Postdoctoral Associate / Senior Research Associate

Virginia Tech • Blacksburg, VA

18d • Onsite

About The Position

We invite applications for postdoctoral associate or research associate positions in theoretical Quantum Information Science in the Physics Department of Virginia Tech. The focus of these positions will be on quantum error correction and fault-tolerant quantum computation. Topics of interest include quantum low-density parity-check (qLDPC) codes, code surgery and lattice surgery protocols, fermionic and bosonic quantum codes, machine learning approaches to decoding, magic and nonstabilizerness in quantum codes, tensor-network methods for code construction and decoding, and resource estimation for fault-tolerant architectures. There will also be opportunities to validate theoretical results on cloud quantum processors and emerging neutral-atom platforms. The successful candidates will join a vibrant research environment in the quantum information groups at Virginia Tech and will have the opportunity to work with Prof. Arpit Dua, Prof. Charles Cao, and other faculty in the quantum information science program. There will be plenty of opportunities for collaboration with other members of the groups and with leading experimental and theory groups around the world, as well as with industry partners in quantum computing. The positions will also involve opportunities for travel to present at conferences and to collaborate with other groups. Postdoctoral and Senior Research Associates will conduct research in the above areas and disseminate results in journal publications and conference presentations. Senior Research Associates will have additional responsibilities mentoring junior group members and potentially assisting the PIs with grant management.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Quantum Information Science, Theoretical Condensed Matter, AMO Physics, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, or a closely related field.
• For Postdoctoral Associate: Ph.D. awarded no more than four years prior to the effective date of appointment, with a minimum of one year of eligibility remaining.
• For Senior Research Associate: Prior postdoctoral experience.
• Strong background in quantum mechanics.
• Programming skills.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of concepts and techniques from quantum error correction and quantum information science.
• Familiarity with quantum LDPC codes.
• Familiarity with stabilizer and CSS code constructions.
• Familiarity with code surgery protocols.
• Familiarity with fermionic codes.
• Familiarity with machine learning approaches to decoding.
• Familiarity with magic and nonstabilizerness in quantum codes.
• Familiarity with tensor-network methods.
• Familiarity with decoding algorithms.
• Familiarity with fault-tolerance and resource estimation.
• Experience with Python.
• Experience with Mathematica or other scientific computing tools.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research in quantum error correction and fault-tolerant quantum computation.
• Disseminate results in journal publications and conference presentations.
• Mentor junior group members (for Senior Research Associates).
• Potentially assist PIs with grant management (for Senior Research Associates).

Benefits

• Opportunities for travel to present at conferences.
• Opportunities for collaboration with other groups.
• Opportunities for collaboration with industry partners.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree