Job description
PhD Position Cryo-CMOS Circuit Design for Optical Communications in Quantum Computers
Are you ready to shape the future of quantum technology? Join our dynamic team in designing and demonstrating cryo-CMOS integrated circuits to interface quantum computers and quantum sensors!
Quantum computers hold the promise of solving problems that would be difficult for classical digital computers to solve, while quantum sensors offer unprecedented accuracy and sensitivity in detecting very small quantities. However, quantum devices typically operate at low temperatures and therefore require long, bulky and unreliable wires to connect to their room-temperature control electronics. This wiring bottleneck hinders system scalability and performance. As a PhD student in Electrical Engineering at Delft University of Technology, you will overcome this bottleneck by building cryogenic interfaces for future quantum systems.
In our group, we pioneered the use of CMOS integrated circuits that operate at low temperatures (cryogenic CMOS). We use standard CMOS technology to take advantage of its large-scale integration, which will be needed for future large-scale quantum computers and cryogenic sensors, and its performance. CMOS devices can operate at temperatures as low as 4 K and below, but their behavior is very different from room temperature, including higher threshold voltages, higher drive currents, and lower thermal noise. The challenge is to take advantage of the benefits of low-temperature operation, such as lower thermal noise, while at the same time outperforming the state-of-the-art by inventing innovative circuit architectures and systems that circumvent the non-ideal state of the device. While we have demonstrated several high-performance cryogenic-CMOS circuits and systems over the past decade, your challenge will be to demonstrate new capabilities that advance circuit performance and knowledge.
In this program, you will address a key challenge in quantum computers: how to efficiently transfer and output large amounts of digital data in a cryogenic refrigerator? The quantum processor will operate in a closed cryogenic freezer, so it will be necessary to transmit input data and calculations in and out of the cryogenic freezer over distances of up to a few meters. While electrical communication via conductive wires seems to be the most straightforward solution, there are several limitations to this approach, including the generation of electromagnetic interference and the limited data bandwidth of the electrical interconnections. In addition, electrical conductors also conduct heat and therefore take up part of the cooling budget of a cryogenic refrigerator. Optical fiber is a promising alternative due to its low thermal conductivity and superior performance in terms of immunity to interference and data transmission rates. Your research goal is to demonstrate the first cryogenic-CMOS optical transceiver. You will determine the optimal optoelectronic converter for operation at low temperatures and design cryo-CMOS electrical interfaces for transmitting and receiving high-speed digital data. During your PhD, you will design multiple cryo-CMOS temperature sensor prototypes, fabricate them using advanced CMOS technology, and characterize the fabricated prototypes in our state-of-the-art cryogenic electrical characterization lab.
Your research results will drive the latest developments in the field of cryogenic-CMOS circuit design and will be presented at the top conferences in the field of IC development and published in high impact scientific journals. Your cryo-CMOS temperature sensors will be integrated into large-scale prototypes developed by TU Delft and our industrial partners to make a real impact in the field of quantum technology.
Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
Strong interest and deep background in analog circuit design; hands-on circuit design experience in academia or industry is preferred but not required.
Good analytical, creative and problem solving skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
Ability and desire to work in an international collaborative environment.
Conditions of Employment The PhD candidate will in principle be offered a 4-year term of employment, but it will be in the form of 2 employment contracts. The first contract will be for 1.5 years, with a formal “go/no-go” progress assessment within 15 months. If all goes well and performance requirements are met, a supplementary contract will be signed for 2.5 years.
Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Dutch University Collective Labor Agreement and increase from €2901 per month in the first year to €3707 in the fourth year. As a PhD student, you will be enrolled in the Graduate School of Delft University of Technology. The Graduate School of Delft University of Technology has an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and mentors to provide you with an inspiring research environment. The doctoral education program is designed to develop your transferable, discipline-relevant and research skills.
The Delft University of Technology offers a customizable remuneration package, discounts on health insurance and a monthly subsidy for work expenses. Flexible working hours can be arranged.
Do you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? Delft University of Technology is committed to making your relocation as smooth as possible! The HR department “Come to Delft Services” provides information on its website to help you prepare for your relocation. In addition, “Come to Delft Services” organizes events to help you settle in the Netherlands and expand your (social) network in Delft. We also offer a “Dual Career Program” to help your accompanying partner find a job in the Netherlands.
https://careers.tudelft.nl/job/Delft-PhD-Position-Cryo-CMOS-Circuit-Design-for-Optical-Communication-in-Quantum- Computers-2628-CD/813972202/?utm_campaign=Mimir=AcademicTransfer%202020%20EN
false
Europe, Netherlands
Doctoral Position Low Temperature-CMOS Circuit Design for Optical Communications in Quantum Computers</position_name
University of Delft University of Technology</employer_name
Doctoral Position Cryo-CMOS Circuit Design for Optical Communications in Quantum Computers
Increased from 2901 euros per month in the first year to 3707 euros per month in the fourth year</job_salary
https://www.tudelft.nl/en/
@tudelft
2025-03-30
[email protected]
false
true</is_doctoral_position
false</is_master_position
false</is_bachelor_position
offer requirements
Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
Strong interest and deep background in analog circuit design; hands-on circuit design experience in academia or industry preferred but not required.
