates and computation with atoms.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, characterize, and optimize state-of-the-art neutral-atom quantum computers.
• Develop and execute measuring campaigns on the quantum processor, track system performance, and maintain stable operating conditions.
• Investigate sources of noise, decoherence, and infidelity: diagnose limiting factors, propose and implement mitigation strategies.
• Analyze experimental data rigorously to extract physical insight and guide system improvements.
• Stay current with advances in AMO physics and quantum information science and bring relevant developments into the team's work.

Skills

Ownership mindset

Rigorous debugging

Collaborative teamwork

Passion for experimental AMO

Independent drive

Education

PhD or Postdoc in AMO physics

Tools

Python

Job description

At planqc, we are building scalable quantum computers based on neutral atoms — one of the most promising platforms for achieving useful, fault-tolerant quantum computation. This role is made for experimental AMO physicists who want to build state-of-the-art quantum computers. You will bring your deep AMO expertise to the design, construction, characterization, and continuous improvement of our neutral-atom quantum processing unit. You will be part of a large, diverse team, working shoulder to shoulder with hardware engineers, software developers, electronics specialists, and quantum algorithm researchers.

What characterizes you

• You are passionate about pushing the frontiers of experimental AMO physics
• You take ownership and drive complex physical systems forward independently
• You are rigorous and detail-oriented, and enjoy systematically diagnosing sources of noise and error
• You thrive in a collaborative, interdisciplinary team environment
• You are motivated by turning fundamental physics into real, working quantum hardware

Joining us means

• Working on cutting-edge neutral atom quantum hardware
• Taking ownership of quantum systems from day one
• Collaborating with an exceptional, international team across disciplines
• Contributing to a fast-growing quantum startup at a pivotal stage

What you'll do

• 01 Design, build, characterize, and optimize state-of-the-art neutral-atom quantum computers
• 02 Develop and execute measuring campaigns on the quantum processor, track system performance, and maintain stable operating conditions
• 03 Investigate sources of noise, decoherence, and infidelity: systematically diagnose the limiting factors, propose and implement mitigation strategies
• 04 Analyze experimental data rigorously to extract physical insight and guide system improvements
• 05 Stay current with advances in AMO physics and quantum information science and bring relevant developments into the team's work

What they're looking for

• PhD or Postdoc in AMO physics
• Strong hands-on experience building or operating a neutral-atom platform or comparable hardware platforms
• Strong experimental instincts in systematic debugging and performance optimization
• Ability to take ownership of complex physical systems and drive them forward independently
• Excellent analytical skills and comfort working with experimental data
• Track record of peer-reviewed publications in AMO physics or quantum information
• Proficiency in experiment control, data acquisition, or data analysis (Python preferred)
• A research background in one or more of the following areas is a strong asset:Optical tweezer arrays / optical latticesRydberg atomsTwo-valence-electron atomsAtomic clocks or atomic interferometersQuantum gates and quantum computation with atoms

Pay and benefits

• Flexible working. Flexible hours and hybrid work where the role allows.
• Company pension. Betriebliche Altersvorsorge with an employer contribution.
• Health and fitness. EGYM Wellpass for gyms, pools and studios, plus regular Health Days.
• Job bike. Lease a bike through planqc.
• Learning and development. Trainings and conference participation, including international conferences. Plus regular internal learning sessions where colleagues share their knowledge.
• Relocation and visa support. Practical support for international hires and their move to Germany or Austria.
• Four locations. Headquarters in Garching, an office in central Munich, plus sites in Ulm and Innsbruck.
• Team culture. Regular team and company events throughout the year, from after work socials to our summer and Christmas parties.

planqc is a German neutral-atom quantum computing company built on research from the Max-Planck-Institute for Quantum Optics. Its technology uses individual atoms confined in crystals of light as qubits, and the company has demonstrated scaling of neutral atoms to 1,200 qubits.