Imperial College and UCL have a research grant of £3 million for 4 years from the UK EPSRC to develop distributed quantum computing (DQC). While based at
Imperial College, this post-holder will join the multi-disciplinary team to develop viable architectures and techniques to efficiently connect quantum
processing units (QPUs) for scalable quantum computing. Our work spans from developing the DQC architecture and demonstrating prototype optical
interconnector units with quantum memory, to developing algorithms suited for the system-level architecture to show the potential advantages of DQC.
The main research focus for this post-holder is to investigate the hybrid architecture with mixed use of QPUs and conventional computer nodes (CCNs) for
generic machine learning and optimization algorithms, to reveal tradeoffs among various architectural design choices. We aim to develop approaches and
algorithms to partition a given computational intensive application into tasks that are allocated to distributed QPUs and CCNs for processing to achieve
the highest efficiency, while considering the merits and constraints of QPUs and CCNs.
This initial term of this post is 12 months, possible renewal up to 2 years subject to funding. This position is an excellent opportunity for a researcher
with strong background in quantum computing, quantum networks and/or conventional communication networks and distributed computing. Strong analytic
skills including stochastic models, optimization and algorithm design will be helpful.
Essential requirements
- Hold a PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a closely related discipline, or equivalent research, industrial or commercial experience
- Near completion of a PhD (or equivalent) Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a closely related discipline
- Conventional communication networks and/or distributed computing
- Quantum computing and/or communications
- Machine learning and optimization techniques
- Willingness to work as part of a team and to be open-minded and cooperative
Closing date: 19-May-2024
Position type: Full time, fixed term
Salary: £45,593 - £53,630 per annum
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The post is funded by the EPSRC grant “Distributed Quantum Computing” and the postholder will be part of the project team and contribute to its workplan.
This project brings together a multi-disciplinary team of researchers across a range of disciplines from Quantum Computing (QC) and Information and Communication
Technologies (ICT) to tackle the timely challenge of the design and efficient use of networked clusters of quantum devices for distributed quantum information
processing (DQIP). The successful candidate will work on the optical interconnect layer of this project, which focuses on the encoding and efficient transmission
of quantum information in photonic systems to transmit across a quantum network.
Duties and responsibilities
The successful candidate will work in the Photonic Quantum Information group led Prof Ian Walmsley, in particular in the quantum memories section led by Dr. Sarah
Thomas, and will focus on the development of quantum memories for applications in quantum networks. We develop alkali-atom-ensemble-based quantum optical memories
that offer noise-free GHz-bandwidth storage and active retrieval of quantum states of light. We will work on novel means for increasing the efficiency and maximizing
the storage time of a photonic quantum memory for the telecom C band that can directly store quantum optical states. We will also explore the use of atomic-ensemble
based quantum memories in all-optical neural networks, to enable enhanced capabilities of the processing nodes of future quantum networks.
Essential criteria
- Hold a PhD in Quantum Optics
- Proven research experience in experimental quantum optics
- Strong record of research delivery and some record of publication in the above or cognate fields, commensurate with experience
Desirable criteria
- Experimental and theoretical knowledge of optical quantum memories
- Experience in pulsed lasers, diode lasers, and laser modulation
- Knowledge of neural networks
- Experience in operating single-photon sources (SPDC, quantum dots, etc.)
Position type: Full time, fixed term
Salary: £45,593 – £53,630 plus benefits
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Imperial College London, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Applications are invited for one fully funded PhD student position in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
(EEE) at Imperial College in London. Successful candidates will perform fundamental research in the area of distributed quantum computing and communications,
including hybrid quantum and conventional computing, through collaboration on a multi-disciplinary team. Applicants are expected have strong background in one
of the following two broad areas: (1) Quantum computing or communications, or (2) Conventional communication networking or distributed computing. It will be
helpful to have strong analytical skills including stochastic models, optimization techniques or machine learning. Although not a prerequisite, research
experience and/or publications in the related areas will be viewed positively.
The doctoral research will be carried out within the Communications and Signal Processing Group in the EEE Department at Imperial. The successful PhD applicant
will be supervised by Professor Kin K. Leung (Kin.Leung@imperial.ac.uk), although the student may be also jointly supervised by other faculty member(s),
depending on the research topics.
Funding: The PhD studentship will cover the home/EU/overseas tuition fees and living stipend worth approximately £17,000 per year (tax-free)
for three and half years at Imperial. The PhD studentship is expected to start soon.
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