The project is to carry out theoretical research on the physics of trapped Rydberg ions and atoms within the ERyQSenS-consortium (funded through the QuantERA call) which is formed by European experimental and theoretical research group.

The central aim of the research is to characterise a Rydberg-based quantum simulator platform with applications to the simulation of spin models and spin-boson coupled systems. A second focus will be on the study of many-body phases that results from the competition between long-range interactions of Rydberg ions and atoms and engineering state-dependent vibration-electronic couplings.

The researcher will be an integral part of an interdisciplinary and international team of researchers covering a broad range of topics including statistical physics, condensed-matter theory, computational physics, atomic physics and quantum optics, as well as soft-matter physics. We seek a motivated, skilled and highly independent researcher to complement our team.

The main responsibility of this post will be to carry out independent research on the development of many-body models of Rydberg ions/atoms confined in electric/optical traps, and to apply and/or develop analytical and numerical methods for exploring their strongly correlated dynamics and stationary states. The researcher is moreover expected to actively contribute to the research activities of the condensed matter theory group at the School of Physics and Astronomy.

This full-time post is available from after 1 April 2018 and will be offered on a fixed-term contract until 31 March 2020. Job share arrangements may be considered for this post.

Salary: £26495 to £38833 per annum (pro-rata if applicable) depending on skills and experience (minimum £29799 with relevant PhD). Salary progression beyond this scale is subject to performance.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Professor Igor Lesanovsky ([email protected]) or Dr Weibin Li ([email protected]). Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.