The ARC Training Centre for Future Leaders in Quantum Computing (FLiQC), in partnership with Sydney Quantum Academy (SQA) and participating universities, is pleased to announce a number of industry ready PhD Scholarships available to suitably qualified and successful applicants.
These scholarships are open to domestic and international students who will enrol full time in a PhD program at one of the participating universities: The University of Sydney, UNSW Sydney, University of Technology Sydney, or Macquarie University.
Quantum algorithms for exact exponential-time combinatorial optimisation at The University of Technology Sydney
This project investigates exact quantum algorithms for NP-hard combinatorial optimisation problems, with the goal of improving the worst-case exponential running time. A representative target is Maximum Independent Set: given a graph G n vertices, find the largest set of vertices with no edges between them.
The best published classical algorithm for Maximum Independent Set runs in time 1.1996^n (up to polynomial factors), while the best published quantum algorithm achieves expected running time proportional to 1.1488^n, which is an improvement in the base of the exponential base but still far from the kind of square-root quantum speedups seen in unstructured search.
A major open direction is whether one can obtain a super-quadratic quantum speedup for exact, worst-case Maximum Independent Set, or for closely related problems such as Minimum Vertex Cover. The project will explore new quantum algorithmic ideas and analyses–e.g., quantum-accelerated branching/backtracking and or quantum divide and conquer–to push the best known worst-case bounds.
Project Supervisor: Associate Professor Troy Lee, Centre for Quantum Software and Information, University of Technology Sydney
This project would suit: Students with a strong background in mathematics and/or theoretical computer science, prior quantum computing knowledge is welcome but not required.
The research will be conducted in collaboration with the Australia Defence Science and Technology Group. Due to project requirements, the position is open only to citizens of AUKUS countries (Australia, United Kingdom, United States)
Details of the Scholarship
The scholarship is for up to 4 years of full time study and includes:
• Student stipend: A$42,754 per annum (2026 rate, indexed annually)
• Substantive engagement with our industry partners as a core component of the PhD
• Access to an industry-ready skills training program provided by the ARC Training Centre
• Entry to the SQA PhD Experience Program events and workshops.
Eligibility Requirements
Scholarships are open to domestic and international applicants.
• Domestic students include Australian citizens, permanent residents, New Zealand citizens, or persons entitled to remain in Australia without limitation.
• International students must hold, or be able to obtain, a valid visa for the duration of the scholarship.
Applicants must:
• Hold or be eligible for admission to a full time PhD program at an FLiQC partner university
• Have a PhD offer of admission before an FLiQC scholarship can be awarded
• Have the support of the proposed project supervisor prior to applying
• Not hold another primary PhD stipend scholarship (e.g. RTP or equivalent)
To find our more and apply visit: https://sydneyquantum.org/program/future-leaders-in-quantum-computing-sc...
About University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
UTS is home to strategic research initiatives such as the UTS Centre for Quantum Software and Information (QSI).
QSI is Australia’s leading research centre focussed on the software and information processing infrastructure for quantum technologies. Researchers and PhD students work with industrial and academic partners across the entire quantum software stack: from developing new methods to design and program quantum algorithms and applications; to perfecting the quantum control and error correction routines used by experimental teams such as those using UTS’ new Millikelvin Quantum Science Laboratory. UTS also conducts quantum technology research through its nodes of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Transformative Meta-Optical Systems (TMOS), including the UTS research group ‘Quantum Materials and Devices’.
