We are pleased to advertise two fully funded PhD positions within the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) programme, in the framework of the QUESTING doctoral network (https://questing-project.eu/), focusing on emerging challenges in quantum networks.
Both positions are hosted within the Quantum Internet Research Group at the University of Naples Federico II (Naples, Italy). Additional information is available at:
https://www.quantuminternet.it/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/quantuminternet
https://youtube.com/@quantuminternetresearchgroup?si=ANDrwp-qnDJxv7dF
The selected candidates will have the opportunity to learn and validate their research on the quantuminternet.it testbed, an advanced research infrastructure based on entangled-photon technologies, enabling experimental validation of quantum network protocols and applications.
The project
Future quantum computers will operate as distributed systems interconnected by quantum networks. In such systems, software layers must reason jointly about quantum computation and network-provided entanglement. However, current quantum software stacks largely abstract away the network, assuming ideal connectivity and ignoring dynamic network constraints.
This PhD focuses on quantum software engineering, designing software components that adapt quantum applications, such as distributed quantum computing, to realistic quantum network behaviour. The work explicitly targets integration with quantum network simulators and/or quantum network testbeds, enabling the evaluation of distributed quantum programs under realistic assumptions.
What You’ll do
The successful candidate will:
• Define metrics to quantify quantum network parameters, including entanglement rate, fidelity, latency, and coherence time, for software abstractions of network-aware distributed computation design.
• Design a software-driven framework for dynamically adapting application requirements, entanglement usage, and execution order based on network conditions, by solving a multi-objective optimization of the computational complexity and network-induced delay.
• Integrate the proposed software abstractions into a quantum network simulator (e.g., NetSquid or similar) or a quantum network testbed to enable realistic validation of the proposed design.
Funding & Benefits
These positions are supported by a competitive funding scheme, offering:
Minimum gross monthly salary: approximately €3,800
Mobility allowance: €710/month
Optional family allowance: €660/month (if applicable)
Who Should Apply
Highly motivated candidates with a background in computer science, engineering, or related, a strong interest in quantum computing and quantum networks and strong programming skills in C++ and Python.
Eligibility requirement
Applicants must comply with the MSCA mobility rule, i.e., they must not have resided in or carried out their main activity (work, studies) in Italy for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately preceding the recruitment date.
For informal inquiries about this opportunity, contact info@quantuminternet.it
Interested candidates are invited to submit:
- Curriculum Vitae (including contact details)
- A copy of transcripts (graduate and/or undergraduate studies, as applicable).
- Contact information of two referees
