Opening Date: September 24, 2024 Closing Date: October 7, 2024 Ref:IFAE2024/33_QUANTUM_PHDstudent
About IFAE
The Institut de Física d'Altes Energies (IFAE) is a public consortium of the Generalitat de Catalunya, the Autonomous Government of Catalonia, and the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB, a public university) whose main objective is to carry out research and to contribute to the development of high energy physics from a theoretical, experimental and technological point of view. IFAE has the status of a "University Institute" attached to the UAB and its premises are within the campus of the University.
About Quantum Computing Technology group
In 2019, IFAE started a new line on quantum computation with superconducting circuits, the Quantum Computing Technology group, to study the implications of this emerging technology in different areas of particle physics. The Quantum Computing Technology (QCT) group at IFAE hosts a complete laboratory to perform experiments controlling superconducting qubits, including dilution refrigerators, and instrumentation for microwave signal generation and acquisition. The group also has access to a metal evaporator exclusively used to produce superconducting quantum devices. The QCT group has already demonstrated coherent control of superconducting qubits and is developing its own program on coherent quantum annealing, being the coordinator of the European FET Open project AVaQus, which aims to develop a prototype coherent quantum annealer and includes most of the top European laboratories developing superconducting qubit technology. The QCT group is also involved in project QRADEs for the use of qubits as detectors of particle physics events.
Required skills and evaluation criteria
The successful candidate will be expected to have:
A Master of Science (MSc) or equivalent degree in physics. Specific knowledge on quantum computing, and particularly on superconducting circuits, will be highly valued.
Knowledge of Linux and strong programming skills (preferably Python) are desirable.
Experience in laboratories involving research with cryostats, as well as cleanroom experience to fabricate nanodevices will be highly evaluated.
The candidate needs to possess excellent English communication skills.
The evaluation criteria and their weighting for the submitted applications will be the following:
Scientific excellence based on the CV and recommendation letters: 50 points.
Previous experience: 50 points.
What will be your role?
The successful candidate will contribute to the ongoing efforts in the QCT group in building small-scale prototype coherent quantum annealers with superconducting circuits for various applications in quantum computation, quantum simulation and quantum sensing. The role will involve quantum circuit design with specific finite-element simulation software, fabrication of devices in cleanroom environment, measurements using dilution refrigerators down to the millikelvin regime, as well as the handling of microwave technology and signal processing. The candidate will participate in all group activities as a full-time member. The activities bridge the work efforts from the FET Open project AVaQus (Annealing-Based Variational Quantum Processors, ref. 899561) to the new project QRADES.
Offered contract:
Full-time contract (40 hours/week).
Internship Contract (1 year maximum) + then Predoctoral Contract; It will last approximately 4 years maximum.
The position will correspond to "Research Technician" and later to "Predoctoral Researcher (R1)" within the professional categories of the IFAE.
Salary will be proportional to experience and qualifications within the corresponding category range.
Work with interesting experimental science. Travelling to scientific singular infrastructures. Opportunity to gain experience learning first-hand. Personal growth, innovation, and learning every day.
The selected candidate is expected to join the IFAE as soon as possible.
Application and Selection process:
Applications should be submitted to Dr. Pol Forn-Diaz (****** ) and ****** stating the job reference (IFAE2024/33_QUANTUM_PHDstudent) as the subject of the message. The mail should include their updated CV, including a full list of University grades, and arrange to have two letters of reference. Sending CVs to the above addresses implies consent to the IFAE's legal warning on data privacy.
The application must contain a personal identification number (DNI, NIE or passport) in order to proceed to the verification of absence of conflict of interest required by Recovery and Resilience Mechanism of the Spanish Government.
IFAE is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace and social integration of people with a disability. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. People from groups that are typically underrepresented in the labour market in general and in Science and Engineering in particular, such as women, minorities, or people with a disability, are particularly encouraged to apply.
A Selection Committee will evaluate the received applications. If more than one candidate seems equally suitable for the position, the Selection Committee will arrange an on-line interview with each one of them as part of the Selection process.
In compliance with article 121 of the Spanish Public Sector Legal Regime Act, staff with a pre-existing relationship with the Consortium administration (Generalitat de Catalunya and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona) will have priority in the awarding of the position.
You may contact Dr. Pol Forn-Diaz (****** ), for any questions related to this job opening.
Funding Statement
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