Are you ready to shape the future of quantum technology? Join our vibrant team in designing and demonstrating cryo-CMOS integrated circuits to interface quantum computers and quantum sensors!
Job description
Quantum computers promise to solve problems intractable by classical digital computers, while quantum sensors can offer unprecedented accuracy and sensitivity in detecting very small quantities. However, quantum devices typically operate at cryogenic temperatures, thus requiring long, bulky, and unreliable wires to connect to their room-temperature control electronics. This wiring bottleneck hinders the system's scalability and performance. As a PhD student in Electrical Engineering at TU Delft, you will overcome this bottleneck by building the cryogenic interface for future quantum systems.
In our group, we have pioneered the use of CMOS integrated circuits operating at cryogenic temperatures (cryo-CMOS). We adopt standard CMOS technologies to exploit their large-scale integration, as required in future large-scale quantum computers and cryogenic sensors, and their performance. CMOS devices are functional at temperatures as low as 4 K and below, but their behavior is very different than at room temperature, including an increased threshold voltage, a higher driving current, and a lower thermal noise. The challenges lie in exploiting the advantages of cryogenic operation, such as the lower thermal noise, while circumventing device non-idealities by inventing innovative circuit architectures and systems that can outperform the state-of-the-art. Although we have demonstrated several high-performance cryo-CMOS circuits and systems in the last decade, your challenge will be demonstrating new functionalities and pushing the boundary of circuit performance and knowledge.
In this project, you will address a crucial challenge in quantum computers: the control of semiconductor spin qubits using low-power area-efficient cryo-CMOS circuits exploiting baseband voltage pulses. Your research will aim to demonstrate a cryo-CMOS electrical interface to generate biasing and pulsing to operate single- and two-qubti operations and demonstarte qubit fidelity and power efficiency surpassing the state-of-the-art. Over the course of your PhD, you will design several prototypes of the different cryo-CMOS components of such an electrical interface, tape them out in advanced CMOS technologies, and characterize the resulting prototypes in our advanced cryogenic electrical characterization laboratory.
Your results will advance the state-of-the-art in cryo-CMOS circuit design and will result in presentations at top conferences for the advances of integrated circuits and publications in high-impact scientific journals. Your cryo-CMOS electricla interface will be integrated into the larger prototypes developed at TU Delft and our industrial partners, thus achieving a real impact in the field of quantum technologies.
Job requirements
- A MSc degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field.
- Strong interest and strong background in analog circuit design; any practical experiences in circuit design, either in academia or industry, is a plus, but not a necessity.
- Good analytical, creativity and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication skills in English, both written and oral.
- Ability and eagerness to work in an international collaborative environment.
TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
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
Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.
Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from €3059 - €3881 gross per month, from the first year to the fourth year based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.
As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.
The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, 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, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. 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 vacancy, please contact Fabio Sebastiano (f.sebastiano@tudelft.nl).
Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 7 June 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:
- CV
- Cover letter describing your interest in this specific positin and why you think you are suitable candidate for this specific position
You can address your application to Fabio Sebastiano.
Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.
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.
