Research Associate in Compilation and Verification of Quantum Software
Posted: 14th June 2023
Department of Computer Science, Parks Road, Oxford.
Postdoctoral Research Associate on the Quantum Information Structure of Spacetime
Full Time and Fixed Term contract until 31 March 2025
Grade 7: Salary £35,308 - £40,745 p.a. with the potential to under-fill at Grade 6 with salaries in the range of £31,502 - £37,386 p.a.
The Department of Computer Science, University of Oxford, is currently looking for one outstanding candidate to fill the role of Postdoctoral research assistant in compilation and verification of quantum software as part of the EPSRC project Compilation and Verification of Quantum Software in the the Noisy and Approximate Regime.
This is a joint project between the University of Oxford, the University of Bristol, and University College London (UCL), led by Aleks Kissinger and Thomas Melham at Oxford, Dan Browne at UCL, and Noah Linden at the University of Bristol. The Oxford-based postdoc will be working in collaboration with this team as well as a second postdoc on this project based in UCL.
Look out for a similar job advertisement for the other postdoc position at UCL. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply for both positions.
Like classical computers, quantum computers need compilers, which are tools that translate code written by a human into something the machine can run. Unlike classical computers, today's quantum computers have extremely limited computational resources and are highly susceptible from noise from the environment. Furthermore, it is often impractical or impossible to implement a computation exactly, meaning quantum compilers need to make certain approximations, which can yield further errors.
This project aims to produce better quantum compilers, and ultimately extend the capabilities of existing and near-future quantum hardware, by taking into account sophisticated hardware error models of specific platforms as well as hardware constraints such as qubit connectivity and native gatesets. In addition to accounting for hardware sources of error, these techniques will account for deliberate sources of error, i.e. approximations, introduced by the compilation process itself, and we will explore ways to trade off hardware vs software errors. By adopting a methodology based on rigorous, composable transformations of quantum computations, such compilers can produce scaleable, trustworthy software to drive quantum computers.
Specific research topics include, but are not limited to:
- Exploring techniques for error-aware quantum compilation, taking into account error models of specific quantum devices
- Developing a theory for handling coherent and incoherent errors via circuit rewriting formalisms such as the ZX-calculus
- Studying error bounds and how they can be computed and composed by automated tools
- Developing and experimentally evaluating quantum circuit compilation tools
- Developing verification techniques for quantum compilers, based e.g. on heuristic (approximate) equality checking or compilation methods that can produce certificates of correctness
The primary selection criteria are a PhD or DPhil in computer science or a related field such as physics or mathematics, a strong interest in pursuing fundamental and applied research in quantum software, and a strong publication record in quantum information theory, quantum computing, or an adjacent field.
You will be expected to manage your own research activities, contribute to wider project planning and new project ideas, contribute scientific reports and articles, attend conferences and participate in broader quantum technologies research activities at Oxford, Bristol, and UCL, and (possibly) contribute to co-supervision of research students.
We would particularly welcome applications from women and black and minority ethnic applicants who are currently under-represented within the Computer Science Department.
The closing date for applications is 12 noon on 10th July 2023. Interviews are expected to be held in July.
We are a Stonewall Top 100 Employer, Living Wage, holding an Athena Swan Bronze Award, HR excellence in Research and Race Equality Charter Bronze Award.
Our staff and students come from all over the world and we proudly promote a friendly and inclusive culture. Diversity is positively encouraged, through diversity groups and champions, for example http://www.cs.ox.ac.uk/aboutus/women-cs-oxford/index.html , as well as a number of family-friendly policies, such as the right to apply for flexible working and support for staff returning from periods of extended absence, for example shared parental leave.
Demonstrating a commitment to provide equality of opportunity. We would particularly welcome applications from women and black and minority ethnic applicants who are currently under-represented within the Computer Science Department. All applicants will be judged on merit, according to the selection criteria.
For further details and to apply please visit: