Research Fellow in Quantum Information and Electrodynamics

About us

UCL is one of the world's top universities based in the heart of London. It is a modern, outward-looking institution. UCL's staff and former students have included 32 Nobel prize winners. It is a truly international community: more than one-third of our student body – more than 35,000 strong – come from 150 countries and nearly one-third of staff are from outside the UK.

The advertised position is in Alessio Serafini’s research group, who has carried out substantial work in continuous variable quantum information, quantum optics and quantum control and who has currently a strong focus on the interface between quantum field theory and quantum information theory.

About the role

This post is a three-year postdoctoral research position within the Leverhulme Trust grant “The quantum information of quantum electrodynamics”, aiming at a systematic study of entropies, entanglement and quantum estimation in quantum electrodynamics. This will include the theoretical study of ground state entropies from the quantum field theoretical perspective, the fundamental study of bound-QED systems (such as positronium), as well as more applied scenarios, such as the description of Compton polarimetry in terms of POVMs and the possible minimisation of coincidence errors in PET scans.

This position is funded for three years in the first instance.

Candidates will need to upload a CV (including a list of publications), a statement of research interests and plans (3 pages maximum), and the contact information for two references. A cover letter can be included using the “Statement in Support of your Application” section of the online form.

About you

The successful applicant should have, or be about to obtain, a PhD in Theoretical Quantum Physics or a related discipline.

The role holder should also have at least basic knowledge of quantum field theory (e.g., they will be familiar with the Lagrangian formulation of quantum field theories and with Feynman diagrams and perturbative expansions) which is essential to the planning and execution of the project.

Effective written and verbal communication alongside analytical and problem-solving skills are also required.

Experience of coding in a research environment is also desirable.

Appointment at Grade 7 is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be a Research Assistant Grade 6B (salary £38,357 - £41,005 per annum, inclusive of London Allowance) with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis.

What we offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer great benefits. Please visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/rewards-and-benefits to find out more.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.

We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce or in the Physics & Astronomy department. These include people from Black and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and women.

You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/

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