Research Associate (Ouyang)
Department/School: School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Contract type: Fixed-term for 27 months
Overview
This post is funded by the ‘Integrating quantum sensors with bespoke quantum error
correction’ project supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
(EPSRC). The task of Ouyang’s group at the University of Sheffield considers the integration
of quantum error correction (QEC) with quantum metrology, in particular, the channel
estimation problem. This project will study specialized quantum error correction codes that
maximise the quantum advantage attainable in the quantum estimation of classical fields,
while also considering reasonable physical constraints that are imposed by the physical
system.
You should have a strong background in theoretical physics, mathematical optimization
theory, or quantum error correction, and have completed or be in the final stages of a PhD in
this or a related discipline.
Main duties and responsibilities:
- Design and analyse quantum error correction protocols for quantum sensing protocols.
- Model physical imperfections using quantum channels.
- Apply specialized quantum error correction codes for quantum sensing.
- Attend regular meetings of the research group, and prepare reports on your work,
including analysis of previous results and outlook for the future studies. - Interact and closely collaborate with colleagues in the group, contributing to the team
effort to meet objectives and use laboratory time efficiently. - Provide supervision to junior researchers including master students and PhD students.
- Write manuscripts based on your work and the team’s work for research journals.
- Present work at external scientific meetings, planning well ahead of the deadline.
- Organise time to ensure very good knowledge of the background of the area of
research, maintaining up-to-date knowledge of relevant literature. - Be capable of planning your own research activities in discussion with your supervisor,
incorporating issues such as the availability of resources, deadlines, project
milestones and overall research aims. - As a member of staff you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role,
embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever
possible. - Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post
Person Specification
Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds,
and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected.
Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution
is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application
criteria in the application statement when you apply.
Essential criteria:
- PhD in quantum physics with a focus on quantum metrology, mathematical
optimization or quantum error correction (assessed at: application/interview) - Expertise in vector spaces, linear algebra, and quantum information theory (assessed
at application/interview) - Experience in writing manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals (assessed at:
application/interview) - Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, report writing skills, experience
of delivering presentations. (assessed at: application/interview) - Ability to develop creative approaches to problem solving with an appreciation of
longer-term implications. (assessed at: application/interview) - Ability to work in a team and to collaborate effectively with other researchers
(assessed at: application/interview) - Ability to assess and organise resources, and plan and progress work activities.
(assessed at: application/interview)
Desirable criteria - Understanding of convex optimization theory (assessed at: application/interview)
- Familiarity with mathematical optimization formulations of quantum state estimations in
the local and global setting (assessed at: application/interview) - Understanding of several important families of quantum error correction codes and
weight enumerators of classical codes.
Further Information
Grade: 7
Salary: £38,249 - £46,735 per annum
Work arrangement: Full-time
Duration: 01.06.2025 for 27 months
Apply for this job at
https://jobsite.sheffield.ac.uk/job/Research-Associate-Quantum-error-cor...
Closing date is May 23, 2025, 23:59 UK time.
Next steps in the recruitment process
It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on the week commencing June 2
2025. This will consist of an interview and presentation. We plan to let candidates know if
they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing May 26 2025.
