High-Tc superconductor kinetic-inductance engineering for improved Electron Spin Resonance

Aix Marseille University; France; Sur place; EUR 29 000 - 34 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Aix-Marseille University, via the IM2NP department, invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher to advance ESR-based superconducting quantum technologies. The project will design, fabricate, and characterize HTS microwave resonators and their tunable kinetic inductance, enabling ESR above 1 K.

The successful candidate will hold a Ph.D. in physics or a related field, with a strong background in experimental condensed matter and quantum physics, and proficiency in Python coding and

Qualifications

• PhD in physics, nanosciences, or equivalent.
• Solid background in experimental condensed matter and quantum physics.
• Motivation in instrumental development; knowledge of superconducting microwave circuits and/or ESR is a plus.

Responsabilités

• Design, fabricate, and characterize HTS microwave resonators and tunable kinetic inductance.
• Develop ESR-based spectrometric approaches for high-sensitivity measurements.
• Contribute to the larger goal of enabling ESR above 1 K in quantum technologies.

Connaissances

Experimental condensed matter physics

Python coding

Electromagnetic simulations

Superconducting microwave circuits

Formation

PhD in physics

Outils

Laboratory instrumentation

Description du poste

Organisation/Company Aix Marseille University Department IM2NP Research Field Physics » Solid state physics Physics » Quantum mechanics Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 15 Oct 2026 - 17:00 (Europe/Paris) Country France Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 1 Dec 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) is a highly sensitive spectroscopic technique for probing paramagnetic species and spin dynamics in materials with unpaired electrons, and it plays a central role in the development of quantum technologies. Superconducting quantum circuits, another quantum technologies hardware, operating at millikelvin temperatures, have enabled quantum‑limited detection and novel sensing architectures. Their integration with ESR has led to significant gains in sensitivity, down to extremely small ensembles of spins and coherent spin dynamics.
Most current superconducting ESR platforms, however, are based on low‑Tc superconductors and are restricted to millikelvin operation. This is a major limitation for many ESR applications—especially those involving molecular systems, radicals, or chemically relevant dynamics that require temperatures above 1 K. Extending superconducting ESR into this temperature range is therefore a critical step for broader impact. High‑Tc superconductors (HTS) are a promising route to address this issue. HTS resonators can retain low microwave loss and high quality factors over a wide temperature range, making it possible to operate well above the limits of conventional low‑Tc devices while maintaining high ESR sensitivity.
In low‑Tc materials, the kinetic inductance has been engineered for in‑situ frequency tuning and parametric interactions, leading to new ESR detection schemes and major sensitivity gains at millikelvin temperatures. This project proposes to translate and generalize that approach to HTS resonators for ESR above 1 K. Concretely, we will design, fabricate, and characterize HTS microwave resonators and its tunable kinetic inductance, to finally use them as the basis for a broadband ESR spectrometer operating above 1 K. This platform aim to provide wide frequency coverage with high sensitivity and will offer new possibilities to explore ESR spectra, and coherent spin dynamics in a variety of quantum‑relevant systems, including but not limited to rare‑earth ions and other promising spin ensembles.

Requirements

Research Field Physics » Solid state physics Education Level PhD or equivalent

Research Field Physics » Quantum mechanics Education Level PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

The candidate must hold a Ph.D. in physics, nanosciences, or an equivalent. He/she should have a solid background in experimental condensed matter and quantum physics and be strongly motivated in instrumental development. Knowledges in superconducting microwave circuits and/or continuous and pulsed-waves ESR would strongly strengthen the candidate’s application. Skills in Python coding and electromagnetic simulations would also be appreciated.

Specific Requirements

The candidate must hold a Ph.D. in physics, nanosciences, or an equivalent.

He/she should have a solid background in experimental condensed matter and quantum physics.

Languages ENGLISH Level Good

Additional Information

Funding : ANR HIGHPOINT-EPR, for a 2 years contract.

Gross salary : from 2616.35 to 3062.56€/month, depending on experience.

Eligibility criteria

The candidate must hold a Ph.D. in physics, nanosciences, or an equivalent.

Selection process

Candidates selected for the next stage will be invited to a 30-60-minute videoconference interview. During the interview, candidates will be asked to present their previous research and relevant professional experience, followed by a discussion of the proposed postdoctoral project.

Additional comments

The starting date is flexible; the position will start as soon as a suitable candidate is identified.