We’re seeking a highly motivated physics student for a fully funded PhD position (Spanish FPI fellowship) at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), associated with the QUALIMAX national project led by Prof. Francisco J. García Vidal and Johannes Feist. You’ll join our world-leading theoretical physics group at the IFIMAC center of excellence to explore quantum light-matter interactions at their most extreme limits.
This is a cutting-edge theoretical and computational project that tackles both fundamental physics and the design of future quantum technologies. Your research will explore new paradigms of quantum optics within nanophotonic systems that are inherently open and lossy, leading to complex, interacting quantum modes.
You’ll develop theories to understand and exploit such systems, applying your findings to design novel devices like nanoscale single-photon sources and ultra-compact and ultrafast quantum transducers.
If you’re ready to master advanced quantum theory and help shape the next generation of quantum devices, we encourage you to apply.
TECHNICAL & MARKET ANALYSIS | Appended by Quantum.Jobs
This research function is structurally essential for advancing the fundamental theoretical frameworks required to bridge the gap between quantum light-matter interactions and functional quantum device architectures. It addresses a critical Technology Readiness Level (TRL) bottleneck by translating complex nanophotonic phenomena into predictable models for single-photon generation and quantum transduction. Within the global quantum ecosystem, such roles facilitate the upstream innovation necessary for high-fidelity state preparation and inter-system connectivity. The existence of these fellowships is mandated by the persistent scarcity of specialized talent capable of navigating the intersection of open quantum systems and computational physics. Consequently, this work underpins the long-term viability of the quantum communications and sensing sectors by establishing the theoretical limits of hardware performance.
This role type operates within the primary research and foundational enablement layer of the quantum value chain, serving as a critical pipeline for the high-level expertise required by the emerging hardware industry. As national quantum strategies increasingly prioritize the transition from laboratory discovery to industrial application, the demand for researchers who can model non-hermitian and lossy quantum systems has intensified. These systems are no longer viewed merely as theoretical curiosities but as the operational reality for scalable nanophotonic platforms. The integration of quantum optics with nanophotonics represents a major macro constraint; specifically, managing decoherence and loss in ultra-compact environments is a prerequisite for the next generation of quantum interconnects and sensors.
The broader sector dynamic is currently characterized by a shift toward hybrid classical-quantum workflows, where theoretical insights directly inform the design of hardware prototypes. Public funding cycles, such as national projects in Spain and broader European initiatives, are increasingly tied to these translation pathways. This environment creates a structural dependency on academic centers of excellence to provide the validated physical models that private sector entities utilize for risk mitigation in R&D. Furthermore, the role addresses the ecosystem-level challenge of vendor fragmentation by contributing to a shared corpus of theoretical knowledge that standardizes expectations for device efficiency and noise thresholds in open quantum environments.
The technical architecture of this role centers on mastering advanced capability domains in quantum field theory and many-body physics, specifically applied to nanophotonic structures. Tooling layers involve sophisticated computational physics environments and numerical simulation techniques used to solve master equations for open quantum systems. These capabilities are critical because they determine the throughput of the device design cycle, allowing for the virtual prototyping of single-photon sources and transducers before physical fabrication.
Interface points exist primarily between theoretical research and experimental verification, where accurate modeling reduces the friction associated with iterative hardware testing. By mastering the dynamics of interacting quantum modes within lossy resonators, researchers enable the structural stability of future quantum networks. This focus on the "theory-to-device" coupling provides the necessary leverage for the industry to scale, as it moves away from empirical trial-and-error toward a more deterministic engineering approach for quantum state manipulation and light-matter coupling at extreme limits.
Accelerates the translation of theoretical light-matter research into deployable quantum hardware specifications
Establishes foundational benchmarks for the efficiency of nanoscale single-photon sources in open systems
Reduces R\&D risk for industrial partners by providing validated computational models of nanophotonic devices
Shortens the development lifecycle for ultra-compact quantum transducers through predictive theoretical analysis
Strengthens the sovereign quantum talent pipeline via high-level integration with national research projects
Enhances the scalability of quantum communication networks by optimizing light-matter interface fidelities
Mitigates the impact of decoherence in nanophotonic systems through advanced non-hermitian modeling
Provides critical theoretical support for the development of fault-tolerant quantum optical architectures
Standardizes the methodology for analyzing interacting quantum modes in lossy and open environments
Facilitates cross-sector knowledge transfer between academic centers of excellence and quantum startups
Drives the progression of quantum technology readiness levels for photonics-based sensing platforms
Improves the precision of quantum state control within extreme-limit light-matter interaction regimes
Industry Tags: Quantum Optics, Nanophotonics, Theoretical Physics, Quantum Light-Matter Interaction, Single-Photon Sources, Quantum Transducers, Open Quantum Systems, Computational Physics, IFIMAC Research, Quantum Technology TRL
Keywords:
NAVIGATIONAL: PhD Fellowship IFIMAC Madrid, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid physics research, QUALIMAX project quantum optics, Francisco Garcia Vidal research group, Johannes Feist theoretical physics, IFIMAC center of excellence careers, UAM quantum technology PhD
TRANSACTIONAL: Apply for Spanish FPI fellowship, Funding for quantum physics PhD, Secure research position in nanophotonics, Enroll in theoretical quantum PhD, Join QUALIMAX national quantum project, Master advanced quantum theory Madrid, Research quantum light-matter interactions
INFORMATIONAL: Challenges in open quantum systems, Modeling lossy nanophotonic environments, Quantum optics for future devices, Single-photon source design principles, Theory of quantum light-matter coupling, Career pathways in theoretical physics, Impact of nanophotonics on quantum
COMMERCIAL INVESTIGATION: Best universities for quantum research, Global ranking of quantum physics fellowships, Theoretical vs experimental quantum PhD, Leading quantum research centers Europe, Investment in Spanish quantum ecosystem, Comparing nanophotonics research programs
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