One or two PhD fellowships in Quantum Optics

The Niels Bohr Institute invites applicants for one or two PhD fellowships in Quantum Optics.

Starting date is April 1st or as soon as possible thereafter

The projects

One of the two experimental projects is centered around cavity-enhanced coupling of a cold atom lattice to a quantum state of light with the goal of developing a long distance link between atomic quantum nodes. The project involves dipole trapping and manipulation of cold atoms coupled to photonic waveguides. Master degree in experimental atomic or optical physics is required. Knowledge and experience with optical measurements and quantum noise measurements are a plus.

The second experimental project aims at the development of quantum enhanced methods for biomagnetic and conductivity sensing surpassing conventional diagnostic technologies. The project utilizes a combination of magnetic induction tomography and atomic magnetometry. Master degree in experimental atomic and optical physics is required. Knowledge and experience with optical measurements, quantum noise measurements and magnetometry are a plus.

Our group and research- and what do we offer?

The group is a part of the Niels Bohr Institute (Department of Physics), the Faculy of Science, University of Copenhagen. Research will be carried out at QUANTOP laboratories and is part of the Copenhagen Center for Biomedical Quantum Sensing - CBQS. We are a vibrant group of approximately 20 researchers and students working on quantum physics of atoms, light and mechanical objects with particular emphasis on interfacing disparate quantum systems with light. Generation of entangled states of light, atoms, material objects, and their use for quantum sensing, quantum communication and quantum simulations are the core activities of the group. CBQS is a collaborative effort between the Niels Bohr Institute, Danish Technical University and University of Texas in Austin.

We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories located on Blegdamsvej 17, Copenhagen .

Principal supervisor is Prof. Eugene Polzik,

The PhD programme

three year full-time study within the framework of the regular PhD programme (5+3 scheme), if you already have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master's degree.

********************************************************************************

Qualifications needed for the regular programme

To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master's degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.

Terms of employment in the regular programme

Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.

Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.

The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.

Salary, pension and other conditions of employment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant organisation. Currently, the monthly salary starts at 31,200 DKK/approx. 4,100 EUR (November 2025 level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 18,07 % to your pension fund.

Responsibilities and tasks in PhD programmes

• Complete and pass the MSc education in accordance with the curriculum of the MSc programme (ONLY when you are attending the integrated MSc and PhD programme)
• Carry through an independent research project under supervision
• Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE
• Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad
• Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
• Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals
• Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project

We are looking for the following qualifications:

• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
• Relevant publications
• Relevant work experience
• Other relevant professional activities
• Curious mind-set with a strong interest in quantum physics and technologies
• Good language skills

***************************************************************************

Application and Assessment Procedure

Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include:

• Motivated letter of application (max. one page)

• Your motivation for applying for the specific PhD project. If one of the two announced projects is preferable, please state so. State which PhD project you are applying for.

• Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position

• Original diplomas for Bachelor or Master and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.

• Publication list (if possible)

• Reference letters (if available)

Application deadline:

The deadline for applications is 10 December 2025, 23:59 GMT +1.

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

If it is deemed appropriate from an overall perspective, you must be prepared to be security screened, in relation to international research and innovation collaboration, as part of the employment process at the University of Copenhagen

The further process

After deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified, whether you will be passed for assessment.

The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified and, if so, for which of the two models. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at

Questions

For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.

[General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School's website: ].

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.

Københavns Universitet giver sine knap medarbejdere muligheder for at udnytte deres talent fuldt ud i et ambitiøst, uformelt miljø. Vi sikrer traditionsrige og moderne rammer om uddannelser og fri forskning på højt internationalt niveau. Vi søger svar og løsninger på fælles problemer og gør ny viden tilgængelig og nyttig for andre.

Eugene Simon Polzik

E-mail:

Ansøgningsfrist:

Ansættelsesdato:

Arbejdstid: Fuldtid

Afdeling/Sted: Niels Bohr Institue