PhD position on protocols to certify quantum advantage

This is a call for a PhD position in the Data Science and AI division at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology.

Information about the project
The project is funded by the Wallenberg Centre for Quantum Technology (WACQT), a 12-year, billion-SEK initiative started in 2018 with the purpose of advancing Swedish academia and industry to the forefront of quantum technology, and to build a Swedish quantum computer. Our ambitious goal at Chalmers is to build this quantum computer with 100 superconducting qubits and to apply it to real computational problems that cannot be efficiently solved on a conventional computer. Such computationally hard problems are found, e.g., in optimization, quantum chemistry, materials science, machine learning, etc.

The position is aimed at developing efficient and practical protocols for certifying quantum computational advantage on near-term quantum computers. There have been demonstrations of quantum advantage with existing devices (from groups at Google and USTC), however it is intractable to verify the results of these demonstrations. At the same time, there exist efficiently verifiable tests of quantum advantage, known as "proof of quantumness" protocols, but they are currently impractical to implement on existing or near-term devices (due to the large quantum circuits required to run the protocols, as well as their lack of robustness to noise). The main goal of this position is to try to bridge the gap between these two extremes. In other words, to develop tests of quantum advantage that are efficiently verifiable as well as suitable to perform on existing (or near-term) quantum devices. A secondary goal would be to understand the limitations of proof of quantumness protocols when run on noisy devices having limited qubit connectivity. Broadly, the fields of research covered are quantum circuit optimization, quantum complexity theory, quantum error correction and noise mitigation, as well as some elements of cryptography. The position would involve both theoretical research into proof of quantumness protocols as well as numerical simulations.

Major responsibilities
Your main responsibility as a PhD student is to pursue your doctoral studies within the framework of the outlined research project. You will be enrolled in a graduate program in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. You are expected to develop your own ideas and communicate scientific results orally as well as in written form. In addition, the position includes 20% departmental work, mostly as a teaching assistant in Chalmers' undergraduate and masters-level courses or performing other departmental tasks.

Qualifications
To qualify as a PhD student, you must have a master's-level degree corresponding to at least 240 higher education credits in a relevant field at the time of start. The position requires sound verbal and written communication skills in English.

Contract terms
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of five years.

We offer
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg. 
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees. Chalmers offers Swedish courses.

Chalmers aims to actively improve our gender balance. We work broadly with equality projects, for example the GENIE Initiative on gender equality for excellence. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application procedure: Read more and apply HERE

Application deadline: 31st August, 2022

For questions, please contact:
Professor Devdatt Dubhashi, CSE/DSAI
E-mail: dubhashi@chalmers.se

Assistant professor Alexandru Gheorgiu CSE/DSAI
E-mail: agheorghiu@ethz.ch

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. *** 
   



Information about the department
The Department of Computer Science and Engineering is a joint department at Chalmers University of Technology and the University of Gothenburg, with activities on two campuses in the city of Gothenburg. The department has around 270 employees from over 30 countries. Our research has a wide span, from theoretical foundations to applied systems development. We provide high quality education at Bachelor's, Master's and graduate levels, offering over 120 courses each year. We also have extensive national and international collaborations with academia, industry and society.

Our aim is to actively improve our gender balance in both our department and division. We therefore strongly encourage female applicants for our positions. As an employee at Chalmers and the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, you are given the opportunity to contribute to our active work within the field of equality and diversity.

Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, technology-related mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society. The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our six Areas of Advance; Energy, Health Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Materials Science, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!