PhD position in Mathematics of Quantum Algorithms

QuSoft is looking for a PhD candidate for developing and analyzing new quantum algorithms for inherently quantum problems. This position is part of Maris Ozols VIDI project 'Mathematics of Quantum Algorithms', funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO). The goal of this project is to develop quantum algorithms for problems where both the input and output are quantum states as opposed to classical bit strings. We will particularly focus on problems with permutational and/or unitary symmetries, and attack them using quantum Schur transform and tools from representation theory.

What are you going to do?

You are expected:

• to complete and defend a PhD thesis within the official appointment duration of four years;
• to regularly publish and present your research results;
• to participate in research and outreach activities at QuSoft and UvA;
• to contribute to the UvA’s educational programme by working as a teaching assistant for courses in the area of your expertise and/or by assisting with the supervision of student research projects.

What do we require?

• Master’s degree or expecting to obtain it by the end of the 2019-20 academic year. Your degree should be in a relevant discipline such as Mathematics, Computer Science or Physics. You should have strong mathematical background and ideally previous experience with representation theory and quantum computing;
• 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.

Our offer

A temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (initial appointment will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years) and should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and master students.

The salary, depending on relevant experience before the beginning of the employment contract, will be €2,325 to €2,972 (scale P) gross per month, based on full-time employment (38 hours a week). These amounts are exclusive 8 % holiday allowance and 8,3 % end-of-year bonus. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The  Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities applies. 

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

Further information

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

• Dr Maris Ozols

About the faculty

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 7,000, 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.

QuSoft is the Dutch research centre for quantum software, launched in 2015 by the University of Amsterdam, 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.

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.

We look forward to receiving your application by 15 April 2020. You may apply online by using the link below.

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

• a letter of motivation (at most 1 page) explaining your background and how it fits the advertised position;
• a detailed CV;
• a link or a copy of your Master's thesis;
• a list of all Master-level courses you have taken, with an official transcript of grades;
• the names, affiliations and email address of 2-3 referees who can provide details about your profile (one of whom should be the main supervisor of your Master's thesis).

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