Job offer

CNRS and Université de Bordeaux; France; Sur place; EUR 25 000 - 30 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A leading French research institute is offering a full-time PhD position in optomechanics focusing on the interaction of light and mechanical vibrations. The candidate will work on cooling techniques for degenerate modes of mechanical membranes, supervised by experienced advisors. A good command of English and a master's degree or equivalent are required. The role provides hands-on experience in cutting-edge quantum physics research, beginning in September 2026.

Qualifications

• The candidate will implement a new cooling technique for degenerate modes of a mechanical membrane.
• Strong background in quantum mechanics required for this PhD position.
• The role requires experimental skills in optomechanics.

Responsabilités

• Conduct experiments to cool degenerate modes using spatial light modulation.
• Collaborate with advisors to explore quantum phenomena.
• Acquire skills in optomechanics and quantum physics.

Connaissances

Good English proficiency

Formation

Master Degree or equivalent

Description du poste

Organisation/Company CNRS and Université de Bordeaux Department Science de la Matière et du Rayonnement Research Field Physics Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Country France Application Deadline 1 Apr 2026 - 12:00 (Europe/Paris) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 37.5 Offer Starting Date 1 Sep 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

Project:Optomechanics explores the interaction between light and mechanical vibrations [1]. As a typical example, one can consider a Fabry-Perot cavity (i.e., optical mode), in which one of the two mirrors is vibrating (i.e., mechanical mode). These devices serve as invaluableplatforms for studying macroscopic quantum phenomena such as macroscopic quantum coherence and classical-to-quantum transition. In particular, macroscopic quantum entanglement involving two massive oscillators has recently been observed in optomechanical platforms [2]. Practically, the applicability of modern quantum technologies in optomechanical networks ultimately requires quantum entanglement of light and many vibrations—i.e., multiple degenerate mechanical modes (i.e., same frequency) used as nodes of the network [3].

To display quantum properties, a mechanical mode must be cooled down close to its ground state (i.e., down to a few quanta of vibrational energy), which is typically achieved by leveraging the optical field.Sadly, when considering multiple degenerate modes, one cannot apply conventional cooling techniques that have been devised for single modes. There,the challenge originates from the emergence of dark modes(i.e., hybridization of degenerate modes), which are decouple from the optical field and cannot be cooled (thus precluding any quantumness) [4].

Throughout this PhD, the candidate will experimentally implement a new cooling technique intended to achieve the first-ever cooling of degenerate modes of a mechanical membrane.Compared to former strategies, here, a spatial light modulator is used to spatially shape the wavefront of the light beam. Such a modulation enables to exert simultaneously adapted optical forces on each mode in order to reduce (i.e., cool) their individual vibrations. The student will be closely guided by the advisors and will acquire both theoretical and experimental skills on optomechanics, quantumphysics and spatial modulation techniques.

[3] Kimble, Nature, 2008

Where to apply

E-mail [e-mail]

Requirements

Research Field Physics » Quantum mechanics Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Languages ENGLISH Level Good

Research Field Physics » Optics

Additional Information

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Laboratoire Ondes et Matière d'Aquitaine Country France City Talence Postal Code 33405 Street Université de Bordeaux, 351 cours de la Libération Geofield