Summer internship in a quantum computing lab

This is a summer project for undergraduate students in the stimulating research environment of 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. For a superconducting quantum computer to operate correctly, it is essential to maintain specific and very low temperatures in different stages of its corresponding cryogenic subsystem. A cryostat typically has its own control computer which continuously monitors the relevant temperatures, and it can trigger safe shutdown routines in case of emergency. For security reasons, the control computer is designed to operate in full autonomy and does not allow for a remote access outside of the lab environment. This is satisfactory as far as preventing a potential damage of the equipment and safeguarding the working environment in a lab is the main concern, but it comes short for a finer monitoring and temperature changes tracking that are often necessary to be able to guaranty a correctly operating quantum computer. This need can be partially elevated by a manual inspection in the lab, but a having a system for secure, remote, and automatic tracking & processing of cryostat temperature data would be highly beneficial. Such a system is the topic of this summer project.

Information about the division/the project
The goal of this project is to build a hardware and software system for online temperature monitoring of a quantum computer cryostat. This will be achieved placing a small Raspberry PI (R-PI) computer between the cryostat control computer and an additional control computer in the lab which has internet connectivity. The R-PI computer will ensure data readout, firewalling, and data forwarding to database storage. Finally, data will be made accessible in an alignment with an existing quantum computer SW stack with REST API and visualized using the Grafana tool. Together with lab experts the system can be further extended with built-in routines for detecting anomalies and sending preventive warning messages to experimentalists.

The successful applicant working on this project will get a unique opportunity to get access to a quantum computing lab and work with its equipment. Such work has undoubtedly the potential to nurture a further interest in quantum technologies, especially from the experimental angle. Additionally, the fruits of this work, if successful, can easily be replicated on multiple cryostats in the lab and many experimentalists will find it very useful. The produced software will be permissively licensed open-source and it will be merged in the quantum computer SW stack developed at WACQT.

The work will be carried out at the Quantum Technology Laboratory (QTL) which is a part of the broader WACQT team at Chalmers which currently has about 80 members (faculty, permanent research staff, postdoctoral researchers, PhD students, and undergraduate students) and is expanding. WACQT is committed to promoting career development, diversity, and gender equality through networking and supporting activities.

Our department (MC2) is host to the state-of-the-art MC2 Nanotechnology Laboratory cleanroom, the largest such facility in Northern Europe, and our measurement lab at QTL is well equipped with cryogenic and microwave electronic equipment. We are in a position to build and operate large-scale quantum processors!

The position is not limited to Chalmers students only. All undergraduate students are welcome!

Contract terms
Temporary employment, for up to 2.5 months.
This is a paid internship.

Qualifications
Required qualifications
- Background in Computer science and engineering or Information technologies
- Knowledge of the Linux environment and networking
- Programming in Python

Desired qualifications
- Experience with a laboratory environment
- Experience with embedded development on Raspberry PI
- Attention to detail and security

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

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 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
The application should be marked with Name, Ref 20230293 and be attached as PDF files. Please submit your CV, cover letter stating your interest in the project, and the contact information of at least one reference person. 

Please use the button at the bottom of the page to reach the application form.


Application deadline: May 14, 2023

For questions, please contact:
Dr. Miroslav Dobsicek, QTL, dobsicek@chalmers.se
Dr. Abdullah-Al Amin, QTL, alamina@chalmers.se