PhD Position – Cryogenic Integrated CMOS Circuit Design and Electronics for Scalable Quantum Computing

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Combine your scientific interest and technical skills in the field of electrical engineering to create new knowledge for the socially and scientifically relevant areas of information, energy and bioeconomy. We offer you all of this at the Central Institute of Engineering, Electronics and Analytics – Electronic Systems (ZEA-2) with modelling, designing and developing the most innovative system solutions for science and society. In recent years, there has been a surge in research on novel computing architectures and artificial intelligence. This has led to the huge research and development efforts in the area of using quantum effects for new computing paradigms. This requires also huge efforts on control electronics shared between room and ultra-cold cryogenic temperatures.

Your Job:

We are working on scalable cryogenic electronics and integrated circuits (ICs) for quantum bits (qubits) to turn the vision of a universal quantum computer into reality. Scaling up to millions of qubits necessitates moving parts of the control electronics closer to the qubits. To achieve this, we design and implement cryogenic ICs for qubit control and readout in state-of-the-art CMOS technologies. Since qubits are extremely sensitive and operate in temperatures as low as a few hundred millikelvins, the requirements on power consumption, noise, and area are extremely challenging. This demands the development of new and groundbreaking architectures and circuit topologies. Our designed ICs and electronics are thoroughly measured and verified by co-integration in direct proximity with qubits. Your tasks include:

  • Analog, RF, mixed-signal, and/or digital integrated circuit design
  • Development and implementation of novel cryogenic circuit concepts
  • Design and simulation in industry-standard EDA software (Cadence framework)
  • Conduct verification of designed ICs/electronics in the laboratory and inside cryostats
  • Co-integration of ICs/electronics and qubit in close vicinity inside a dilution refrigerator reaching millikelvin temperatures

Your Profile:

  • Master degree or comparable in electrical engineering, physics or similar fields
  • Knowledge in integrated circuit design and the Cadence design framework
  • First experience with design for and conducting measurements in cryogenic temperatures is a plus
  • Self-driven development of solutions
  • Good communication skills and willingness to work in a diverse environment


Please apply for the position even if you do not have all the listed skills and knowledge.

Our Offer:

We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the chance to actively help in shaping the change! We offer ideal conditions for you to complete your doctoral degree:

  • Opportunity to work on highly relevant engineering challenges with state-of-the-art technologies
  • Continuous scientific mentoring by your scientific advisor as well as a close integration in the international research group
  • Publishing and presenting your work in (international) conferences and project meetings
  • Targeted services for international employees, e.g. through our International Advisory Service
  • Acquiring skills, demanded equally by academia and high-tech companies worldwide
  • Strengthening personal skills through an extensive range of internal training courses
  • Networking opportunities specifically for doctoral researchers via JuDocS, the Jülich Center for Doctoral Researchers and Supervisors: https://www.fz-juelich.de/judocs
  • Flexible working hours and the possibility to partially work from home

In addition to exciting tasks and a collaborative working atmosphere in Jülich, we have a lot more to offer: https://go.fzj.de/benefits

The position is for a fixed term of 3 years. Pay in line with 70 % of pay group 13 of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund) and additionally 60 % of a monthly salary as special payment („Christmas bonus“).
Further information on doctoral degrees at Forschungszentrum Jülich including our other locations is available at: https://www.fz-juelich.de/gp/Careers_Docs

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us.

We look forward to receiving your application. The job will be advertised until the position has been successfully filled. You should therefore submit your application as soon as possible.

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