Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Quantum Optical Control of Spin Defects

Contract: 2 years (24 months – full-time)

We are looking for an excellent post-doctoral candidate with a PhD / DPhil (or near completion) in quantum optics, solid state quantum physics, magnetic resonance or related areas. The successful candidate will be part of our research team and involved in designing and implementing experiments, disseminating our work via writing research articles and giving oral presentations at conferences, and participating in the training and management of PhD students.

Solid-state spin photon interfaces are central to emerging quantum technologies, such as optical quantum networks and quantum sensors. Point defects in wide-bandgap solids are an example, where the deterministic interaction between emitted photons and electronic and nuclear spins enables photon mediated entanglement for distributed quantum networks. Optical readout of electronic and nuclear spins on the single spin level can give rise to nanoscale sensors of magnetic field, temperature and pressure.

Recently, our research group has pioneered the identification of optically addressable, carbon-related spin defects in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN). The defects we study are bright single-photon emitters with quantum coherent electronic spins at room temperature. Now, we plan to transform the material system to platform for quantum technology, a coherent 2D spin-photon interface for networks and sensing. To work towards this goal, this 2-year project will develop photoluminescence and spin control capabilities, under cryogenic conditions, to probe the defects’ electronic structure and spin properties. This effort will be combined with ongoing work in the group on the characterisation and optimisation of the hBN material and defect formation, which we perform in collaboration with a wide group of material scientists and electron microscopists.  

This postdoctoral research associate position is for 2 years, based in the Department of Materials, University of Oxford which is located in central Oxford.

The successful candidate will be expected to work with (including designing, aligning and operating) quantum optical and magnetic resonance setups and will benefit from the active research environment within quantum-related research in Oxford and will receive support and mentoring towards their own career development.

All applications must be made online using the Oxford University E-Recruitment system, no later than 12 noon on Monday 1 September 2025. You will be required to upload a CV and a Supporting Statement as part of your application. Please do not attach any manuscripts, papers, transcripts, mark sheets or certificates as these will not be considered as part of your application.

Interviews are scheduled to take place on the week commencing 15 September 2025 and you must be available on this date, either by Teams, Zoom or in person.

If you have any queries about this position, please contact hannah.stern@materials.ox.ac.uk.

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