PostDoc (f/m/d) – Noisy Quantum Computing for Matter under Extreme Conditions

As a member of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers, the HZDR employs about 1,400 people. The Center's focus is on interdisciplinary research in the areas of energy, health, and matter.

The Center for Advanced Systems Understanding (CASUS) is a German-Polish research center for data-intensive digital systems research. CASUS was founded in 2019 in Görlitz and conducts digital interdisciplinary systems research in various fields such as earth systems research, systems biology, and materials research.

The Matter Under Extreme Conditions department invites applications for a postdoctoral position (f/m/d) – Noisy Quantum Computing for Matter under Extreme Conditions. The employment contract is limited to two years.

The Scope of Your Job

Your primary objective is to utilize the concept of near-term, noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) computing for phenomena in correlated many-fermion systems that persist in extreme states of matter, for example, in warm dense matter. Your research activities will include (1) developing NISQ algorithms in hybrid quantum-classical frameworks; (2) utilizing variational quantum eigensolvers (VQE) for correlated many-fermion systems that are complementary to classical computing algorithms (such as quantum Monte Carlo methods); (3) exploring how the noise in NISQ computing can be utilized in warm dense matter simulations. You will work closely with scientists (f/m/d) who develop classical computing algorithms for solving the quantum many-body problem and, thereby, push the frontier of simulation capabilities for matter under extreme conditions.

Tasks

• Develop workflows utilizing NISQ algorithms, for example, hybrid quantum-classical algorithms
• Test the impact of NISQ algorithms for correlated many-fermion systems
• Explore how noise in NISQ computing can be utilized in correlated many-fermion systems
• Communicate your scientific results at academic venues
• Publish your scientific results in academic, peer-reviewed journals

Requirements

• PhD degree in Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related subject
• Expertise in quantum computing and algorithms
• Familiarity with basic concepts of optimization techniques
• Experience with modern software languages such as Python, C/C++ or Julia
• Advantageous are experience with basic concepts of electronic structure theory, quantum Monte Carlo and density functional methods, virtual quantum computer backends, quantum computing SDKs such qiskit, pyquil, distributed version control (SVN/Git)
• Strong motivation to work in a collaborative environment
• Excellent communication skills in a professional context (presentation of research results at scientific meetings, colloquial discussions, writing of manuscripts)

We offer

• A vibrant research community in an open, diverse and international work environment
• Scientific excellence and extensive professional networking opportunities
• The employment contract is limited to two years with the possibility of longer-term prospects
• Salary and social benefits in conformity with the provisions of the Collective Agreement TVöD-Bund
• 30 days of paid holiday leave
• Company pension scheme (VBL)
• A good work/life balance for which we offer assistance in the form of:
  • Possibility to work part-time
  • Flexible working hours
  • In-house health management

Kindly submit your application (including cover letter, CV, diplomas/transcripts, etc.) via our online application system.