This position involves research into theoretical computer science aspects of quantum computing and quantum information theory, supervised by Prof. Ronald de Wolf, in CWI’s Algorithms and Complexity group. Specifically, the project will focus on one or more of the following topics: the development of new quantum algorithms (for example for optimization problems) and the analysis of their complexity, the analysis of theoretical aspects of quantum machine learning and quantum communication complexity, and applications of quantum techniques to problems in classical computer science and mathematics. This is primarily a theoretical computer science position.

The starting date for the position could be anywhere between October 1, 2019, and January 1, 2020.

Candidates are required to have a Master’s degree in the area of theoretical computer science, mathematics, or physics, with a focus on quantum computing and quantum information theory. Other required qualifications for candidates include proven research talent (in the form of a publication and/or an innovative and independent Master’s thesis), an excellent command of English, and good academic writing and presentation skills.

A big plus would be if you have any prior research experience that has resulted in publications in conferences like STOC, FOCS, Complexity, ICALP, STACS, QIP and/or journals like Journal of the ACM, SIAM Journal on Computing, Theory of Computing, Physical Review Letters, Quantum information & computation. But this is not a requirement.

The terms of employment are in accordance with the Dutch Collective Labour Agreement for Research Centres ("CAO-onderzoeksinstellingen"). The initial labour agreement will be for a period of 18 months. After a positive evaluation, the agreement will be extended by 30 months. The gross monthly salary, for a PhD student on a full-time basis, is €2,346 during the first year and increases to €3,007 over the four-year period. Employees are also entitled to a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary and a year-end bonus of 8.33%. CWI offers attractive working conditions, including flexible scheduling and help with housing for expat employees.

Please visit our website for more information about our terms of employment: https://www.cwi.nl/jobs/terms-of-employment.

Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica

Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI) is the Dutch national research institute for mathematics and computer science and is part of the Institutes Organisation of the Dutch Research Council (NWO). The mission of CWI is to conduct pioneering research in mathematics and computer science, generating new knowledge in these fields and conveying it to trade, industry, and society at large.

CWI is an internationally oriented institute, with 160 scientists from nearly 30 countries. Its facilities are first-rate and include excellent IT support, career planning, training, and courses.

CWI is located at Science Park Amsterdam, which is a major location of research in the exact sciences in the Netherlands, housing the sciences of the University of Amsterdam, several other national research institutes besides CWI, and the AMS-IX internet exchange.

Research group

Our research group is part of QuSoft. For more information about the group see our webpage.