PhD position in algorithm and user-interface development for hybrid quantum computing

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25 days remaining

PhD position in algorithm and user-interface development for hybrid quantum computing

Deadline Published Vacancy ID 2026/49
Apply now
25 days remaining

Research fields

Physics; Computer science

Job types

PhD

Education level

University graduate

Weekly hours

36 hours per week

Salary indication

€3059—€3881 per month

Location

De Zaale, 5612AZ, Eindhoven

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Job description

Are you passionate about quantum technologies and eager to further develop a Rydberg atom quantum computing platform as a 24/7 user-facility for hybrid quantum comping? Join us! We are looking for a candidate that drives the theory of Rydberg atoms in optical tweezers, algorithm and software development for our full-stack quantum computers.

Information
At TU/e, the ultracold atom laboratory of CQT, part of the Center for Quantum Materials and Technology (QT/e), is developing neutral‑atom quantum computing platforms based on Rydberg interactions. This project is part of the KAT‑1 Quantum Delta NL program on hybrid quantum computing, a demonstrator built on Quantum Inspire, the European quantum computer that offers 24/7 online access. A crucial component is our Rydberg Simulation Platform (RySP)—the digital twin and software control unit of our atomic tweezer testbeds—which also underpins the Rydberg emulator backend already available on Quantum Inspire.

Your role will be to lead the extension of RySP to fault‑tolerant logical qubit operations, including the design, implementation, and validation of quantum error‑correction (QEC) protocols tailored to neutral‑atom architectures. This entails integrating atom shuttling, developing logical gate primitives, and adding circuit transpilation and code‑interpretation layers to the existing software stack. You will also extend RySP to host quantum algorithms for benchmarking our neutral‑atom hardware against RySP itself and against other quantum‑computing platforms. RySP runs on the Eindhoven HPC infrastructure; as part of this effort, you will help evolve RySP into an external access portal offering expanded functionality complementary to Quantum Inspire.

The selected candidate will play a leading role in the full‑stack integration of our quantum computing platform and help convert scientific questions into feasible quantum computations. You will collaborate with the Eindhoven high‑performance computing center (HPC) and interface the platform with Quantum Inspire, making it accessible to the broader community. Working closely with experimentalists, you will help make our control software compatible with external access and further develop the Rydberg emulator backend for integration with qubit hardware.

The qubit hardware that we operate in our laboratories are two neutral‑atom quantum computing platforms (rubidium and strontium). Optical tweezer arrays provide programmable and precise control and site‑resolved single‑atom readout. Rydberg excitation enables strong nearest‑neighbor coupling for multi‑qubit entanglement. The architecture is highly scalable to large qubit counts via array reconfiguration, atom shuttling, and parallel control—offering a promising route to fault‑tolerant quantum computing. The platforms are built for stable, continuous operation with 24/7 online access for community use. More information: www.tue.nl/rydbergQC.

The selected candidate will work together with several PhD candidates (other vacancy available here), fellow postdocs/quantum engineers, MSc students and the PI’s within the ultracold atom team at QT/e. Moreover they will collaborate with the ultracold strontium lab at the UvA in Amsterdam, other partners within the Kat-1 collaboration and the Casimir Institute and the wider QNL quantum research network in the Netherlands. The work will be carried out in the Center for Quantum Materials and Technology (QT/e) within the CQT research group.

Requirements

  • A master’s degree (or an equivalent university degree) in the field of computer science, physics, preferably in the AMO field, or a comparable domain.
  • A research-oriented attitude.
  • Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team and interest in collaborating with industrial partners.
  • Motivated to develop your teaching skills and coach students.
  • Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level).

Conditions of employment

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:
  • Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment.
  • Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 3,059 - max. € 3,881).
  • A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
  • High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
  • An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
  • An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
  • A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.

Additional information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the project leader and scientific director of QT/e Servaas Kokkelmans, s.kokkelmans@tue.nl.

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact Suzan van Dongen, project manager Quantum Computing, e.m.w.m.v.dongen@tue.nl.

Curious to hear more about what it’s like as a PhD candidate at TU/e? Please view the video.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

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