PhD in the Ion Quantum Technology Group

PhD studentship on the Developing and Operating a Trapped Ion Quantum computer Prototype (2022)

What you get

• Fully-paid tuition fees for three and a half years.
• A tax-free bursary for living costs for three and a half years. From October 2021/22 this is expected to be £15609 per year
• A support grant for three and a half years of £1,650 per year for travel and conferences.
• Only UK Higher Education “Home Fee” status applicants and EU residents satisfying the three-year residency requirement are eligible.

Type of award

Postgraduate Research

PhD project

We recently invented a method where quantum gates with trapped ions are executed by the application of voltages to a microchip in the presence of a few global radiation fields analogous to the operation of transistors in a classical computer. As part of the UK Hub on Quantum Computing and Simulation, our group is developing a trapped-ion quantum computer prototype based on this new approach. You will work on further developing and operating this quantum computer prototype. This will include working on quantum gates, ion transport and sympathetic cooling. You will work on implementing a full quantum information tool box ranging from optimal implementation of gate sequences, validation and verification as well as demonstrating key specifications of the device. Your project will culminate with the implementation of quantum error correction as well as some quantum algorithms.

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 Hub on Quantum Computing and Simulation. The group currently spans 6 Postdoctoral Fellows, 14 PhD students, the Senior Scientist and the Head of Group.

Eligibility

Applicants must hold, or expect to hold, at least a UK upper second class degree (or non-UK equivalent qualification) in Physics, or a closely-related area, or else a lower second class degree followed by a relevant Master's degree.

Only UK Higher Education “Home Fee” status applicants and EU residents satisfying the three-year residency requirement are eligible.

Deadline

11 September 2022 23:45

How to apply

Apply through the University of Sussex on-line system. 

https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/phd/apply/log-into-account

Select the PhD in Physics, with an entry date of September 2022.

In the Finance & Fees section, state that you wish to be considered for studentship no IQT/2021/03

We advise early application as the position will be filled as soon as a suitable applicant can be found.

Due to the high volume of applications received, you may only hear from us if your application is successful.

Contact us

If you have practical questions about the progress of your on-line application or your eligibility, contact Emma Ransley at mps-pgrsupport@sussex.ac.uk

For academic questions about the project, contact Prof Winfried Hensinger (Professor of Quantum Technologies), (w.k.hensinger@sussex.ac.uk).

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Some recent media coverage about the group’s work can be found here: The Telegraph, Nature, Financial Times, CGTN documentary, BBC, Sky News Tonight With Dermot Murnaghan, VICE, and Daily Mail.