PDRA in Quantum Light and Matter

Durham University - Department of Physics

Up to three Postdoctoral Research Associate positions are available to pursue experimental research in the field of atomic, molecular and optical physics within the Durham Quantum Light and Matter group. The positions are associated with a new five-year Programme Grant on "Quantum Many-Body Physics with Ultracold Polar Molecules" funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The research builds upon our expertise in creating ultracold RbCs molecules in the rovibrational ground state and trapping them in rotationally magic traps. The post holders will work directly with Prof. Simon Cornish and other members of his research group with the Durham Quantum Light and Matter research section.

The goal of the research is to synthesise and study artificial quantum materials using ultracold molecules arranged in regular arrays to probe novel quantum phenomena in strongly interacting quantum systems. The use of molecules is motivated by their rich internal structure, combined with the existence of controllable long-range dipole-dipole interactions, long trap lifetimes and strong coupling to electric and microwave fields. The postholders will be expected to display the initiative and creativity, together with the appropriate skills and knowledge, required to work with Prof. Cornish to deliver the research goals. These include (1) encoding synthetic dimensions in molecules confined in rotationally magic traps and (2) the creation of many-body quantum states of molecules in optical lattices for quantum simulation (3) the production of strongly dipolar Bose-Einstein condensates of molecules.

The post holders are therefore expected to have experience and familiarity with the techniques used in the study of ultracold gases, including the operation of magneto-optical traps, the production of quantum degenerate gases, optical trapping and optical lattices. The post holder are expected to be able to work effectively both independently and as part of a small research team. It is expected that the post holders will enhance the international contacts of the group through the presentation of work at international conferences and exchange visits to collaborators connected with the project. The post holders will also be expected to aid in the supervision of postgraduate research students within the group as well as contributing to the undergraduate teaching within the Department.

Each post is for an initial fixed term of 24 months, but may be extended to up to 60 months.

The post holders will be employed to work on a research project which will be led by another colleague. Whilst this means that the post holders will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols.

Successful applicants will ideally be in post by January 2026.