The Department of Applied Physics is now looking for two

Postdoctoral researchers

We invite applications for two post-doctoral researchers in the field of quantum

computing, focused on the development of quantum algorithms to investigate and
design strongly correlated quantum many-body systems and quantum materials. The
prospective postdocs will work on developing quantum circuit algorithms to predict
quantum phase transitions in interacting quantum many-body systems. We aim to use a
methodology that relies on measurements of fluctuations to predict quantum phase
transitions in a manner that is resilient to the decoherence in quantum computers.

The prediction of quantum phase transitions is an open problem in quantum many-body

physics with strong connections to the understanding of quantum materials,
including high-temperature superconductivity and fractional quantum matter. The
solution of quantum many-body problems, especially in two and three dimensions,
represents one of most promising and immediate applications of near-term quantum
computers. The capability to tackle these important problems provides a stepping-
stone towards the understanding and design of completely new forms of quantum
matter, potentially opening a whole new direction of research in quantum physics
and quantum materials. From a practical standpoint, decoherence in quantum circuits
requires algorithms that are robust to noise. The project will exploit a novel Lee-
Yang theory of quantum phase transitions, which harnesses the analytic properties
of generating function in the complex plan. The methodology relies on the
measurement of fluctuations in a quantum many-body system and should be robust to
the presence of moderate decoherence.

Your role

The two postdocs can work on a wide range of topics related to these overarching
goals.  Depending on their background, they may work on developing the methodology
using tensor-network simulators of quantum circuits, they may design quantum
algorithms to describe strongly correlated quantum many-body systems, and/or they
may implement these methods on the available quantum computing resources. The host
groups have developed an in-house tensor-network quantum circuit simulator, which
provides a powerful starting point for simulating near-term noisy quantum computing
using classical resources only.  As such, the tensor-network simulator may serve as
a testing ground for the quantum algorithms before they are implemented on actual
quantum computers at later stages.

The project will be carried out in collaboration between the theory groups of
“Correlated Quantum Materials” (Prof. Jose Lado) and “Quantum Transport” (Prof.
Christian Flindt) at Aalto University and the project is financed by a generous
donation from the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation. We are looking for highly
motivated individuals with a strong background in theoretical physics,
computational physics, and/or quantum computing. The postdocs will mainly be
involved with research, with the opportunity to contribute to the supervision of
BSc/MSc students.

Your experience and ambitions

As a postdoc working in an international research environment, you are expected to

have a very good command of English, and ideally you are familiar with advanced
theoretical concepts and methods from quantum computing, quantum many-body physics,
and/or quantum materials. Finnish language is not required.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive, and

independence, and how the applicant’s experience and skills complement and
strengthen ongoing research within the department, and how they stand to contribute
to its future development.

The expected starting date (with some flexibility) is September 1st, 2023, and PhD
students that would defend their Ph.D. thesis by September 2023 are eligible to
apply.

What we offer

The duration of the positions are two years. The annual workload of research and
teaching staff at Aalto University is currently 1612 hours. Aalto University
follows the salary system of Finnish universities. The starting salary for a
Postdoctoral researcher is approx. 3800€/month. The salary ranges from 3800€ to
4100€ per month, depending on previous experience. The contract includes
occupational healthcare.

The primary workplace will be the Otaniemi Campus at Aalto University.

Ready to apply?

To apply for the position, please submit your application including the attachments
mentioned below as one single PDF document in English through our online
recruitment system by using the link on Aalto University’s web page ("Apply Now”).

Cover letter
CV, including a list of publications
Degree certificates and academic transcripts
Contact information of two references