Lead Scientist Quantum Applications and Partnerships

Are you challenged by a dual coordinating/organizational and academic role in Quantum Software and Quantum simulations Do you enjoy working in an interdisciplinary research setting and do you want to be active in a variety of educational programmes The Institute of Physics is looking for an ambitious Lead Scientist Quantum Applications and Partnerships (Assistant Professor 2 level). You will work in close cooperation with the Molecular and Material Design Technological Hub.

As part of its existing Molecular and Material Design (MMD) hub the UvA Faculty of Science will start a program for Quantum Simulation for Molecular and Material Design. The aim is to leverage our strong expertise in Quantum Computing to contribute to Quantum Simulations in relation to Molecular and Material Design.

The initiative will benefit from expertise at QuSoft (UvA CWI and VU) aQa (Leiden University) SURF and a number of industry partners and it will be an integral part of an emerging vision for an advanced research centre for quantum applications to be housed in the LabQ building in Amsterdam Science Park.

The Quantum Simulation for MMD program will comprise a collection of seed-funding projects each coordinated by a senior researcher.

On the organizational/managerial side the Lead Scientist Quantum Applications and Partnerships you will be the direct contact with the Q-MMD seed funding projects and you will work with them to realise required Quantum Software and Quantum Simulations. You will also be the linking pin to real Quantum Computing hardware (e.g. at SURF) for proof-of-concept studies. The Lead Scientist Quantum Applications and Partnerships (Assistant Professor 2) will also form the memory in the system and will become part of future Public-Private-Partnerships and other projects safeguarding that expertise on quantum software for quantum simulation will remain available for our faculty.

You will also shape lead and coordinate a Quantum Science & Technology expertise group at the Faculty of Science which will comprise the Quantum Computing Simulation and Sensing related activities within the faculty. These include next to the Q-MMD program the IoP/QuSoft Quantum Gases and Quantum Information (QGQI) group the Quantum Computing for Quantum Chemistry (QC2) collaboration PPP projects (such as with quantum industry and startups automotive photonics) and other relevant activities in the Facultys research institutes and at QuSoft.

On the academic side you are expected to:

• develop your own research line of research relevant to and complementing the present quantum ecosystem in Amsterdam;
• act as teacher in teaching programs relevant to the position in particular in the Physics and Astronomy and Quantum Computer Science programs and including the supervision of bachelor and master students;
• (co-)supervise and mentor PhD candidates;
• successfully contribute to the acquisition of external funding with emphasis on projects (co)funded by industrial partners;
• develop new local national and international collaborations relevant to the quantum ecosystem in Amsterdam.

Our experience in similar positions shows that a balance of 50:50 in workload between these two parts is realistic. This naturally means that although the definitions of success in academic (research and teaching) and managerial performance will not qualitatively differ from the high standards IoP has across the board we recognize that the quantitative measures will be different than for a position that is primarily academic or primarily managerial.

Your experience and profile:

• PhD in physics or related discipline;
• Experience with quantum science and technology research;
• Experience in quantum software for scientific problems;
• Track record in research coordination and management as required for the envisioned managerial role;
• Experience in acquiring funding for research projects through government agencies or the private sector;
• A motivational teacher with an encouraging teaching style;
• Ideally some experience with the (co-)supervision of MSc and/or PhD students;
• Professional command of English and the willingness to learn Dutch.

International research experience is preferred as is a highly collaborative and enthusiastic approach.

We offer a temporary employment contract for 32-38 hours per week for a period of 18 months. The preferred starting date is as soon as possible. A permanent contract follows if we assess your performance positive.

The gross monthly salary based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience ranges between 4728 to 6433 (Scale 11) does not include 8% holiday allowance and 83% year-end allowance. The UFO profile Assistant professor 2 is applicable. A favourable tax agreement the 30% ruling may apply to non-Dutch applicants.

The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8000 as well as 1800 members of staff working in education research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works be it elementary particles the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

The Institute of Physics (IoP) of the University of Amsterdam is located in the centre of the Amsterdam Science Park. The IoP as part of the Faculty of Science is housed in a modern building with excellent labs and technical facilities. Surrounded by several national research institutes and with our partners at the Vrije Universiteit (VU) Amsterdam the institute is part of a strong physics centre of international standing.

Research at the IoP is organized in three research divisions: the Van der Waals-Zeeman Institute for Experimental Physics (WZI) the Institute for Theoretical Physics Amsterdam (ITFA) and the Institute for High-Energy Physics (IHEF) the latter embedded within the Nikhef collaboration the national NWO Institute for subatomic physics. The position will be based within ITFA.

Do you want to know more about our organisation Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

If you feel the profile fits you and you are interested in the job we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the button below. We accept applications until and including 15th August 2026.

If you have any questions or do you require additional information Please contact:

• Kareljan Schoutens email address: Professor and chair of the selection committee;
• Joost van Mameren email address: Institute Manager.

Applications should include the following information (all files besides your cv should be submitted in one single pdf file):

• a detailed CV including the start and finish months (not just years) when referring to your education and work experience;
• a letter of motivation;
• a list of publications;
• the names and email addresses of two references who can provide letters of recommendation.

We value diversity and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply even if you dont meet every requirement.

A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure (for details: national knowledge security guidelines). Only complete applications received within the response period via the link below will be considered.