Tenure Track Position: Expert Researcher

Tenure track position for an Expert Researcher in the field of cryogenic devices for Physics and Quantum Sensing.

FBK is a private research institution devoted to excellence in research in numerous disciplines and designated to the role of keeping the Autonomous Province of Trento in the mainstream of European and international research. Each research area is assigned to a specific research center, of which there are eleven totals. Information regarding the research centers, their activities and production is available at http://www.fbk.eu/research-centers.

The FBK Centre for Sensors & Devices (CSD) (https://www.fbk.eu/en/sensors-devices/) is an applied research center that operates in the following scientific and technological areas: materials and interfaces, devices and microsystems, integrated systems. The CSD has extremely advanced technical know-how in applied materials science, as well as innovative detector design and fabrication technologies. As part of the FBK mission, which aims to achieve results of scientific excellence and to produce an impact on society, our activities include both state-of-the-art research on integrated sensors and devices and new frontier research in the field of Quantum Sciences and Technologies bound to become essential in the very near future. The centre is also a funding member of the joint laboratory among FBK, the University of Trento, INFN and CNR named Quantum at Trento (Q@TN) and dedicated to research and innovation in the growing field of quantum technologies.

The strategic mission of the CSD is scientific excellence combined with the ability to exploit research results. The innovation model is open to collaboration in national and international expertise networks.

FBK actively seeks diversity and inclusion in the workplace and is also committed in promoting gender equality.

Job description

The purpose of FBK’s Tenure Track program is to offer high level professionals the opportunity of pursuing a structured career path in order to become a tenured researcher contributing to the long-term strategy of the organization.

Within this framework, FBK-SD is seeking a dynamic, highly motivated young researcher to be included in a team focused on the development of sensors and devices for physics and quantum technology applications.

The candidate will work within the MST Unit, reporting directly to the Head of Unit.

The position offers the opportunity of working for the development of frontier devices based on superconductive circuits with at and beyond the state-of-the-art for high sensitivity sensors and devices for physics and quantum technology applications. Adequate experience in realisation and/or design and operation of cryogenics devices like Kinetic Inductance Detectors (KID), Transition Edge Sensors (TES), Josephson junctions, Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (SQUID) or/and quantum devices like parametric amplifiers, superconductive qubits and Quantum Electrodynamic circuits (cQED) with planar microtechnology.

The candidate will work in collaboration with other researchers of the FBK – CSD , as well as with partners involved in MST projects. The candidate is also expected to contribute to proposals for funded activities including reporting and dissemination of results (in both academic and popular venues).

Main tasks

The successful candidate will work within the Microsystem group (MST) of the Sensors and Devices centre of FBK and her/his research activity will involve:

• Device design
  – Accurate devices simulations
  – Layout of the devices

• Fabrication of the devices, including:
  – Processing step preparation for optimised manufacturing
  – Careful optimisation and correction of every processing step
  – Organisation of the clean room operations

• Process characterisation
  – Control measurements during the fabrication process flow
  – Data analysis

• Packaging, deployment and functional testing

The ideal candidate should have

• Education: PhD in physics or Electronics Engineering, Microelectronics or equivalent degree.
• Specific experience in the field of cryogenics devices, superconductivity, bolometers or quantum sensing and The candidate has preferably knowledge of the fabrication techniques and clean room processes, namely silicon fabrication technology and previous experience of device characterisation and deployment in experiments.
• Hand-on activities in bolometers, cryogenic quantum sensors, cQED.
• Hand-on activities in the manufacturing technology of the above devices using planar silicon based microfabrication.
• Knowledge of design techniques for cryogenic devices (TES, KID, SQUID).
• Experience with simulation and modelling software platforms for RF.
• Experience with the functional characterisation of the devices (electrical measurements, use of cryostats).
• Good knowledge and proficiency of the English language.
• Good publication track record in field of the proposal position.

In particular, the following specific experience are preferable:

• Experience in data analysis and interpretation.
• Good team working attitude.
• Good self-organisation and autonomous operation.
• Experience in working for research projects.

Employment

Type of contract: Tenure Track position leading to an FBK 3nd Level Researcher (R3) permanent contract.

Duration: The maximum duration of the Tenure Track contract is up to 5 years (which may be reduced in accordance to the Committee assessment on the candidate’s abilities and skills). If the final assessment of the Tenure Track experience is positive, the selected candidate for the tenure track position will be offered a permanent R3 contract.

Working hours: full time (38 h per week).

Gross annual salary: about 39.500€, plus objectives achievement bonus.

Start date: September 2021

Workplace: Povo, Trento (Italy).

Benefits: flexi-time, company subsidized cafeteria or meal vouchers, internal car park, welcome office support for visa formalities, accommodation, supplementary pension and health found, training courses, public transport, sports facilities, language courses fees. Further details at https://www.fbk.eu/en/work-with-us/.

Application

Candidates are required to submit their applications by filling in the webform available at https://jobs.fbk.eu/.

Please ensure that your application includes the following attachments (.pdf format):

• Detailed CV including a publications list.
• Cover Letter (explaining your motivation for this specific position).
• Statement of Research Interests.
• A list of three professional references (e-mails and phone numbers).

Application deadline: 9 June 2021
New application deadline: 30 June 2021

Please read our Regulations “Guidelines for Tenure Track positions” and Tenure Track FAQ before completing your application.

For further information or technical issues regarding the application, please contact the Human Resources Service at jobs@fbk.eu.