EPFL – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne 
Lausanne, Switzerland Offer Summary
EPFL’s Laboratory for Quantum Magnetism seeks a PhD candidate in Experimental Quantum Magnetism, focusing on microwave spectroscopy of rare-earth magnets. The four-year position involves investigating entanglement between electronic and nuclear degrees of freedom under extreme conditions. Candidates must hold a Master’s degree in Physics with strong solid-state physics and quantum mechanics backgrounds. Responsibilities include experimental design, data analysis, writing publications, and presenting at international conferences. Supervision is provided by Prof. Henrik Rønnow and Dr. Ivica Živković. Applicants require excellent English communication skills and motivation to engage in challenging research. EPFL offers state-of-the-art facilities, collaborative environments, and opportunities for professional development. Applications should include transcripts, CV, motivation letter, and reference contacts. The role encourages diverse candidates and requires enrollment in the EPFL doctoral school after a one-year probation period.
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Project Description
Mission
At the Laboratory for Quantum Magnetism (LQM) we perform fundamental research in magnetism and correlated electron materials. Our core activities span from synthesis of novel materials over in-house experimental techniques in combination with low temperature, high pressures and high magnetic fields, neutron and X-ray scattering to theory and modeling. The LQM is part of the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), a world-renowned research and education center, offering an ideal academic environment as well as an excellent connection to industry.
The available PhD position is centered around microwave spectroscopy of rare-earth quantum magnets, with a focus on entanglement between electronic and nuclear degrees of freedom, transitions between electro-nuclear states driven by external magnetic field, and how the occupancy of those states can be manipulated by external perturbations. Examples of published work can be found in Scientific Reports and Physical Review B . Alongside the above-mentioned experimental technique, our laboratory, and EPFL, offers state-of-the-art laboratories and equipment to facilitate the research. The project will be supervised by Prof. Henrik Rønnow and Dr. Ivica Živković.
Main duties and responsibilities
As a PhD Student, you will be expected to:
- Take responsibility for the development and completion of your doctoral research project
- Make regular visits to large-scale facilities for Neutron, X-ray and Muon-based experiments.
- Experiment design and execution
- Analyze and interpret experimental results
- Write scientific articles for publication in peer-reviewed journals
- Present at international conferences
- Supervise student projects and basic administrative support
- Contribute to teaching
Profile
We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with a Master’s degree in Physics or a related field. The successful candidate should have a strong background in solid-state physics and quantum mechanics, excellent communication skills in English (spoken and written), and a willingness to learn and engage in challenging research.
We offer
- A challenging and exciting PhD project in experimental quantum magnetism, supervised by Dr. Ivica Živković and Prof. Henrik M. Rønnow.
- Access to state-of-the-art experimental facilities for microwave spectroscopy of rare-earth quantum magnets.
- Opportunities to perform measurements under low-temperature and high-magnetic-field conditions.
- A stimulating and collaborative research environment within the Laboratory for Quantum Magnetism and the broader EPFL community.
- Opportunities to present your research at international conferences and develop collaborations within the quantum magnetism community.
Informations
Applications should include grade transcript, CV, motivation letter and three contact persons for references. For any further information, please contact Dr. Ivica Živković ( ivica.zivkovic@epfl.ch ). We encourage applications from candidates of all genders and diverse cultural and personal backgrounds .
The selected PhD student will need to enroll in the physics program of the EPFL doctoral school. After one year of successful probation, the initial contract will be extended up to a total of four years. Doctoral school information and employment conditions at EPFL are described at:
