PhD Position : Hybrid spin qubit-nanomechanical interaction

COFUND QuanG; France; Sur place; EUR 25 000 - 29 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

COFUND QuanG is offering a 3-year PhD position as part of the QuanG2 PhD Call for Applications. The project focuses on quantum hybrid nano-optomechanics, coupling silicon carbide nanowires to NV center spins, with strong magnetic field gradients to explore spin-oscillator interactions.

Applicants must hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent) and comply with MSCA mobility rules, including limits on residency in France during the 36 months prior to the deadline.

Qualifications

• A theoretical background in quantum mechanics, optics and/or nano-mechanics.
• Prior knowledge in programming (Python) is welcome.
• Applicants must hold a Master’s degree or an equivalent qualification and must not already hold a doctoral degree.

Responsabilités

• Study the reverse coupling and mechanically measure the force generated by a single spin.
• Develop experimental protocols to encode spin qubit state onto oscillator position and explore spin-oscillator hybrid systems.

Connaissances

Quantum mechanics

Optics

Nano-mechanics

Python

Vacuum technology

Microwave design

Formation

Master’s degree

Outils

Python

Description du poste

Organisation/Company COFUND QuanG Research Field Physics Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 7 Sep 2026 - 12:00 (Europe/Paris) Country France Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 1 Feb 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe – COFUND Reference Number 101261699 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

General Scope:
Cooling and observation of a macroscopic mechanical oscillator in its ground quantum state, achieved in 2010-2011 in several
laboratories, now makes it possible to consider the generation of non-classical mechanical states. To do so, one strategy is to couple
this ultracold mechanical resonator to another quantum system, a qubit, with the aim of transferring its quantum nature to the
oscillator. In doing so, a hybrid mechanical system is created that couples the two basic elements of quantum mechanics [1,2].

PhD Subject:
The Quantum Hybrid Nano-Optomechanics Group at the Néel Institute [8] explores a path in which silicon carbide nanowires are coupled to the electronic spin of a color center in diamond, the NV center (for Nitrogen-Vacancy). Initial proof-of-principle experiments [1, 4] have been carried out, allowing the exploration of this hybrid spin-oscillator system consisting of an NV color center hosted in a 50 nm diameter nanocrystal deposited at the vibrating tip of a suspended SiC nanowire. By immersing the system in a strong magnetic field gradient, the spin of the color center becomes coupled to the position of the oscillator via the Zeeman effect. It has thus been shown that the vibrations of the oscillator are encoded on the electronic spin [1,4], and hybrid coupling constants have been estimated.

The goal now is to study the reverse coupling, i.e., to mechanically measure the force generated by a single spin. This will demonstrate the possibility of encoding the spin qubit state onto the position of the oscillator, thus replicating the Stern-Gerlach experiment with macroscopic objects.

To achieve this, advanced protocols for manipulating the spin qubit [3,4] will be used. Extreme force sensitivity is required, as the force exerted by the spin on the oscillator is only around ~20 aN for a gradient of 1e6 T/m. However, such sensitivity levels are well within reach, as demonstrated in a series of works that utilize the exceptional properties of nanowires to measure very small forces, both at room temperature [2,5,7] and in dilution refrigerators [6].

Required Skills:
A theoretical background in quantum mechanics, optics and/or nano-mechanics, as well as prior knowledge in programming (Python) are welcome Experimental work involves optics, nano-mechanics, vacuum technology and microwave design, and advanced interfacing.

Applicants must hold a Master’s degree or an equivalent qualification by the application deadline and must not already hold a doctoral degree. Applicants must also comply with the MSCA mobility rule: they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in France for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately preceding the application deadline. Applicants must not be current employees of the host laboratory. There are no nationality or age restrictions.

Additional comments

About the QuanG2 PhD Call

This PhD position is offered as part of the QuanG2 PhD Call for Applications, a doctoral programme coordinated by Université Grenoble Alpes and dedicated to training the next generation of researchers in quantum science and technology. The programme offers fully funded three-year PhD positions within the Grenoble quantum research ecosystem, providing doctoral candidates with a high-level international research environment and dedicated funding for their research and training activities.

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