Quantum computers will revolutionize the field of computing. Lots of research is currently happening in this area, both to develop the quantum nodes as well as in the interconnections between them.

With this PhD position we want to focus our research to define the control mechanisms that allow quantum computers to communicate across the Quantum Internet. We want to address the communication constraints and requirements of applications and algorithms under development at QuSoft.

Are you passionate about the area of networking, and want to apply your knowledge in the field to solve emerging problems in the quantum setting? Do you have a deep knowledge of routing and switching (control) protocols in the classic setting and want to see how they can be reused, applied and modified for the quantum setting? Are you interested in analysing application requirements and translate them in operational instructions for the quantum networking hardware?

If yes, then this position is for you: you will be embedded in the effort made in the Netherlands on this topic within the Quantum Delta Project.

What are you going to do?

Tasks and responsibilities

You will:

• focus on the development and evaluation of control plane solutions for the quantum internet, with emphasis on supporting quantum applications and protocols relevant in the Quantum Delta Project setting;
• engage and collaborate with the experimental groups in TuDelft and TUEindhoven that are also part of this effort;
• develop appropriate proof of concept(s) to benchmark the performance or validate the applicability of proposed approaches;
• become active in the research community and collaborate with other institutes a that are part of the project;
• publish and present work regularly at international conferences, workshops, and journals;
• assist in teaching activities (labs) and in supervising bachelor and master students.

Your experience and profile:

• MSc in Computer Science, Electrical and computer engineering, Security and network engineering or equivalent program;
• Good knowledge of networking protocols, as per course list and ideally graduation work in the area;
• Sufficient understanding of quantum computing and quantum networks;
• Good programming skills (Python, C/C++);
• Fluency in oral and written English and good presentation skills;
• Commitment to maintaining an inclusive, collaborative, diverse, supportive work environment.

A temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years). The preferred starting date is as soon as possible. This 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 gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between € 2,541 in the first year to € 3,247 in the last year (scale P). UvA additionally offers an extensive package of secondary benefits, including 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. The UFO profile PhD Candidate is applicable. A favourable tax agreement, the '30% ruling', may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:

• 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;
• Multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
• A complete educational program for PhD students;
• Multiple courses on topics such as leadership for academic staff;
• Multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
• 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
• Partly paid parental leave;
• The possibility to set up a workplace at home;
• A pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
• The possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;
• Help with housing for a studio or small apartment when you're moving from abroad.

Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here.

Faculty of Science

The University of Amsterdam (UvA) is the Netherlands' largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 42,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity.

The Faculty of Science (FNWI) has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 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 mission of the Informatics Institute (IvI) is to perform curiosity-driven and use-inspired fundamental research in Computer Science. The main research themes are Artificial Intelligence, Computational Science and Systems and Network Engineering. Our research involves complex information systems at large, with a focus on collaborative, data driven, computational and intelligent systems, all with a strong interactive component.

You will be embedded in the MultiScale Networked Systems (MNS) group, part of the Informatics Institute at the University of Amsterdam. The group focuses its research on the fundamental architectural problems that arise from the interconnection of systems and of data flows and multiscale systems. E.g. cloud systems or clusters that define themselves by their dynamic size and scale, and on the network connecting them. We look at the emerging architectures that can support the operations of the future Internet. More information can be found here.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.