Engineering the Quantum Future: Hands-On Research in Quantum Sensing, Quantum Computing & Quantum Communication – Applying photonic, electronic, and quantum engineering techniques to design, build, and optimize experimental setups for cutting-edge quantum sensing, computing, and communication technologies.
Quantum technology is reshaping how we measure, compute, and communicate and you can be part of it. Within the national Quantum Delta NL program, Saxions Applied Nanotechnology research group offers an exciting (graduation) internship opportunity for bachelor and master students to join our Applied Quantum Lab, where light, electronics, and quantum mechanics meet. It offers you the opportunity to work hands-on with state-of-the-art quantum systems in three major areas:
1) Quantum Sensing Explore the quantum world through nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamonds’ atomic-scale defects whose spin states can be manipulated and read out optically. You’ll learn to perform optical excitation, spin manipulation with microwave fields, and photon detection for ultra-sensitive magnetometry or electric-field sensing. Projects may include designing optical paths, integrating microwave and RF electronics, or automating data acquisition and analysis.
2) Quantum Computing Join ongoing research on integrated photonic processors; chips that perform quantum operations using light instead of electrons. With support from QuiX Quantum, you will engage with programmable photonic chips, optical control electronics, and quantum experiment protocols for photonic quantum computing. Possible directions include hardware modification and characterization, stabilization and calibration routines, and improvement of quantum performance with the ultimate goal of building a portable and robust photonic quantum computing demonstrator working entirely at room temperature.
3) Quantum Communication Gain hands-on experience with the optical and electronic principles that enable Quantum Secure Authentication (QSA), a revolutionary protocol that leverages quantum optics to verify identity using unclonable photonic keys. You’ll work on building and aligning photonic setups, implementing QSA measurement sequences, and analyzing optical response patterns. This involves lasers, modulators, beam splitters, and single-photon detectors, connecting photonics, coding, and system engineering. The goal is to bring quantum security methods closer to real-world use.
Whether your passion lies in aligning optical systems to sub-micron precision, writing control software, or exploring quantum algorithms, this internship provides a playground where theorymeets experiment and curiosity meets innovation. Depending on your background, your tasks may include optical alignment, optoelectronic circuit design, software automation, data acquisition, or theoretical modeling. You’ll work closely with researchers, engineers, and students from diverse disciplines, gaining both technical expertise and insight into the rapidly growing quantum ecosystem in the Netherlands.
Project duration:
Spring 2025/2026 (02-02-2026 – 10-07-2026)
Internship or graduation project:
Open for internship or graduation project
Educational programs:
- Applied Physics
- Electrical Engineering
- Applied Computer Sciences
- Industrial Product Design
Interested? Please send your motivation letter and CV before to appliednanotechnology.led@saxion.nl and include Dr. Tjeerd Bollmann (t.r.j.bollmann@saxion.nl) in the CC.