Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI) has a vacancy in the QuSoft research group for a talented PhD student, on the subject of algorithms for near-term quantum computers.
Job descriptionQuantum computing devices are rapidly increasing in scale and complexity. However they are still very far away from the abstract ideal of a computer. For the foreseeable future, running any kind of useful task or algorithm on such a device means explicitly taking into account their physical limitations. Do you enjoy working at the intersection between physics and computer science? Are you comfortable with mathematical work and interested in applying those skills in a practical setting? Then CWI and the Quantum Software Consortium invites you to apply for a PhD position where you will research quantum algorithms specifically designed for noisy, near-term quantum devices.
What are you going to do?As part of your PhD project, you will develop new procedures and algorithms to run on (near-future) quantum computers. Potential research directions for your PhD include:
- Developing efficient and noise tolerant algorithms for the simulation of quantum systems (defined by a Hamiltonian).
- Developing and studying error mitigation techniques for near term quantum algorithms, both in the general sense and specialized to particular use-cases.
- Investigating new algorithms for the classical simulation of (special kinds of) quantum systems, with the goal of integrating these classical algorithms into error mitigation techniques.
You will work under the supervision of Dr. Jonas Helsen, who will also serve as your co-promotor, and of Prof. Harry Buhrman as promotor.
You will also work in close collaboration with QuSoft, the Dutch research institute for quantum software, which houses experts on all topics in quantum computing. Together, the local institutes form a rich research ecosystem with opportunities to work together with computer scientists, physicists and mathematicians from the various groups situated at the Amsterdam Science Park.
You will start your PhD project (approximately) concurrently with a PhD student who will work on theoretical questions directly associated with the Quantum Delta NL initiative (in particular the benchmarking of noisy quantum devices). This will give you the opportunity to work together on research questions concerning near-term quantum computation.
You will:
- Research near-term quantum computation, by developing new algorithms and error mitigation techniques and by mathematically studying their properties
- Publish and present your work in international conferences and journals
- Contribute to the local research groups at CWI and QuSoft