Applications are invited for a position as a Post-Doctoral Research Officer at the Department of Physics in the College of Science at Swansea University, to develop research in the field of theoretical quantum information, under the supervision of Dr Markus Müller (http://www.markus-mueller.website).

We seek a highly motivated, skilled and independent researcher, who will join our theory group and proactively contribute to ongoing grant-funded research in the area of topological quantum computation and quantum error correction (QEC). The project is part of an international research collaboration, which in a combined effort aims at the realisation of logical qubits, which outperform their constituting physical qubits – a key achievement to be reached on the route towards large-scale fault-tolerant quantum computers. The interdisciplinary consortium is led by the experimental ion-trap at Innsbruck University, and involves experimental groups at Mainz University, ETH Zurich, Sydney University, as well as theory nodes based at Oxford and Swansea University.

The theory research will be focused on, but not limited to, the theoretical development of realistic schemes for fault-tolerant quantum information processing in scalable AMO systems. One focus will lie on numerical and analytical studies of the performance of fault-tolerant quantum processing under realistic noise and the determination of error thresholds. This includes the development and analysis of extendible QEC schemes that allow one to operate larger registers of logical qubits, the development of QEC decoders based on machine learning and other modern approaches to quantum error correction, including for variants of topological QEC codes. On the other hand, this will be accompanied by work on realistic schemes to reach this break-even point of quantum error correction in experimental systems that are developed within the collaboration and beyond.

Candidates should hold a PhD in physics or a closely related field and ideally have a strong background in one or several of the following areas: quantum information and quantum error correction, topological quantum computation, quantum many-body systems, statistical physics, quantum optics, and atomic physics. Solid programming skills and experience in numerical simulation, based e.g. on Monte-Carlo type techniques, are desirable for the project.

This fixed-term position is based on fixed-term contracts that are renewable annually, conditional on renewal of the underlying grant. The preferred start date is 1st of April 2018, but is negotiable depending on the circumstances of the successful applicant.

For the complete job description and to apply please go to
http://www.swansea.ac.uk/personnel/jobs/details.php?nPostingId=5911&nPos...

Informal enquiries are welcome: markus.muller@swansea.ac.uk
Closing date: 21 February 2018