Department of Applied Physics invites applications for

Doctoral Candidate in Coulomb Blockade Thermometry at the PICO Group (https://www.aalto.fi/en/department-of-applied-physics/pico-quantum-phenomena-and-devices) headed by Prof. Jukka Pekola

Since November 2018, the international system of units (the SI) was redefined in terms of fundamental constants with defined values, introducing a whole paradigm shift in metrology and how we define our units of measurement. Of particular interest, the unit of temperature, the Kelvin, has now been redefined as a function of the Boltzmann constant.

The current state of the art for thermometry for temperatures <25 K is complex. Traceable temperatures are referenced to the ITS-90 or PLTS-2000 scales, which require different expensive, sophisticated, and time-consuming experimental methods, which are only available in a few National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) globally. There is currently an ongoing project, in collaboration with various academic and metrological institute partners to develop primary thermometry across this range, to replace the current standards and provide a new way of practically measuring (and hence defining) the Kelvin.

One type of primary thermometer that shows great promise is the Coulomb blockade thermometer (CBT), using temperature dependent charging effects in mesoscopic metallic devices, first developed in [1]. The CBT has undergone a series of developments lead by PICO group and the Finnish Metrological Institute, VTT-MIKES to demonstrate accurate temperature measurements up to 60 K [2], and metrologically traceable temperatures [3], whereas in the lower temperature limit, the record is currently set at 500 microkelvin [4].

The project of the doctoral candidate will be to lead PICO group’s ongoing activities towards this research goal. The candidate will be trained in the nanofabrication and design of the relevant devices, as well as measurement techniques including cryogenic refrigeration, nanoelectronics, and potential for collaboration with metrological institutes for traceable implementations and cutting-edge techniques. The candidate will additionally be supported in becoming a recognised expert in this fundamentally and profoundly important field will have full access to the OtaNano research infrastructure, and the opportunity to work in a multi-national research group with strong international collaborations, as part of the Finnish National Centre of Excellence in Quantum Technologies. The skills acquired during the D.Sc. are currently in very high demand both in academia and in high-tech companies, with significant levels of investment from private and governmental funding agents in the field.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please send the following documents as a single PDF file (all documents in English).

(1)   Letter of motivation (1-2 pages)

(2)   CV including list of publications

(3)   Degree certificates and academic transcripts

(4)   Contact details of at least two referees (or letters of recommendation, if already available) 

Apply through the link “Apply now!” at the bottom of the page.

The deadline for applications is the 30.11.2019. The position will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate is identified. Aalto University reserves the right for justified reasons to leave the position open, to extend the application period and to consider candidates who have not applied during the announced application period.

[1] J. P. Pekola, K. P. Hirvi, J. P. Kauppinen, and M. A. Paalanen, Phys. Rev. Lett. 73, 2903 (1994)

[2] M. Meschke, A. Kemppinen, and J. P. Pekola, Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A. 374, 2064, (2016)

[3] O. Hahtela et al, Metrologia 54 69 (2017)

[4] M. Sarsby, N. Yurttagül, and A. Geresdi, arXiv:1903.01388 (2019)