Experimental AMO Physicist

planqc; München; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working hours

Hybrid work arrangement

Company pension (Betriebliche Altersv)

Health and fitness programs (EGYM Well

Learning and conference participation

Relocation and visa support

Multiple locations in Germany

Job summary

planqc is seeking experimental AMO physicists to contribute to the design, construction, and optimization of neutral-atom quantum processors. You will work with a diverse team across hardware, software, electronics, and algorithm research to push the frontier of quantum hardware.

You'll lead hands-on experiments, diagnose noise sources, and translate results into improvements. This role offers an opportunity to shape scalable quantum systems at a growing quantum startup with international

Qualifications

• PhD or Postdoc in AMO physics is required.
• Strong hands-on experience building/operating neutral-atom platforms.
• Excellent analytical skills and ability to analyze experimental data.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, characterize, and optimize state-of-the-art neutral-atom quantum computers.
• Develop and execute measuring campaigns on the quantum processor and track system performance.
• Investigate noise, decoherence, and infidelity; diagnose limits and implement mitigations.
• Analyze experimental data to extract physical insight and guide improvements.
• Stay current with advances in AMO physics and quantum information; apply relevant developments.

Skills

PhD/Postdoc in AMO physics

Hands-on experience with neutral-atom/

Experimental debugging

Data analysis with Python

Publications in AMO/quantum info

Experiment control & DAQ

Education

PhD in AMO physics

Postdoc in AMO physics

Tools

Python

Job description

Your mission

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.

Your 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: systematically diagnose the 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

What you bring

• 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 lattices
  • Rydberg atoms
  • Two-valence-electron atoms
  • Atomic clocks or atomic interferometers
  • Quantum gates and quantum computation with atoms

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

Why join planqc

At planqc, you will work on one of the most promising quantum computing architectures alongside a highly driven and collaborative team spanning physics, engineering, and software.

We combine deep-tech research with an engineering mindset, turning scientific breakthroughs into scalable quantum systems.

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

Benefits At Planqc

• 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.

About Us

planqc builds neutral-atom quantum computers based on arrays of optically trapped atoms controlled with high-precision laser systems. Our platform combines technologies from optical lattice clocks, quantum gas microscopes and fast Rydberg gates into a scalable computing architecture.

Founded in 2022 as a spin-off from MPQ and LMU Munich, we translate more than a decade of AMO research into deployable quantum systems. Our work spans vacuum and laser hardware, control electronics, firmware, system software and algorithm integration. We focus on turning complex experimental setups into stable, reproducible systems that operate in real computing environments.

Behind this technology is a team that pushes technical boundaries, values open exchange and shared ownership. Physicists, engineers, software developers and business specialists work closely together, often across disciplinary limits. We believe progress comes from combining deep expertise with practical engineering and from giving people the responsibility and trust to shape their domain.

As we grow across our locations in Garching, Ulm, and Innsbruck, we continue to build a company where people take ownership, learn from each other, and directly shape the systems we bring into operation.