The Department of Physics at the University of Jyväskylä is seeking an experienced, hands-on Staff Scientist to serve as the technical cornerstone of our growing quantum measurement infrastructure.
This 5-year position is designed for a skilled experimentalist (e.g., with 1–2 postdoctoral positions or equivalent industry experience) who thrives on solving complex measurement challenges, architecting low-noise cryogenic setups, and mentoring junior researchers. This is a career position for an experimental physicist who wants to stay hands-on.
The Role
You will operate at the intersection of academic research and the European quantum industry, with two main responsibilities:
- Lead Technical Architect for Quantum Infrastructure: You will be the driving force behind a new shared quantum measurement facility bridging academic and commercial partners, closely linked to the new EU Quantum Pilot Line for semiconducting qubits. You will oversee setup design, measurement automation, and the characterization of cutting-edge spin qubit devices from across Europe.
- Cross-Departmental Measurement Expert: Working across research groups in our department, you will help develop, troubleshoot, and elevate capabilities in RF/microwave engineering, cryogenic electronics, and quantum measurements more broadly.
Who we are looking for
We are looking for a pragmatic, delivery-focused experimentalist who takes pride in clean signals, robust code, and well-organized labs.
You are an experimental physicist or engineer who enjoys making difficult measurements work and wants to keep doing that.
Essential qualifications:
- A doctorate in physics, electrical engineering, or a closely related field.
- Solid postdoctoral hands-on experience (typically 2+ years in academic or industrial labs) working with millikelvin cryogenics (dilution refrigerators) and low-temperature electronic measurements.
- Practical expertise in RF/microwave techniques, high-frequency signal routing, or low-noise analog/digital instrumentation.
- Strong skills in measurement automation and data acquisition.
- Excellent communication and organizational skills to coordinate workflows across academic users and industrial partners.
Considered a strong advantage (but not strictly required):
- Direct experience with spin qubits, semiconductor quantum dots, or other solid-state qubit platforms (e.g., superconducting circuits, hybrid quantum systems).
If you are competent with dilution refrigerators and high-frequency/low-noise measurements in a neighbouring field (such as mesoscopic transport, optomechanics, or quantum sensing), we encourage you to apply.
What we offer
Long-term stability & impact: A 5-year fixed-term contract offering the freedom to focus deeply on engineering and experimental physics while building a premier European network across academia and the quantum industry.
Competitive compensation: For candidates with previous postdoctoral or industry experience, the salary is based on level 6 of the Finnish University Salary System (approximately EUR 4,300–5,000 per month gross, plus an annual holiday bonus). Combined with Jyväskylä’s relatively affordable housing and Finland’s comprehensive public services, this provides a high standard of living. If you are relocating from abroad, we will financially on organizationally support your move to Jyväskylä and Finland.
Finland offers a high standard of living, free education (also in English), affordable childcare, generous family benefits and comprehensive healthcare. The annual working time is 1,612 hours, providing excellent opportunities for work-life balance through generous paid leave periods, including several consecutive weeks during the summer and Christmas holidays. Jyväskylä is a university city in the Finnish Lakeland, three hours by train from Helsinki, with easy access to nature and outdoor activities. For more on JYU, Jyväskylä and living in Finland, see the University's International Staff Guide. A trial period of six months will be used in the beginning of the employment.
How to apply?
Please submit the following documents in English (PDF format) via the online application form by December 15, 2026:
- Curriculum Vitae (following the TENK template), highlighting your hands-on technical, instrumentation, and software skills alongside your academic roles.
- Motivation Letter (max 2 pages): Tell us about your technical background, your approach to building and managing experimental setups, and why a long-term Staff Scientist role fits your career goals.
- List of Publications (following Research Council of Finland guidelines). Note: In accordance with DORA/CoARA principles, we evaluate candidates heavily on their practical technical mastery and experience, not solely on publication volume.
- Degree Certificate (PhD).
- Contact details for two referees.
We look forward to receiving your application in our recruitment system by December 15, 2026.
For further information, please contact Professor Juha Muhonen, juha.t.muhonen@jyu.fi.
Our application process is transparent, professional and international. We communicate openly with the applicants throughout the recruitment process. We value equality and diversity in our work community and encourage qualified applicants to apply for this position.
We offer good working conditions for researchers and promote the principles of HR Excellence in Research, HRS4R. The Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) is based on the values of the European Charter for Researchers & The Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Charter & Code). JYU is committed to fairness, consistency and transparency in selection decisions, and undertakes the recommendations for the responsible evaluation of a researcher in Finland. JYU has signed the DORA Declaration. By signing the agreement, JYU is committed to complying with the CoARA principles.
A personal security clearance may be conducted on the selected candidate with their consent (Security Clearance Act 726/2014). More information about the security clearance process and the rights of the subject can be found here.
Department of Physics
Good science, good life! The Department of Physics is an internationally recognised and dynamic research community whose principal research strengths are nuclear physics, particle physics and material physics. Research in nuclear physics covers nuclear astrophysics, nuclear structure physics, and applied accelerator-based research. Particle physics research focuses particularly on strong interactions, ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions, neutrino physics, and particle cosmology. Research areas in materials physics include nanomaterials and thin films, quantum materials and quantum technologies, light–matter interactions, and the properties of nanoparticles. Experimental research is supported by the Accelerator Laboratory and the Nanoscience Center, as well as extensive global partnerships with major facilities including CERN and FAIR. From 2026, the department has hosted three Centres of Excellence (CoEs) funded by the Research Council of Finland: the CoE in Quark Matter, the CoE in Quantum Materials, and the CoE in Neutron-Star Physics. The department is committed to high-quality teaching and student guidance. Our community of around 200 staff members and 300 students offers a supportive, inclusive, and genuinely collaborative environment. Job satisfaction, collegial support and working together are essential parts of the department’s everyday life, where research, education and societal impact are closely interconnected.
