Host Institute: University of Padova

Project Supervisor: Prof Paolo Villoresi

Tentative placements/visits arranged at: UPMC, IQC, and ID Quantique

Starting date: 1 Oct 2017

Duration: 3 years

Annual Salary: Equivalent to €39,820.44 + €7,200 (for mobility allowance) + €6,000 (for family allowance, if eligible)

Project Description

This project concerns the study of QC over links in space using satellites and ground telescopes. The relevance of satellite optical communications has been demonstrated in a number of successful tests, encouraging the extension of space optical links, but at the same time posing a serious concern on the privacy of such communications and its resilience to attacks. QKD over satellite links is on the verge of passing from the pioneering research to implementations for a full-fledged demonstration. The project will investigate protocols that optimize the space-channel specific characteristics required for post-processing, for both discrete and continuous-variable QKD. Moreover, the project will extend the modelling of the link with respect to the ground and space terminal specifications and the interface with secure terrestrial networks.

Requirements

Candidate profile

Candidates should hold (or expect) an MSc degree in Physics, Electronic Engineering or other relevant discipline. They will have demonstrated academic success at the highest level, creativity, enthusiasm and shown an aptitude for experimental Physics or Engineering.

Experience of experimental quantum optics, communication systems, cryptography.

The candidate should have excellent command of both spoken and written English.

The candidate should be willing to travel to and collaborate with all, beneficiary or partner organisation, members of the network.

Eligibility rules

For full explanation of eligibility rules please see here. In short, eligibility rules require candidates to have been resident outside the host country (Italy) for at least two of the past three years prior to the start of their contract. They should also be in the first 4 years (full-time equivalent) of their research careers. This is measured from the date that you obtained the degree that would entitle you to embark on a PhD. The candidates cannot have a PhD degree at the time of recruitment, but it is possible to be a PhD student and still satisfy the above condition.