Post-doctoral position in Development of Cold Atom-Based Quantum Network Nodes

ICFO is offering a postdoctoral position to a well-qualified, highly motivated and dynamic young scientist who wishes to enhance his/her scientific career in a friendly and stimulating environment.

The successful candidate will be joining the Quantum Photonics with Solids and Atoms group led by Prof. Dr. Hugues de Riedmatten. The group has experience in quantum technologies for quantum networks, including quantum memories, quantum light sources, quantum frequency conversion and quantum processing nodes. The current position will be within a project aiming at developing quantum network nodes with laser cooled atoms, including quantum memories and highly excited Rydberg atoms enabling deterministic quantum light generation and processing capabilities. The nodes will be tested with photonic integrated lasers and modulators

The selected candidate will strongly benefit from a multidisciplinary environment with other postdocs and PhD students working in quantum technologies at ICFO and with strong collaborations with our European academic and industrial partners in the framework of the Q-Planet project.

Candidates must hold, at the time of contract initiation, an internationally-recognized Ph.D.-equivalent degree (or evidence of its completion in the nearest future) preferably in quantum physics.

The candidate should have a proven track record of high-impact scientific research in experimental quantum optics. Experience in quantum memories, quantum light matter interaction, quantum light sources, generation and characterization of entanglement will be positively valued. Experience in experimental quantum physics is required.

ICFO is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are selected exclusively on merit and potential on the basis of submitted application material. No restrictions related to disabilities, citizenship or gender apply to ICFO positions. ICFO abides by the principles of openness, efficiency, transparency, supportiveness, and international comparability as stated in the European Charter for Researchers and the European Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers.

Salaries for ICFO Postdoctoral positions are assigned by the Selection Committee, based on experience and seniority of the applicant, as well as the assigned tasks and responsibilities within the group. Standard salaries range from a lower level aligned with national Ramon-y-Cajal fellowships to higher levels aligned with Marie Skłodowska-Curie individual fellowships.

The contract is offered initially for a period of 6 months.

Additionally, a family allowance is also available on request and after corresponding approval for people with family charges in the terms described in the corresponding policy.

Suitable candidates are requested to submit:

• Presentation letter with a declaration of interest,
• Curriculum Vitae, including contact details, The contact e-mail of two potential referees.

Candidates may contact jobs@icfo.eu for formal enquiries regarding the application, as well as address scientific enquiries to hugues.deriedmatten@icfo.eu.

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12th of August, 2026