PhD Position : Quasiparticle dynamics in superconducting islands coupled to germanium-based quantum dots

COFUND QuanG; France; Sur place; EUR 24 000 - 30 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

COFUND QuanG in France invites applications for a First Stage Researcher (R1) PhD project focusing on quasiparticle poisoning in superconducting quantum circuits. The student will use semiconductor quantum dots for energy- and spin-selective single-particle injection and detection in hybrid devices.

The project aims to bridge microscopic charge dynamics with qubit performance, involving device fabrication in a PTA cleanroom and cryogenic measurement setups.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent by the application deadline.
• Must not already hold a doctoral degree.
• Compliance with MSCA mobility rule: no residence in France >12 months in 36 months.

Responsabilités

• Carry out time-resolved pump-probe experiments using semiconductor quantum dots.
• Investigate transport and relaxation dynamics of non-equilibrium quasiparticles.
• Fabricate devices on Ge/SiGe heterostructures and operate cryogenic setups.

Connaissances

Solid-state physics

Quantum mechanics

Experimental abilities

Python programming

Formation

Master’s degree or equivalent qualification

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:

The proposed PhD project focuses on the fundamental physics and mitigation of quasiparticle poisoning, a phenomenon where non-equilibrium excitations disrupt the parity and coherence of superconducting quantum circuits. This research shifts away from bulk statistical observations by employing semiconductor quantum dots as high-precision tools for both the controlled injection and the time-resolved detection of individual quasiparticles. By integrating these dots into hybrid superconductor-semiconductor architectures, the project aims to bridge the gap between microscopic charge dynamics and the macroscopic performance of qubits.

PhD Subject:

In this project, the PhD student will investigate the transport and relaxation dynamics of non-equilibrium quasiparticles in superconducting islands. To this aim, the student will carry out time-resolved “pump-probe” experiments using semiconductor quantum dots as energy- and spin-selective tools for single-particle injection and detection. Experiments will focus on both charge and spin dynamics with the goal to determine the respective time scales. The possibility to use spin-polarized quasiparticles as a vehicle for the long-range transfer of spin-based information may also be addressed in the last part of the PhD project. The devices used in these experiments will be fabricated on existing Ge/SiGe high-mobility heterostructures, an emerging material system for hybrid superconductor-semiconductor devices. The student will be involved in device fabrication to be performed in the nearby PTA cleanroom. The host lab has a well-established expertise in this research field owning a variety of cryogenic setups equipped with high-frequency measurement electronics.

Required Skills:

• Strong background in solid-state physics and quantum mechanics
• Experimental abilities
• Pithon programming
• Team spirit, resilience, and project ownership
• Scientific communication

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 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.

Selection process

After the application deadline, all applications will first undergo an eligibility check. Eligible applications will then be reviewed during the pre-selection phase, scheduled for mid-October 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to online interviews at the end of October 2026. Candidates selected following this first interview stage will then be invited to in-person interviews in Grenoble in early December 2026, with the final selection taking place after these interviews. All candidates will be informed of the outcome of the selection process following the final stage.

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.