"Research Assistant Position in AMO Physics"

Job Description

Are you eager to support exciting research with ultracold atoms and trapped ions? Do you want to participate in the creation of complex machines that have never existed before? Do you enjoy sharing your knowledge with younger group members? If yes, then maybe you want to work as a research assistant. The Institute of Physics of UvA is reinforcing its research support team. We are currently looking for a research assistant to support our QG&QI team.

Join Us! This position is an important part of our strategy for maintaining the excellent quality of our research by providing continuity and expertise at a high level. You should be an authority in particular key areas and an all-rounder in others. A key aspect will be to provide hands-on support in the lab to research being carried out by MSc students, PhD- and postdoctoral researchers in the QG&QI, QMat and SM research clusters. You will play an important role in the QG&QI research cluster, for example building new laser systems, helping new students master our ultracold atom experimental setups and maintaining the infrastructure of the ultracold atom laboratories. Beyond these specialist skills, you will gain experience and expertise with a broad range of available research equipment and also be co-responsible for ensuring a safe working environment for all users of the labs.

This is what you will do As member of the IoP-WZI’s team of three full-time research assistants you will: play a key role in liaising within the faculty and beyond. For example, with the faculty’s machine- and electronics- workshops, but also with the NanoLab Amsterdam cleanroom facility situated in the neighboring NWO-institute AMOLF; develop deep-rooted expertise with and maintenance of WZI’s research facilities and software packages; be able to act as advisor and expert consultant in areas such as laser systems, materials preparation & characterization and ultra-high vacuum technology; be responsible for and coordinate the use of research infrastructure that is shared between the lab’s research clusters. Furthermore, you enjoy sharing your knowledge and expertise with our diverse community of students and early-career researchers, as well as participating in outreach activities such as open days. You feel at home in scientific group meetings and seminars and will equally enjoy acting as effective sparring partner, supporting young researchers with creative advice and hands-on support in their experiments.

What we ask of you

a PhD degree or higher in a relevant field; excellent command of English; a passion for physics, technology and science; the ability to quickly process and apply new knowledge and approaches in practice; a pro-active personality and a true troubleshooting mentality; demonstrable experience of laser systems and optics and/or experience gained in a research setting in atomic, molecular and optical physics. Knowledge and experience of automation and laboratory management is an advantage. Science is international, as is the IoP-WZI. Therefore, excellent command of English is a must and if necessary we will facilitate your learning of Dutch.

This is what we offer you

You will initially be appointed on a one-year contract, with the possibility of transition to a permanent appointment at the end of this period. Depending on experience, the gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week will range from € 3,546 to € 5,538 (university pay scales 10). The salary is supplemented with an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus. The UFO profile name Education & Research Officer (Scale 10) is applicable. The Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities applies. You will work in this team The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain. The Quantum Gases & Quantum Information (QG&QI) cluster is part of Van der Waals-Zeeman (WZI) Research Division of the Institute of Physics (IoP) of the University of Amsterdam (UvA). Besides the QG&QI cluster, the Van der Waals - Zeeman Institute for Experimental Physics (IoP-WZI) is home to the research clusters Quantum Materials and Soft Matter. The main focus of the group is the use of ultracold gases and trapped ions for investigating and utilizing fascinating phenomena in quantum physics. We are particularly interested to develop novel platforms for quantum information science, quantum many-body physics, quantum sensing, precision measurement and atomic clocks.