A 3.5 year PhD position is available in in the Ion Quantum Technology Group in the Sussex Centre for Quantum Technologies in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Sussex. The position is part of the UK National Quantum Technologies programme. The position consists of current UK/EU fees and a yearly stipend of £ £14533 which can be supplemented by tutoring. The position also includes an annual travel allowance. You should have a physics or related degree.

Large-scale quantum computers may require in excess of millions of individual quantum bits. This would require aligning millions of laser beams with micron accuracy. At Sussex we have developed an alternative approach where quantum gates are executed by the application of voltages on an ion trap quantum computing microchip replacing laser beams required for quantum gate implementation. We have already developed the capability to carry out two-qubit quantum gates with fidelities close to the fault-tolerant threshold and single qubit gates well below the fault-tolerant threshold. In parallel we are developing shuttling capabilities in order to reliably transport ions on an ion microchip. Combing shuttling with the realisation of quantum gates allows for the realisation of quantum algorithms with a few trapped ions. This project will consolidate these individual capabilities to develop an ion quantum trap co-processor with a small number of ions. We will develop a reprogrammable and reconfigurable device maximizing its versatility for a broad range of applications.

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, 14 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:

Profile interview with Prof Winfried Hensinger

BBC NEWS

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)

For more information, please email the head of group,

Prof Winfried Hensinger

(Professor of Quantum Technologies)

(w.k.hensinger@sussex.ac.uk).

To apply please email a CV, and your degree results as soon as possible or the latest by 15/8/17 to the email address above. Note in order to qualify for this position you must have resided in the UK for three years prior to the start of the position. If you are from outside the UK, you may apply for a non-funded position in the group, however, you will need to have a funding source for tuition fees and living expenses.