PhD studentship: Developing and Operating a Trapped Ion Quantum computer Prototype (2020)

What you get

You will receive:

• fully funded tuition fees for 3.5 years (at the UK/EU rate)
• a tax-free bursary for living costs for 3.5 years. For 2019/20 this is £15,009 per annum.
• annual travel allowance

You may also supplement your income with paid teaching (with your supervisor’s agreement).

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 Quantum Technology Hub on Networked Quantum Technologies, 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 Quantum Technology Hub on Networked Quantum Technologies and the UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology. The group currently spans 7 staff scientists, 2 electronics engineers, 14 PhD students and 6 undergraduate students.

Eligibility

To be eligible, you must:

• be a UK/European Union (EU) student, or have resided in the EU for 3 years prior to the start date
• 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. 

Deadline

How to apply

To apply please email a CV and your degree results to Professor Winfried Hensinger: w.k.hensinger@sussex.ac.uk. 

Note in order to qualify for this position you must have resided in the EU for three years prior to the start of the position. If you are from outside the EU, 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.

Contact us

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 the head of group,

Prof Winfried Hensinger

(Professor of Quantum Technologies)

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