We are actively seeking an exceptional applicant (Australian domestic applicants only) for a PhD scholarship at Macquarie University, with Professor Peter Turner. Participate in an industry-engaged research project and undertake a six-month industry placement at Eigensystems.

Interference is a defining feature of quantum mechanics and an important resource in quantum information technologies. The well-known Hong-Ou-Mandel effect is perhaps the best known example, where two indistinguishable photons (more generally, bosons) ‘conspire’ to never leave the two exit ports of a balanced beam splitter simultaneously. This is in contrast to two distinguishable photons, which behave as independent classical particles (‘boltzons’), each exiting the ports randomly with no such conspiracy. Linear optical quantum circuits making use of bosonic interference were one of the first realisations of quantum computation, however mapping the evolution enabled by an interferometer, containing only linear elements, to a standard quantum circuit comprised of qubits is non-trivial.

Previous work by our group [Phys. Rev. A 97, 062329, Phys. Rev. A 98, 043839] established first quantised approaches to interpreting multimode, multiparticle scattering phenomena as quantum circuits. That work had immediate applications to non-universal models of computation such as Boson Sampling, and this project will expand the scope to look at a wider class of quantum optical protocols, universal models of quantum computation such as the KLM scheme [Nature 409 (6816): 46–52], as well as more recent developments in linear optical quantum computing. Critically, the approach taken will allow admission of realistic noise mechanisms (such as loss and distinguishability in the case of photonics) into the circuit modelling. The intermediate area between perfectly indistinguishable and completely distinguishable particles is particularly interesting, giving rise to novel mathematical questions using techniques from quantum information and group representation theory that we will explore.

This project aligns strongly with Eigensystems’ strategic objectives around emulation of quantum computation. Specifically, in light of recent results regarding the use of quantum sampling in proof-of-work protocols (https://arxiv.org/abs/2305.19865), the development and analysis of models for emulating new photonic approaches to both universal and non-universal quantum computation is strategically important.

Domestic students include Australian citizens, permanent residents, a person entitled to stay in Australia, or to enter and stay in Australia, without any limitation as to time and a New Zealand citizen. International students must either hold or be able to obtain a valid visa for the duration of the specified term.

The scholarship offers a competitive stipend and generous allowances.

HOW TO APPLY / LEARN MORE

Apply online or learn more through our website at https://sydneyquantum.org/program/next-generation-quantum-graduates-prog...

Applications Close: 14 May 2025, 11:59pm AEST

We have prepared this PhD Scholarship Application Guide to help you prepare your application - https://sydneyquantum.org/programs/phd-programs/how-to-apply-for-a-quant...

If you have any questions about making an application, please contact our education team by emailing info.sqa@sydney.edu.au