Postdoctoral researcher in Quantum Cryptography

Are you a high potential young researcher who recently obtained a PhD degree in Quantum Information Science? And are you ready to join QuSoft, a world-leading research center on quantum software in Amsterdam?

This postdoc position is part of the VIDI project 'Cryptography in the Quantum Age'. The successful applicant will join the group of Christian Schaffner. The aim of the project is to develop new quantum-cryptographic protocols (dealing with quantum data and computational assumptions) and explore their limitations. Another aspect is to investigate the security of classical cryptographic schemes against quantum adversaries (post-quantum cryptography).

What are you going to do?

You will be expected to fulfil the following tasks:

• conduct research in quantum cryptography within the scope of the project;
• present and publish research findings together with team members in proceedings and journals, and at international workshops and conferences;
• assist in guiding PhD and MSc students working on topics in quantum cryptography.

While this is primarily a research position, you will have the opportunity to contribute to teaching activities.

What do we require?

You should:

• hold or be about to obtain a PhD degree in computer science, mathematics or physics;
• have a proven track record of excellence in cryptography and/or quantum information, as witnessed by a strong publication list in relevant first-tier conference proceedings or journals;
• in-depth knowledge of one of the following fields is a plus: continuous variables, quantum security notions, delegated quantum computation, post-quantum security;
• have strong passion for research, a drive to publish and the wish to learn new skills through working with or assisting in guiding PhD and MSc students;
• have good communication skills in English, both oral and written.

Our offer

Starting date: as soon as possible.

Your appointment is full-time (38 hours per week) on a temporary basis for one year. Subsequently an employment contract as a postdoctoral researcher for one year at CWI may be possible, depending on the assessment of your performance and available funding.

Your full-time gross monthly salary is between €2,709 and €4,274 gross per month, depending on your experience (salary scale 10). Your annual salary will be supplemented with 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities applies.

Are you curious about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits like our excellent opportunities for study and development? Take a look at our website.

Questions?

Do you have questions about this vacancy? Or would you like to know more about our organisation? Please contact:

• Christian Schaffner

About the Faculty of Science

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 6,500, as well as 1,600 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

The Institute for Logic, Language and Computation (ILLC) is an interdisciplinary research institute that aims at bringing together insights from various fields concerned with information and information processing, such as computational linguistics, computer science, artificial intelligence, logic, philosophy, mathematics, linguistics, cognitive science and music cognition. Its central research area is the study of fundamental principles of encoding, transmission and comprehension of information. It offers an international research environment with world-class faculty in all of its areas of specialization.

Staff members at ILLC as well as the next-door research centre for quantum software QuSoft (Jop Briet, Harry Buhrman, Serge Fehr, Maris Ozols, Stacey Jeffery, Michael Walter, Ronald de Wolf, Christian Schaffner) do research on a variety of topics in quantum information processing including quantum cryptography, quantum algorithms, cryptographic protocols and complexity theory.

Job application

The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritise diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity.

Please apply using the link below. Your application should include (in one single .pdf file, using your surname as the file name):

• a cover letter, including a description of your research interests and accomplishments, as well as an explanation for why you are applying for this position (at most two pages);
• a detailed curriculum vitae (CV), including your list of publications;
• links to two selected publications available online which you are proud of, with a short motivation for the selection made (mature drafts of papers or papers currently under submission are also acceptable);
• a link to your PhD thesis available online (if available already) or an indication of the current status of your PhD thesis;
• the name and contact details (including email address) of three academic referees.

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