Research Associate

Full time: 35 hours per week

Fixed term: 24 months

The School of Informatics at the University of Edinburgh invites applications for several Postdoctoral Researcher positions, in areas including, but not limited to, quantum algorithms, quantum machine learning, verification, error mitigation, benchmarking, distributed and cloud quantum computing, quantum cryptography, quantum communications and quantum simulation.

The Opportunity:

These roles are part of the Quantum Software Lab (www.quantumsoftwarelab.com), in collaboration with the National Quantum Computing Centre (www.nqcc.co.uk). The purpose is to enhance the research capabilities of this research group, known for its high-quality research in quantum informatics at the University of Edinburgh. The QSL currently comprises approximately 50 core members, including eight permanent staff, under the leadership of Prof. Elham Kashefi, Personal Chair in Quantum Computing and the Chief Scientist at the NQCC.

We strongly encourage applications from female researchers, minority ethnic groups, first generation academics/STEM and other underrepresented groups in academia. We also are very open to applications from those with non-traditional career paths, including those with family, caring or health career breaks, or those who have moved to academia from a career in another sector.

The successful candidates will work as part of either the EPSRC Hub for Quantum Computing via Integrated and Interconnected Implementations (QCI3) or the EPSRC Hub for Integrated Quantum Networks (IQN). As part of QCI3, the candidate may work on

• developing full-stack solutions targeting applications that fulfill the needs of our economy and society or
• supporting software infrastructure, including error correction, digital twins, verification and software stack optimisation.

As part of IQN, the candidate will help establish quantum networks at all distance scales, from local to intercontinental; in particular, they will investigate a hybrid approach with existing classical cyber-security standards, including novel emerging post-quantum algorithms and hardware security modules. They will work on design, cryptanalysis and formal security proofs for new generation of hybrid cryptographic protocols including authentication, identification, verification and distributed and cloud computing.

This role offers an opportunity to participate in and shape QSL’s projects, to a position of international leadership in the field. QSL researchers, in collaboration with industry professionals and NQCC’s application engineers, are transforming existing computational challenges into research problems that can be tackled using quantum technologies. Our researchers will work alongside government, industry, and academia to develop full-stack solutions tailored to the needs of our economy and society.

The salary for this post is UE07 £40,247 - £47,874 per annum. The role is full time (35 hours per week) and fixed term for 24 months, with the potential for extension subject to the availability of additional funding.

Your skills and attributes for success:

Essential:

• PhD (or near completion) in Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics, or related field.
• Candidates must have a strong background in quantum information or quantum computation.
• Proven expertise in the techniques needed to undertake the research in question.
• Demonstrated quality of research performance. 
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly, orally and in writing. 

Desirable:

• Experience and evidence of effective independent and collaborative research work within an interdisciplinary team
• Preferably, experience in research student supervision and grant writing
• A track record of first author and collaborative publication in high-quality journals or conferences, including in quantum computing literature  

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