The 3.5 year Dan Hunt PhD studentship is available in the Ion Quantum Technology Group in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Sussex.

The project aims to explore commercial applications of quantum computing and quantum simulation. The project will be carried out in close collaboration with the finance sector and scientists from other disciplines such as biology and material science. You will work on understanding the opportunities provided by quantum simulation and quantum computing by identifying problems from other fields and map them to known quantum algorithms and quantum simulations and you will determine appropriate hardware requirements for a trapped-ion quantum computer. While the project is of theoretical nature, you will be embedded in an experimental group in order to understand hardware opportunities and constraints. You will also work towards implementing first algorithms and quantum simulations on a microwave trapped-ion quantum computer demonstrator device currently being constructed at the University of Sussex. You will interact closely with experimentalists in the group, as well as the group of Dr Diego Porras, one of the world-leading theorists in the field of quantum simulation with trapped ions.

The Ion Quantum Technology Group is one of the world's leading centres for the implementation of trapped-ion quantum computing and simulation. The group is part of the UK Quantum Technology Hub on Networked Quantum Technologies and the UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology. The group currently spans 4 Postdoctoral Fellows, 10 PhD students and 6 undergraduate students.

The city of Brighton & Hove has everything - sun, sea, brilliant clubs, great places to eat, fabulous shops, a truly cosmopolitan vibe and is located only 50min from central London. Located on the beach, Brighton boasts beautiful seaside views and beaches, boating, sports and beach activities. The South Downs provide breathtaking views, tranquil walks and plenty of opportunities for mountain biking, hiking or picnics.

You can find out more about the group at:

http://www.sussex.ac.uk/physics/iqt/

A short film about Professor Hensinger's work can be found here. A popular science lecture given by Prof. Hensinger explaining the principles of quantum computing at the US Department of Energy can be found here.

Some recent media coverage about the group's work can be found here:

BBC NEWS

The Telegraph

Profile interview with Prof Winfried Hensinger

BBC NEWS (2)

BBC Radio 4 Today

International Business Times

BBC WORLD SERVICE World Update

New Scientist

Detailled reading about our research can be found here, including:

• Trapped-ion quantum logic with global radiation fields, S. Weidt, J. Randall, S. C. Webster, K. Lake, A. E. Webb, I. Cohen, T. Navickas, B. Lekitsch, A. Retzker, and W. K. Hensinger, Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 220501 (2016)
• Blueprint for a microwave trapped-ion quantum computer, B. Lekitsch, S. Weidt, A.G. Fowler, K. Mølmer, S.J. Devitt, Ch. Wunderlich, and W.K. Hensinger, arXiv:1508.00420 [quant-ph] (2015)