The Photonic Ultrafast Systems Group headed by Prof. Bojan Resan develops ultrafast lasers and photonic systems targeting applications in biomedicine, micro-material processing and optical communications. By deploying our developed application-driven custom-tailored ultrafast lasers, we advance the application performance and potential. Our group is interdisciplinary with projects spanning from ultrafast laser technology to biomedical imaging and optical telecommunication systems. The Nano-Photonics Group headed by Prof. Richard Warburton applies the concepts of quantum optics to solid-state emitters. The overriding goal is to create useful hardware for quantum information applications: a single photon source and a spin qubit. The single photon source should be a fast and bright source of indistinguishable photons on demand. The spin qubit should retain its coherence over many quantum operations. An outstanding goal is to develop a scalable approach to control multiple qubits.
Your position
We aim to develop micron-scale fibre cavities with excellent in-and-out coupling efficiencies and with designer nano-structured mirror profiles. Rapid, flexible and scalable nano-fabrication techniques will be developed based on femtosecond laser ablation. Two light sources will be developed with the same fibre cavity: a high-repetition rate pulsed laser for optical telecommunications, and a single-photon source for quantum technology.
Your aim will be to:
- generate and characterize sub-micron size Bessel beams
- perform nano-machining trials of glass samples with a femtosecond pulsed laser and optimize laser parameters for the optimal mirror template
- design and build open micro-cavities with nano-machined fibres for quantum communications
- design and build a micro-cavity femtosecond laser for high data rate telecommunications
Work places:
- Nano-machining and micro-cavity fs laser tasks at University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland in Windisch/Brugg, ~30 minutes from Zürich, ~45 minutes from Basel
- Fibre cavities for quantum communications at University of Basel in the center of Basel
Your profile
- BS or MS degree in physics, photonics, engineering, or a related field
- Highly motivated for applied experimental laboratory work
- Experience with femtosecond lasers and/or quantum optics is a plus
- Experience with scientific programming and data analysis (Python, MATLAB, or similar) is a plus
- Communication and team-working skills
We offer you
- Interdisciplinary work in a highly collaborative environment
- A unique environment combining state-of-the-art ultrafast experiments at University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland with state-of-the-art experiments in quantum optics at University of Basel
- Close collaboration with internationally recognized experts in ultrafast optics, micromachining and quantum communications
- The opportunity to pioneer innovations in the emerging field of fibre cavities with applications ranging from fundamental quantum physics to future photonic telecommunications
Application / Contact
More information and the online application platform can be found at www.phd.nanoscience.ch . For questions, please contact the head of the SNI PhD programme, Dr. Andreas Baumgartner ( [email protected] ), or directly the project leaders. The application has to be completed before 31 December 2026. Please note that the vacancy can be filled any time from now.