Episode Details

In this episode, Mira and Chris speak to Sebastian Hofferberth about his journey through academia as he literally went from Heidelberg to Harvard, to Stuttgart, then Denmark and finally to Bonn where he became member of ML4Q. We talk about the challenges of this nomadic lifestyle, which almost every longtime academic faces. Of course, Sebastian also explains his work in quantum optics with Rydberg atoms and shares his passion for teaching. He discusses how quantum mechanics (can be) seems non-intuitive at first but can be made more approachable.

00:00:00 Intro 00:01:00 Welcome Sebastian 00:03:20 Quantum optics between fundamental and applied research 00:06:22 What are Rydberg atoms? 00:10:25 Reflecting on the PhD project 00:14:11 Working as a postdoc with Mikhail Lukin 00:16:55 Balancing work and family 00:23:20 Moving to Denmark for full professorship and reflecting on dual-career challenges 00:38:42 Back to Germany for the last move 00:42:20 Discussing current research and the Rydberg blockade 00:53:48 Working in the new environment of Bonn and ML4Q 00:59:48 What about Rydberg atom quantum computing? 01:16:00 About EIN Quantum NRW and quantum education