Good analytical, creative and problem solving skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
Ability and desire to work in an international collaborative environment.
Conditions of Employment The PhD candidate will in principle be offered a 4-year term of employment, but it will be in the form of 2 employment contracts. The first contract will be for 1.5 years, with a formal “go/no-go” progress assessment within 15 months. If all goes well and performance requirements are met, a supplementary contract will be signed for 2.5 years.
Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Dutch University Collective Labor Agreement and increase from €2901 per month in the first year to €3707 in the fourth year. As a PhD student, you will be enrolled in the Graduate School of Delft University of Technology. The Graduate School of Delft University of Technology has an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and mentors to provide you with an inspiring research environment. The doctoral education program is designed to develop your transferable, discipline-relevant and research skills.
The Delft University of Technology offers a customizable remuneration package, discounts on health insurance and a monthly subsidy for work expenses. Flexible working hours can be arranged.
Do you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? Delft University of Technology is committed to making your relocation as smooth as possible! The HR department “Come to Delft Services” provides information on its website to help you prepare for your relocation. In addition, “Come to Delft Services” organizes events to help you settle in the Netherlands and expand your (social) network in Delft. We also offer a “Dual Career Program” to help your accompanying partner find a job in the Netherlands.
https://careers.tudelft.nl/job/Delft-PhD-Position-Cryo-CMOS-Circuit-Design-for-Optical-Communication-in-Quantum- Computers-2628-CD/813972202/?utm_campaign=Mimir=AcademicTransfer%202020%20EN
false
Europe, Netherlands
Doctoral Position Low Temperature-CMOS Circuit Design for Optical Communications in Quantum Computers</position_name
University of Delft University of Technology</employer_name
Doctoral Position Cryo-CMOS Circuit Design for Optical Communications in Quantum Computers
Increased from 2901 euros per month in the first year to 3707 euros per month in the fourth year</job_salary
https://www.tudelft.nl/en/
@tudelft
2025-03-30
[email protected]
false
true</is_doctoral_position
false</is_master_position
false</is_bachelor_position
offer benefits
Terms of Employment PhD candidates will in principle be offered a 4-year appointment, but it will be in the form of 2 employment contracts. The first contract will be for 1.5 years, with a formal go/no-go progress assessment within 15 months. If all goes well and performance requirements are met, a supplementary contract will be signed for 2.5 years.
Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Dutch University Collective Labor Agreement and increase from €2901 per month in the first year to €3707 in the fourth year. As a PhD student, you will be enrolled in the Graduate School of Delft University of Technology. The Graduate School of Delft University of Technology has an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and mentors to provide you with an inspiring research environment. The doctoral education program is designed to develop your transferable, discipline-relevant and research skills.
The Delft University of Technology offers a customizable remuneration package, discounts on health insurance and a monthly subsidy for work expenses. Flexible working hours can be arranged.
Do you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? Delft University of Technology is committed to making your relocation as smooth as possible! The HR department “Come to Delft Services” provides information on its website to help you prepare for your relocation. In addition, “Come to Delft Services” organizes events to help you settle in the Netherlands and expand your (social) network in Delft. We also offer a “Dual Career Program” to help your accompanying partner find a job in the Netherlands.
https://careers.tudelft.nl/job/Delft-PhD-Position-Cryo-CMOS-Circuit-Design-for-Optical-Communication-in-Quantum- Computers-2628-CD/813972202/?utm_campaign=Mimir=AcademicTransfer%202020%20EN
false
Europe, Netherlands
Doctoral Position Low Temperature-CMOS Circuit Design for Optical Communications in Quantum Computers</position_name
University of Delft University of Technology</employer_name
Doctoral Position Cryo-CMOS Circuit Design for Optical Communications in Quantum Computers
Increased from 2901 euros per month in the first year to 3707 euros per month in the fourth year</job_salary
https://www.tudelft.nl/en/
@tudelft
2025-03-30
[email protected]
false
true</is_doctoral_position
false</is_master_position
false
To apply for this job please visit tudelft.nl.