Our research spans quantum foundations, quantum communication, photonic quantum information processing, quantum sensing and quantum optics. Across these areas, a common thread is the ability to prepare, control, interfere, measure and connect quantum systems with increasing precision.
Students work on real experiments from an early stage: building and stabilising optical systems, developing photon sources and detectors, automating measurements, analysing data, modelling experiments and learning how to turn a scientific question into a measurement that can actually answer it. Projects may range from tests of fundamental quantum principles and entanglement dynamics to higher-dimensional photonic systems, free-space quantum communication, quantum memories and multi-node quantum networks.
QuIC is also part of a wider research ecosystem. Our work connects with India’s National Quantum Mission, collaborations across India and internationally, and the Canada Excellence Research Chair programme in Photonic Quantum Science & Technologies at the University of Calgary.
We expect our students not simply to execute experiments, but gradually to learn how to conceive, design, troubleshoot and lead them.
We welcome students who are curious about quantum physics and genuinely interested in experimental research.
A QuIC PhD may involve areas such as:
We value:
Previous experience in quantum optics is useful but not essential. Experimental judgement is learnt by doing experiments.
PhD admission to RRI takes place through the Institute’s formal admissions process. Students admitted to RRI who are interested in QuIC are encouraged to interact with group members, visit the laboratories and discuss possible research directions before making their group choice.
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There is no single template.
Some students spend much of their time around optical tables developing highly stable interferometers or photon sources. Others combine experiment with numerical modelling, electronics, control software or data analysis. Some projects remain close to fundamental questions in quantum mechanics; others involve technologies intended ultimately to operate outside the laboratory.
As projects mature, students are expected to take increasing ownership of:
The objective is not simply to complete a prescribed experiment. It is to emerge able to formulate and pursue an experimental research programme independently.
Research at QuIC extends beyond a single laboratory or experimental platform.
Together with collaborations across India and internationally, this gives students exposure to a broad range of experimental approaches and scientific communities.
Specific opportunities for collaboration or research visits depend on the project, stage of research, funding and institutional arrangements and should not be assumed automatically.
We welcome enquiries from researchers interested in developing ambitious experimental programmes in areas aligned with QuIC.
We are particularly interested in researchers with experience in one or more of:
Postdoctoral researchers at QuIC are expected to take substantial scientific ownership of their work, contribute intellectually across projects, mentor younger researchers and help develop new experimental directions.
Specific funded openings will be advertised separately when available.
Researchers interested in joining the group should send:
QuIC regularly interacts with researchers from other institutions in India and internationally.
We welcome enquiries concerning:
A useful enquiry should identify the scientific question or collaboration being proposed and explain how it connects with current QuIC research.
Students are often curious about experimental quantum physics before they are ready to commit to a research group. We therefore try, when laboratory schedules permit, to provide limited opportunities for students to see ongoing QuIC experiments and interact with researchers working on them.
Such exposure may include:
These interactions are intended to help students understand what experimental research in the group is actually like.
Students interested in such exposure should send a brief note explaining:
QuIC does not ordinarily offer very short research projects or mini-projects. Meaningful experimental work requires substantial training, continuity and supervision, and experience has shown that extremely short projects rarely provide sufficient time for either the student or the experiment.
Laboratory shadowing is therefore not a short research project, does not involve an assigned project or expected research output, and is offered selectively depending on ongoing experiments and the availability of group members.
QuIC may be a particularly good fit if you enjoy the point where abstract quantum ideas meet real experimental hardware.
Experimental quantum physics requires conceptual clarity, attention to detail, persistence and an ability to move comfortably between theory, apparatus, computation and data. For students who enjoy that combination, it can be an unusually rewarding way to do physics.
Explore our Research, People, Publications and Gallery pages to get a sense of the questions we work on and the experiments currently under development.
For formal PhD admission, please follow the Raman Research Institute admissions process.
RRI PhD admissions ↗For postdoctoral positions, research visits, collaborations or laboratory exposure, contact the QuIC Lab with a brief description of your background and the specific area of research that interests you.
Email: usinha@rri.res.in (Prof. Urbasi Sinha)
Email QuIC Lab ✉These positions are now closed and are listed here for reference only.
Position in the QuIC Lab at RRI under India's National Quantum Mission (NQM-QC-US-03). Research areas include satellite-based quantum communications, quantum key distribution, and related experimental quantum information processing.
Position under the Quantum Experiments with Satellite Technology (QuEST) mega-project in collaboration with the UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) of ISRO. Aimed at developing quantum key distribution technologies for satellite-based secure communications.
Two openings for Project Engineers in the QuEST mega-project with URSC/ISRO. Developing quantum communications tools including satellite-based QKD systems.
Two appointments under the India-Trento Programme on Advanced Research (ITPAR), a bilateral programme between DST and the Italian counterpart. One theory position, one experimental. Project on integrated photonic system-based quantum communication.
Post-doctoral openings under ITPAR for integrated photonic system-based quantum communication. Project involved a sizeable portion of time to be spent in the Italian lab for collaborative research..