With this project, you will join a team of experimental and theoretical quantum physicists at the University of Amsterdam under the supervision of Arghavan Safavi-Naini. Our theory team is active both on proposing next generation protocols and devices for quantum computation and quantum information theory, as well as closely collaborating with the groups of Rene Gerritsma and Florian Schreck to guide and support the current generation of experiments.

NISQ devices present significant opportunities in utilizing quantum science for a much broader range of applications beyond proof of principle concepts. These include quantum enhanced sensing or analogue quantum simulation. However, in both instances, both technical and fundamental noise hinder current experimental progress. Moreover, full scalability and fault tolerance, both crucial ingredients for a practical universal quantum computer, remain out of reach for the foreseeable future.

Fundamental sources of noise define intrinsic limitations on what may be achieved, both for NISQ devices and beyond. The fundamental source of noise that this project will investigate is the environment. Broadly speaking, the environment can be understood as everything except for the system under consideration. While technical advances can provide a means of isolating the system from the environment, in practice there are fundamental constraints on this approach. For example, even in a vacuum, there is coupling between the system and environment, leading to incoherent processes like spontaneous emission.

In this project you will aim develop improved understanding of the environment,  develop methods of mitigating the role of the environment, and finally to utilize the environment as a resource. You will work closely with Jeremy Young and Arghavan Safavi-Naini on all three themes. 

• at least 8 months of master project in either condensed matter theory, quantum optics, or quantum computing and simulation.
• good team working skills;
• good English skills;
• programming skills;
• strong letter of recommendation from master project supervisor;
• Beneficial skill: familiarity with a numerical method such as matrix product states, knowledge of open quantum systems, strong mathematics background

For MSCA PhD positions it is required that the applicant shall at the date of recruitment be in the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience) of their research careers and have not been awarded a doctoral degree. The applicant must not have resided or carried out her/his main activity (e.g. work or studies) in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the three years immediately prior the recruitment date.

A temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years). The preferred starting date is 1 October 2025 or as soon as possible after that. This should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and master students.