Research fellow in trapped ion quantum computing

School/department:  School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Hours: Full time
Contract: Fixed term initially 12 months, with possibility of extension to 3 years
Reference: 3866
Salary: Starting at £33,797 and rising to £40,322 per annum
Closing date:  8th July 2020.   Applications must be received by midnight of the closing date.
Expected start date: As soon as possible.

Applications are invited for a Research Fellow in High Fidelity Trapped Ion Quantum Computing in the Ion Quantum Technology Group in the Sussex Centre for Quantum Technologies at the University of Sussex. The position is part of the European Quantum Technologies Flagship programme and the UK National Quantum Technologies programme.

Trapped ions are one of the most mature implementations to deliver practical quantum technologies. Recently we have developed a fundamentally different approach for trapped-ion quantum computing that uses voltages and microwave fields to implement quantum gate operations, instead of lasers. This new approach is based on individually-controlled voltages applied to each logic gate location, analogous to a traditional transistor architecture within a classical computer processor.

We have already implemented the core ingredient for this new method. We demonstrated a two-qubit quantum gate producing a maximally entangled state with a fidelity close to the fault-tolerant threshold. More details are available here.

This project focuses on further increasing the fidelity and speed of the quantum logic operations. Making use of our state-of-the-art microfabricated ion trap architectures, the project includes the application of quantum gate operations to a larger number of ions to perform quantum algorithms via the implementation of sophisticated ion shuttling operations. This position is part of a larger effort to develop and operate quantum computing solutions which scale to significantly larger system sizes.

Some of the typical tasks for this position include operation of high-power microwave setups, laser systems, optical setups and ultra-high vacuum setups as well as carry out quantum information science experiments, perform simulations of quantum systems and supervise undergraduate and postgraduate students.

The successful applicant should have an experimental PhD in a field related to our research area such as atomic physics, optical physics or quantum physics along with a good publication record. The salary offered will be appropriate to the qualifications, standing and experience of the successful candidate.

You can find out more about the group at:
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/physics/iqt/

Some recent media coverage about the group’s work can be found here: BBC’s The Inquiry, CTGN Europe, Physics World, The Telegraph, Nature, BBC News, Sky News Tonight With Dermot Murnaghan, VICE, and Daily Mail

For more information, please email Prof Winfried Hensinger (w.k.hensinger@sussex.ac.uk).

Please include with your completed application form a CV, cover letter, the contact details of three referees and a list of relevant publications.

For full details and how to apply see our vacancies page, https://www.sussex.ac.uk/about/jobs

The University of Sussex values the diversity of its staff and students and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.