Applications are invited for the position of a Sussex Quantum Computing Industry Fellow in the Ion Quantum Technology Group in the Sussex Centre for Quantum Technologies at the University of Sussex. The position is part of the UK National Quantum Technologies programme and is concerned with the development of utility scale quantum computers capable of solving disruptive societal and industry challenges.

The position is advertised in association with the Universal Quantum Group of companies based close to Brighton (UK), Hamburg (Germany) and Silicon Valley (California).

This position is open to the most promising applicants with outstanding academic track record. In addition to a normal PDRA position, it includes tailored access to a quantum computing company, its staff and facilities. The postholder takes an active role in collaborative interactions between the company and the university. The position includes exposure to world-leading engineering capabilities of the company and a company mentor that assures that the Fellow receives support from the industry side. The fellow may contribute to collaborative projects between the university and the company. The project in the research group is tailored to be industry relevant and the fellowship is meant to enable the applicant to pursue a highly successful career in industry or academia. The fellow is expected to work on problems that are deemed of highly disruptive impact for industry and the work builds on existing collaborative projects with industry.

Following a successful appointment as Sussex Quantum Computing Industry Fellow, the candidate will receive support from the University of Sussex and the Universal Quantum Group of companies to pursue a career in academia, in industry or a joint position with academia and industry.

Trapped ions are one of the most mature implementations to deliver practical quantum technologies. We have developed a unique approach for trapped-ion quantum computing that enables scaling to a large number of qubits. The approach couples scalable global microwave based quantum gate technology with fully integrated quantum computing microchip modules that can be linked together using fast electric field links.

This position is part of a larger effort to develop and operate quantum computing solutions which scale to significantly larger system sizes. We currently operate 5 quantum computer prototypes in our lab and the position will focus on one or multiple of these experimental setups directed towards the implementation of quantum error correction, ion transport and quantum gate execution, raising gate fidelities, operation of multi-module quantum computing prototypes and the development of quantum computing microchips.

Some of the typical tasks for this position include operation of ion trap experiments, high power microwave setups, laser systems, optical setups and ultra-high vacuum setups as well as carry out quantum information science experiments, quantum error correction, perform simulations of quantum systems, quantum control and other relevant theory and supervise undergraduate and postgraduate students.

The successful applicant should have an experimental PhD in a field related to our research area such as atomic physics, optical physics or quantum physics along with a good publication record. The salary offered will be appropriate to the qualifications, standing and experience of the successful candidate.

You can find out more about the group at:

http://www.sussex.ac.uk/physics/iqt/

Please include with your completed application form a CV, cover letter, the contact details of three referees and a list of relevant publications.

Please contact Prof Winfried Hensinger (w.k.hensinger@sussex.ac.uk) for informal enquiries.

The University is committed to equality and valuing diversity, and applications are particularly welcomed from women and black and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in academic posts in Science, Technology, Engineering, Medicine and Mathematics (STEMM) at Sussex.

“Please note that this position may be subject to ATAS clearance if you require visa sponsorship.”

The University of Sussex values the diversity of its staff and students and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

You can find out more about our values and our EDI Strategy, Inclusive Sussex, on our webpages.