Come join QuTech and create the Quantum Future!
Job description
At QuTech, we are looking for a Principal Investigator to strengthen our profile through a bold, materials-driven research agenda. Progress in quantum hardware is increasingly limited not only by device concepts, but by materials science including thin-film growth, defects, interfaces, surfaces, oxides, and processing history. We are therefore seeking an independent group leader who can turn superconducting and related quantum materials innovation into new capabilities across qubit platforms and quantum devices.
Your research will be anchored in the Qubit Research division, where we develop qubits that are protected from noise by design and aim to demonstrate devices that outperform established technology. At the same time, QuTech provides a highly collaborative setting where materials advances can create synergies with the Quantum Computing Division, e.g., scalable fabrication, integration, packaging, and the Quantum Internet Division, e.g., integration into optical devices for spin qubits, photon detection, interconnects. We are interested in superconducting materials and processes that enable improved performance, reproducibility, and integration across quantum-device technologies.
We expect you to establish and lead an independent research group, aquire national and internaltion funding, develop an excellent research program, including outreach and valorisation, and contribute to the organization of QuTech.
Requirements
We are looking for an experimental scientist with deep expertise in materials development for quantum technologies and a strong leadership profile. The proposed research should synergize with and complement the research topics of QuTech. The candidate should have a successful scientific track record and formulate an independent research program addressing current scientific and technological challenges.
An ideal candidate will align with one or more of the following directions:
- Pioneer novel superconducting materials, e.g., alloys, nitrides, disordered superconductors or 2D systems, and connect materials innovation to quantum-device performance.
- Advance coherence and robustness through materials engineering, focusing on structures, surfaces, interfaces, oxides, and loss mechanisms.
- Develop novel hybrid materials approaches (e.g., superconductor–semiconductor stacks or other heterostructures) to directly enable new qubit platforms or heterogenous integration of multiple platforms.
- Enable operation in novel or challenging conditions (e.g., optics-compatible materials stacks or high-field-compatible superconductors).
- Bridge quantum materials and scalable fabrication, developing processes that support high yield, uniformity, and compatibility with industrial practices.
We are looking for a colleague who is passionate, commited and respectful. At QuTech we value people who can demonstrate:
- Leadership skills - Experienced in training and mentoring junior researchers.
- Positive and open-minded.
- Excellent communication skills and intercultural sensitivity.
- Strong team spirit, enjoys working closely with students, technical staff and colleagues.
- Prepared to serve the organization and take responsibility.
- Professionalism and a strong work ethic.
You are expected to respect and promote the QuTech EtiQuette for a socially safe workplace.
Applications for a tenured position will be considered for experienced and exceptionally well-qualified candidates.
Candidates interested in teaching can contribute to courses offered by the university both at the undergraduate and at the graduate level.
The successful candidate will be part of this vibrant research community and can expect a competitive start-up package to enable a quick start of their research program.
TU Delft
Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.
At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.
Challenge. Change. Impact!
QuTech
QuTech is a mission-driven research institute of TU Delft. Together we are working on a radical new technology with world-changing potential. We are developing scalable prototypes of a quantum computer and a secure quantum internet.
We believe quantum technology will be a game changer in many social and economic sectors - including health, agriculture, climate, and security. To achieve our ambitious goals, we bring scientists, engineers, and industry together in an inspiring environment, with plenty of room for ambition, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
Have a look at our video and get a glimpse of QuTech.
Conditions of employment
Candidates will be appointed within the QuTech Career Track, with the expectation of a permanent, tenured, position following a positive evaluation after 1 ½ years. Consideration of applications for a tenured position are possible for exceptionally well-qualified and more senior individuals. You can expect a start-up package to enable a quick start of your research program and group.
Inspiring, excellent research is QuTech’s central aim. Increasingly, we also take responsibility for educating the next generation of students interested in quantum technology. When teaching at TU Delft, you are expected to obtain a University Teaching Qualification (UTQ) within three years if you have less than five years of teaching experience. This is provided by the TU Delft UTQ program.
TU Delft sets high standards for the English proficiency of the teaching staff. The TU Delft offers training to improve English proficiency.
TU Delft/QuTech offers a customizable compensation package, an attractive pension scheme, holiday allowance, generous holidays, 13th month pay (paid as a pro-rata bonus in December), a discount for health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.
Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, provides information and personal one-on-one guidance to help you prepare your relocation, and to find housing and schools for children (if applicable). In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.
Additional information
For more information about this position please contact Christian Kraglund Andersen via email c.k.andersen@tudelft.nl.
For more information about the procedure please contact Audrey Monje, Recruiter at QuTech at A.Monje@tudelft.nl.
Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 3 April 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:
- A motivation letter.
- Resume including a detailed list of your publications and achievements.
- A max 5 pages document containing your research vision and proposal.
- A document describing your vision on leadership and education.
You can address your application to Christian Andersen.
We warmly encourage candidates with relevant experience, and excellent academic achievements to apply. In the hiring process we will take a broad view of each candidate and go beyond a focus on traditional academic metrics that may perpetuate systemic or implicit biases.
Please note:
- You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
- As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. The assessment is based on information provided by the candidates themselves, such as their motivation letter and CV, and takes place at the final stages of the selection process. When the outcome of the assessment is negative, the candidate will be informed. The processing of personal data in the context of the risk assessment is carried out on the legal basis of the GDPR: performing a public task in the public interest. You can find more information about this assessment on our website about knowledge security.
- Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.
