PhD student in computer architecture acceleration of quantum simulation

This project is part of QuantumStack, a 5-year project funded by the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research, with the aim of developing a full software stack for programming quantum computers. The project is integrated with 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.

Information about the research and the project
Within the framework of QuantumStack, this research focuses on computer architecture solutions to accelerate quantum computer simulation applications. These applications are very demanding in terms of both computation and memory. It is known that the increasing complexity of the quantum algorithms to be simulated results in exponential increase in both computation and memory resources. Consequently the research will be addressing these challenges with novel computer architecture techniques leading to the proposal of new Domain Specific Architectures. The acceleration of the simulation application will allow to explore more options for quantum compilation code optimizations. While this particular position focuses on solving these challenges on classical computer systems, the research will be conducted in close collaboration with quantum computer experts for the support in the particular application domain.

This particular part of the project will be run in the Division of Computer Networks and Systems within the Department of Computer Science and Engineering together with other researchers at the same Department and at MC2 and WACQT. Within the Division we have four faculty members, four postdocs and eleven PhD students who are engaged in research in computer architecture. The funding for the group comes mostly from national and EU projects. The faculty members have been awarded prestigious grants for their research such as the ERC advanced grant and also participate in top EU projects such as the European Processor Initiative (EPI) and other EuroHPC projects. The results of the research work are published in highly-ranked conferences and journals in the field. In this environment we are currently building up a new research focusing on the design of advanced Domain Specific Architectures. This announcement is for a position within this new growing group.

International students rate the Chalmers education experience as one of the best in Europe, according to results from the International Students Barometer. The quality of teaching and assessment receives particular praise. Additionally, when asked if the University was overall 'a good place to be' students' responses put Chalmers at number one in the world. Chalmers has launched a MSc program in High-Performance Computer Systems and in Data Science, putting the topic of this PhD project in the center of gravity of educational efforts.

Major responsibilities
As a PhD student at Chalmers, you have a five-year employment to carry out the research and course work needed to obtain a PhD degree. In addition, you will be helping out with teaching tasks to an amount of 20% of your time typically as a teaching assistant.

Qualifications
Required qualifications:
* MSc in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or equivalent.
* Excellent communication skills in written and spoken English.
* Ability to program in high-level languages such as Python or C.
* Knowledge in computer architecture.

Desired qualifications:
* GPU programming, FPGA development tools and HLS.

We value a collaborative attitude and an interest in working both in teams and independently. Self-motivation, attention to detail, and a problem-solving analytical ability are important personal qualities for this position.

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 Pedro Trancoso, Computer Networks and Systems division at CSE, ppedro@chalmers.se, +46 31-772 6319

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