Meta optics design engineer Part-time NEW

Meta Optics Expert Position

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Quantum Computing Programme (NQCP) at the Niels Bohr Institute in Copenhagen is looking for a meta optics expert to work on scalable neutral atom quantum computing from 1 October 2026.

Role Description

You will be part of a thriving quantum eco-system at the Niels Bohr Institute interacting with international/national collaborators and on-site quantum companies specialized in e.g. qubit measurements and quantum error correction algorithms.

• The core responsibilities include modeling, simulating and designing components and chips for photonic and neutral atom quantum processors. The work spans device- to circuit-level considerations, with an emphasis on connecting physical implementations to scalable and performant quantum architectures.
• Your components and material simulations will be essential input for realizing improved quantum computing hardware, which will be fabricated and characterized by the NQCP fabrication and characterization teams to establish feedback loops.
• Furthermore, your simulations will contribute to identifying the most promising platform for scalable fault tolerant quantum computing (as a part of the pathfinder phase 2025-29), setting the grounds for the scaling phase of the programme (2030-2035).

The programme has a strong focus on materials R&D for realizing state of the art quantum processor technologies, which will be synthesized in ultra-high vacuum facilities as it is expected to be essential for improving qubit performance through material optimization (multimillion DKK investment by the partnership company Quantum Foundry P/S).

About you

We expect you to drive efforts that will support the design and development of chip-based photonic qubit platforms. You will be working in tight collaboration with both theoretical and experimental groups and we therefore expect you to have:

• Strong analytical and computational skills
• A passion for complex research and development projects
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a dynamic research environment

Qualifications

The successful candidate will have some of the following qualifications:

• Master or PhD in physics, photonics engineering, or related.
• Proven coding experience in scientific or numerical computing, with familiarity in collaborative software development workflows (e.g. Git‑based version control, code reviews, and shared repositories).
• Experience (industrial and/or academic) with finite element method and finite-difference time-domain simulations using software such as COMSOL, Ansys (e.g., Lumerical), Meep, or similar.
• Experience with simulations of optical quantum computing hardware is preferred, with special focus on nonlinear optics, metasurface‑based photonic devices, and/or neutral‑atom platforms.
• Experience with electronic design automation (EDA) tools is preferred.
• Experience with working in a collaborative environment with both theoretical and experimental groups.
• Good communication skills and ability to coordinate the work in a complex research program.

Why Us?

We want to make Denmark a world leader in quantum research, and we hope to attract people from all over the world.

Life in Denmark is supported with strong social services (free universal healthcare, free/subsidised language courses, paid parental leave, subsidised day care institutions and excellent public schools). Our work culture is very egalitarian and prioritises work life balance. Dual career families are the norm, and workplaces offer flexibility to support everyone in having both an exciting career and good family time. Danish cities are known for having excellent infrastructure, for example through widespread bike path networks. We can also offer a thriving food-scene, excellent museums, and beautiful natural scenery.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Terms of salary and employment

The employment and salary are made in accordance with the Circular on the Collective Agreement concerning academics in the state sector concluded between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations).

Employment will be as academic officer or senior consultant. The salary is based on seniority. Negotiation for salary supplement is possible. The working time are 37 hours per week on average and the working hours are flexible.

The positions are limited in time until 31 December 2029. Appointment will be subject to receipt of a security clearance.

Your application

Please send an electronic application with attachment.

• Curriculum vitae, including a short cover letter.
• Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent)
• Publication list (if relevant)
• Separate reprints of up to 3 particularly relevant papers (if relevant)

The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

The positions are open from 1st of October 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

For questions regarding the position please contact Mark Kamper Svendsen (mark.svendsen@nbi.ku.dk), Beñat Martinez de Aguirre Jokisch (benat.jokisch@nbi.ku.dk) or Georgios Kountouris (Georgios.kountouris@nbi.ku.dk).

The deadline for applications is 15th of August 2026, 23:59 GMT +1. After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee.

The University of Copenhagen has established a new shared administrative organizational structure, which is currently being implemented. This entails ongoing changes and the development of, among other things, workflows and interfaces for collaboration.