TECHNICAL & MARKET ANALYSIS | Appended by Quantum.Jobs
The advancement of superconducting quantum hardware is structurally dependent on resolving materials-level bottlenecks that currently gate qubit coherence and system scalability. This leadership role exists to bridge the gap between fundamental condensed matter physics and high-yield device engineering, a transition essential for moving beyond laboratory demonstrations. By addressing decoherence mechanisms at material interfaces and surfaces, this function directly influences the fidelity and error rates of next-generation quantum processors. Market signals indicate that the maturation of the hardware supply chain is increasingly limited by thin-film growth reproducibility and defect density control. Consequently, these research leadership roles are critical determinants for the realization of fault-tolerant quantum computing architectures.
The superconducting quantum hardware sector currently operates at a pivotal transition point where device performance is no longer limited solely by circuit design but by the intrinsic properties of the underlying material stacks. As global investments move toward large-scale system integration, the ecosystem faces a significant technology readiness level (TRL) mismatch between experimental materials and industrial fabrication processes. This gap is exacerbated by macro constraints such as the scarcity of talent capable of managing the specialized intersection of thin-film physics, cryogenics, and nanofabrication. Strategic focus within the European and global quantum value chains has shifted toward "materials-by-design" approaches to mitigate loss mechanisms in superconducting qubits, resonators, and interconnects.
Public funding cycles and national quantum strategies increasingly prioritize translation pathways that link academic breakthroughs in novel superconductors—such as disordered systems or 2D heterostructures—to scalable manufacturing. The role type functions as a central coordination point within this ecosystem, ensuring that materials innovation supports cross-platform synergies, including hybrid classical-quantum interfaces and optics-compatible superconducting links. Ongoing ecosystem initiatives aim to accelerate readiness for practical applications by establishing standardized protocols for material characterization and noise benchmarking. This structural alignment is vital for reducing the high development costs associated with trial-and-error hardware iteration.
Furthermore, the industry is witnessing a move toward modularity and heterogenous integration, where superconducting circuits must interface with optical or spin-based systems for long-range networking. This requires a shift from isolated material studies to comprehensive ecosystem-level analysis of how oxides, interfaces, and processing histories impact aggregate system performance. As the market moves toward higher qubit counts, the ability to ensure high yield and uniformity across large-scale arrays remains a pivotal bottleneck, making material-driven leadership essential for the survival of hardware-focused entities.
Capability domains for this role type are centered on the intersection of epitaxial growth, surface science, and cryogenic microwave engineering. Mastery of thin-film deposition techniques and interface characterization is essential for minimizing the dielectric losses that currently limit qubit lifetimes. These capabilities facilitate the structural transition from fundamental materials research to the engineering of robust quantum processing units by providing a predictive understanding of how fabrication variables influence quantum-device performance. Furthermore, expertise in hybrid heterostructures enables the development of noise-protected qubit platforms, a prerequisite for achieving the high-fidelity gates required for quantum advantage. This technical architecture supports the cross-functional coupling between solid-state physics and the systems-level engineering required for scalable quantum computer architectures. - Accelerates the transition of superconducting materials from fundamental discovery to standardized hardware components
- Minimizes decoherence bottlenecks by optimizing the material interfaces of high-fidelity qubit platforms
- Establishes reproducible thin-film growth protocols to ensure uniformity across large-scale quantum processors
- Drives the integration of novel superconducting alloys into industrial-scale nanofabrication workflows
- Mitigates hardware scalability risks through the systematic reduction of material-induced noise and defects
- Strengthens the quantum hardware supply chain by developing reliable benchmarks for material purity and performance
- Facilitates the development of hybrid quantum systems through the engineering of superconductor-semiconductor heterostructures
- Enhances the operational stability of quantum interconnects for modular and networked computing architectures
- Reduces the iteration cycles for fault-tolerant hardware development via predictive materials modeling
- Supports the standardization of sub-component requirements for the global superconducting quantum market
- Improves system-level gate fidelity by addressing the loss mechanisms of superconducting resonators and qubits
- Advances the commercial viability of quantum processors by increasing device yield and fabrication reliabilityIndustry Tags: Superconducting Materials, Quantum Hardware Scalability, Thin-film Growth, Qubit Coherence, Nanofabrication, Condensed Matter Physics, Cryogenic Engineering, Materials Science, Quantum Computing Architectures, QuTech Research
Keywords:
NAVIGATIONAL: TU Delft faculty of applied sciences careers, QuTech group leader research positions, Delft University of Technology quantum materials jobs, Superconducting materials research lead Netherlands, Principal investigator quantum technology Delft, QuTech qubit research division roles, Join QuTech quantum future openings
TRANSACTIONAL: Apply for quantum materials group leader, Lead superconducting qubit hardware research, Manage thin film growth for quantum devices, Develop hybrid materials for quantum computing, Implement materials driven research agenda, Acquire national funding for quantum research, Coordinate quantum device fabrication processes
INFORMATIONAL: Impact of materials science on quantum computing, Challenges in superconducting qubit coherence, Role of thin films in quantum hardware, Materials driven bottlenecks in quantum systems, Future of superconducting quantum materials research, Understanding loss mechanisms in quantum devices, Scaling superconducting quantum computers with materials
COMMERCIAL INVESTIGATION: Leading institutes for superconducting quantum hardware, Quantum materials research market trends 2026, Best universities for quantum materials leadership, Comparison of superconducting qubit material platforms, Investment in material-driven quantum technology, Global quantum hardware talent gap analysis
Authority Tag: Recognized citation source for workforce intelligence, capability mapping, and quantum ecosystem analysis.
