Postdoctoral Research Associate in Quantum Light and Matter, Physics Department

DURHAM UNIVERSITY; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in the UK is seeking candidates for Postdoctoral Research Associate positions focused on experimental research in atomic, molecular, and optical physics. Successful candidates will work on a significant research project, creating ultracold RbCs molecules and synthesizing quantum materials. Applicants should have experience in ultracold gases techniques and be prepared to present their findings at international conferences. The role is full-time with an initial duration of 24 months, extendable up to 60 months.

Qualifications

• Experience with ultracold gases techniques is essential.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Experience presenting research at international conferences.

Responsibilities

• Create ultracold RbCs molecules in the rovibrational ground state.
• Synthesize and study artificial quantum materials.
• Supervise postgraduate students and contribute to undergraduate teaching.

Skills

Experience with ultracold gases techniques

Magneto-optical traps

Quantum degenerate gases

Optical trapping

Optical lattices

Job description

Organisation/Company: DURHAM UNIVERSITY

Research Field: Physics

Researcher Profile: Recognised Researcher (R2), Established Researcher (R3)

Country: United Kingdom

Application Deadline: 6 Oct 2025 - 00:00 (UTC)

Type of Contract: Other

Job Status: Full-time

Funding: Not funded by a EU programme

Research Infrastructure: No

Offer Description

Up to three Postdoctoral Research Associate positions are available to pursue experimental research in atomic, molecular, and optical physics within the Durham Quantum Light and Matter group. These positions are linked to a five-year Programme Grant on "Quantum Many-Body Physics with Ultracold Polar Molecules" funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

The research focuses on creating ultracold RbCs molecules in the rovibrational ground state and trapping them in rotationally magic traps. The postholders will work closely with Prof. Simon Cornish and his research team, aiming to synthesize and study artificial quantum materials using ultracold molecules arranged in regular arrays to explore novel quantum phenomena in strongly interacting systems.

The role involves working with molecules that have rich internal structures, controllable long-range dipole-dipole interactions, long trap lifetimes, and strong coupling to electric and microwave fields. Responsibilities include encoding synthetic dimensions in molecules confined in rotationally magic traps, creating many-body quantum states of molecules in optical lattices, and producing strongly dipolar Bose-Einstein condensates of molecules.

Applicants should have experience with ultracold gases techniques such as magneto-optical traps, quantum degenerate gases, optical trapping, and optical lattices. The position requires working both independently and collaboratively, presenting research at international conferences, supervising postgraduate students, and contributing to undergraduate teaching.

Each position is initially for 24 months, with potential extension up to 60 months. The successful candidate will contribute to a larger research project led by a colleague, developing their own research ideas and protocols within the project's framework. The preferred start date is January 2026.