Do you want to study how development processes of and imaginaries with respect to quantum technologies? And do you want to advocate for considering societal impact and normative perspectives in this area and contribute to building bridges between relevant communities?

This postdoctoral research fellow position is part of the new research group on the law and governance of quantum technologies at theInstitute for Information Law, University of Amsterdam. The Institute for Information Law is one of the largest research facilities in information law world-wide. The Institute brings together more than 40 researchers from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds. The research group is a part of Action line 4 on the Ethical, Legal And Societal Aspects of Quantum Technologies of the Quantum Delta NL ecosystem. At the University of Amsterdam, you will contribute to the activities of Quantum.Amsterdam and collaborate with the newly established Critical Infrastructure Lab and other relevant initiatives.

What are you going to do

Over the last years, public and private investment in quantum technologies, including quantum computing, communications and sensing, have received a significant boost. Quantum computing promises, if or when fully realizable, to add additional special-purpose computational capacity to our current-day digital infrastructure. Quantum sensing technologies are at a more advanced stage of development and will add advanced sensing and measurement capacity. Quantum communications technologies have potential applications in communications security and may see application in the space industry.

While real-world applications of most quantum technologies are still in their infancy, various initiatives have been launched to understand the possible societal impact of quantum technologies and to ensure that the development of these technologies proceeds responsibly. At the same time, the range of actors that now engages quantum theory and technology has broadened significantly, from a small community of quantum information scientists, to experts in social science, law, technology governance, public policy, ethics, international relations, as well as investors, tech industry leaders, policy makers, think tanks, journalists and the broader public.

The research fellow will explore the social construction of the field of quantum technology, addressing questions such as the following. How are imaginaries for quantum technologies negotiated across competitive fields of expertise, and between technical and non-technical experts? In what settings or for what purposes do these negotiations happen? Who engages in hype, who engages in counter-hype, and to what effects? What combinations of actors or expertise are enjoying traction, and for what purposes?

The research fellow will be part of the research group on the Law and Governance of Quantum Technologies at the Institute for Information Law (IViR) at the Faculty of Law of the University of Amsterdam. You will conduct original, cutting-edge research into the socio-technical and legal aspects of quantum technologies with a focus on emerging governance discussions relating to quantum technology and its development. You will participate in relevant fora for the governance of quantum technologies, contributing to the mission of responsible quantum technology development. You will play a bridge-building role between the research group and relevant technical communities, and depending on your background, develop relevant insights into the way in which different types of expertise get valued and negotiated.