PhD position in Quantum Computing

QuSoft is the Dutch research centre for quantum software, launched in 2015 by the University of Amsterdam (UvA), the Centrum voor Wiskunde en Informatica (CWI) and the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU). QuSoft builds on these institutions’ excellent track record in quantum computing and quantum information.

QuSoft’s mission is to develop new protocols, algorithms and applications that can be run on small and medium-sized prototypes of a quantum computer. The main focus of researchers at QuSoft is on the development of quantum software, which requires fundamentally different techniques and approaches from conventional software.

Our centre is organized into four research directions:

1. Few-qubit applications
2. Quantum testing and debugging
3. Cryptography in a quantum world
4. Quantum architectures

Project and job description

The Institute for Logic, Language and Computation (ILLC) is looking for a PhD candidate to participate in QuSoft. As well as being an UvA employee, you will become a member of the QuSoft Centre. The PhD position is part of an ongoing research project on quantum algorithms for symmetric problems, under the supervision of Dr Maris Ozols. The goal of this project is to study quantum algorithms for problems with quantum input and quantum output under certain symmetry constraints, such as covariance. This will require the use of techniques from quantum algorithms (such as quantum Fourier transform and quantum circuit design) as well as from representation theory (such as Schur-Weyl duality and representations of the unitary and symmetric groups). As a potential application we will also investigate the use of these algorithms for quantum cryptography, such as for performing computation on hidden data or for encoding quantum software in quantum states.

You will be expected to contribute to the QuSoft research agenda. Specifically and will be asked to perform the following tasks:

●     to complete and defend a PhD thesis within the official appointment duration of four years;

●     to regularly present research results at international workshops and conferences, and to publish them in conference proceedings and journals;

●     to participate in and to contribute to the organisation of research activities and events, both at QuSoft and within the UvA, such as workshops and colloquia.

●     to contribute to the UvA’s educational programme by working as a teaching assistant for a course in the area of your expertise and/or by assisting with the supervision of student research projects.

Requirements

You should hold a Master’s degree, of expect to obtain this by the end of the academic year 2017/18. Your degree should be in a relevant discipline, such as Mathematics, Computer Science, or Physics, and you should have previous expertise in quantum computing and quantum algorithms. Furthermore, you should also possess:

• an excellent academic track record;
• a serious interest in pursuing fundamental research;
• good writing and presentation skills;
• good social and organisational skills;
• full professional proficiency in spoken and written English.

Please note that knowledge of the Dutch language is not required for this position, nor is it necessary to live in Amsterdam. However, you will have the opportunity to attend Dutch language classes if you wish.

Further information

Should you have specific questions regarding this position or the application procedure, you are very welcome to contact:

• Maris Ozols for further information.

Appointment

You will be employed by the Faculty of Science at the University of Amsterdam on a fixed-term full-time position (38 hours per week).

Your appointment is intended to be for a period of four years. The initial contract will be for 18 months. This will be extended with a further 30 months after a positive evaluation.

Your gross monthly salary amounts to €2,222 during the first year, rising to €2,840 during the fourth year, and will be supplemented with an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus. The Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities applies.

The starting date is negotiable but should not be later than mid October, 2018.

Job application

The UvA is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We value a spirit of enquiry and endurance, provide the space to keep asking questions and cherish a diverse atmosphere of curiosity and creativity.

Your application should include the following information (in one single PDF file, using your surname as the file name):

• a cover letter, including a description of your research interests and an explanation for why you are applying for this position (at most two pages);
• a detailed curriculum vitae;
• a list of all Master-level modules you have taken, with an official transcript of grades;
• a link to a writing sample available online, such as a Master's thesis, a term paper, or a publication;
• the names, affiliations, and email addresses of two or (at most) three people we can contact for letters of reference for you.

Your application must be submitted no later than 30 June 2018 via the link below. Please use the vacancy number 18-370 in any correspondence about your application. #LI-DNP