A single-spin molecular quantum sensor at University of Glasgow

Overview

This project aims to pioneer quantum sensors based on individual spins in luminescent molecules as a new class of nanoscale probes.

Background & motivation

By leveraging principles such as superposition and entanglement, quantum sensors enable magnetic and electric fields, strain and temperature to be detected with unprecedented sensitivity and spatial resolution. Among quantum-sensing platforms, optically readable electronic spins in solid-state systems have shown remarkable promise [1], enabling magnetic-resonance at the nanoscale, and opening impactful applications across biomedicine, materials science, and quantum technologies. To date, defect-based spins in crystals such as diamond have powerfully led the way but face key challenges in their tunability (i.e., tailoring for a specific sensing application) and proximal integration (i.e., coupling to targets with nanoscale spatial precision).

Quantum sensors from optically interfaced molecular spins

Housing spins in chemically synthesised molecules offers a compelling pathway to overcome these challenges and open unique opportunities for quantum sensing enabled by:

• tunability: chemical systems enable atomistic control over spin and optical properties for specific sensing tasks.
• nanoscale modularity: molecules’ compact (~1 nm) size opens unprecedented proximity to targets such as biological systems.
• versatility: functionalisation and self-assembly open novel routes for deployment.

Objectives

Our work has demonstrated key breakthroughs for molecular spin-based quantum sensing, including effective optical-spin interfaces [Science, 370, 1309 (2020)] [2], room-temperature operation [Phys. Rev. Lett. 133, 120801 (2024)] [3], and chemically enhanced spin readout [J. Am. Chem. Soc., 147, 22911 (2025)] [4]. Building on these demonstrations, this PhD project will push the frontier of molecular quantum sensing through unprecedented single-spin capabilities by:

• Demonstrating measurement and control of single molecular spins for quantum sensing.
• Exploring how molecular tunability can enhance key quantum-sensing metrics.
• Developing unique application use cases leveraging molecular advantages.

 Methodology

You will experimentally investigate candidate molecules using techniques such as:

• optically detected electron spin resonance;
• time-correlated single-photon counting;
• cryogenic scanning confocal microscopy;

complementing these with simulations of spin- and -optical dynamics, and analysis of structure-function relationships.

This multidisciplinary work will develop a broad skillset in quantum technologies—including magnetic-resonance based qubit control, quantum optics, molecular-level engineering, and quantum-mechanical simulations—with the overarching goal of opening unprecedented capabilities for nanoscale quantum sensing through a single-spin molecular platform.

Additional details

You’ll join the Quantum Optospintronics Group at the University of Glasgow, working in a collaborative, supportive, and interdisciplinary environment—spanning solid-state physics, quantum engineering, and physical chemistry—and with state-of-the art facilities (e.g., for detecting individual electron/nuclear spins). We have a broad network of national and international collaborators for you to interface with as well as experience generating related intellectual property (with three patent applications related to optically interfaced molecular spins).

Please contact Dr. Sam Bayliss (sam.bayliss@glasgow.ac.uk) to discuss this position further: we look forward to hearing from you!

Further details on the application procedure and funding (available through the Centre for Doctoral Training in Applied Quantum Technologies) are available at:

• https://www.aqt.ac.uk/how-to-apply/

Alternative funding routes are available through EPSRC Doctoral Training Awards, with further details available at:

• https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/engineering/phdopportunities/
• https://www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/electronicsnanoscale/

Please also see https://www.gla.ac.uk/scholarships/ for a list of additional scholarship opportunities, including the James McCune Smith PhD Scholarships for Black UK domiciled students.

 References

[1] Romana Schirhagl, Kevin Chang, Michael Loretz, and Christian L. Degen. 'Nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond: nanoscale sensors for physics and biology.' Annual review of physical chemistry 65, 83 (2014)

[2] Sam L. Bayliss*, Daniel W. Laorenza*, Peter J. Mintun, Berk D. Kovos, Danna E. Freedman, and David D. Awschalom. 'Optically addressable molecular spins for quantum information processing.' Science 370, 1309 (2020)

[3] Adrian Mena*, Sarah K. Mann*, Angus Cowley-Semple*, Emma Bryan, Sandrine Heutz, Dane R. McCamey, Max Attwood, and Sam L. Bayliss. 'Room-temperature optically detected coherent control of molecular spins.' Physical Review Letters 133, 120801 (2024)

[4] S. K. Mann, A. Cowley-Semple, E. Bryan, Z. Huang, S. Heutz, M. Attwood, and S. L. Bayliss. “Chemically tuning room-temperature pulsed optically detected magnetic resonance”, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 147, 22911 (2025)