IBM postdoctoral trainees

The Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE) is a leading intellectual hub and community of researchers in the Chicagoland region with the common goal of advancing academic and industrial efforts in the science and engineering of quantum information.

Position description:

In collaboration with IBM, the CQE seeks postdoctoral candidates with research interests in the experimental or theoretical implications of scaling superconducting qubit quantum information processing beyond the confines of a single chip in a single dilution refrigerator.

Successful applicants will help to further technology development and fundamental physical understanding of bidirectional microwave/optical transduction for quantum state transfer. Topics of potential experimental interest include, though are not limited to: understanding the fundamental physics of radio frequency and optical loss sources in electro-optic materials due to intrinsic band structure, surface properties and extrinsic defects; developing next-generation microwave/optical transducers based on opto-mechanical systems; developing prototype electro-optic microwave/optical transducers based on three-wave mixing in novel material systems such as SiC. 

This experimental progress is to be coupled with theoretical applicants working to understand how to extend quantum information processing algorithms, circuit compilation and error correction to systems comprised of this heterogenous connectivity. Topics of potential experimental interest include, though are not limited to: research into efficient compilation methods for distributed quantum computers, including circuit partitioning, mapping, and error mitigation during computation; and developing methods for error correction on a distributed quantum computer with noisy links, and adapting existing methods such as the surface code beyond the confines of a chip.

The CQE’s IBM postdoctoral trainees may be located at the following CQE member institutions: University of Chicago, Argonne National Laboratory, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, or Northwestern University.

The CQE’s IBM postdoctoral trainees will have access to all member institutions, including a wide breadth of tools and capabilities that make investigation of cutting-edge quantum science and technology possible. The postdocs will work at member institutions that support their individual areas of research and will receive dual mentorship at both the institution where they are placed and another member institution or IBM.

Each trainee will be provided with salary and benefits, in addition to $5,000 in discretionary research funding annually. These positions are made possible through a partnership between the CQE and the IBM Q Network. 

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. (completed or anticipated) in computer science, mathematics, physics or a related field from an accredited college or university
• Demonstrated research ability, as evidenced by publication, report, presentations or awards
• Excellent communication skills, as evidenced by publications and a compelling cover letter
• Evidence of strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively

To apply: 
Interested candidates should apply via the web page link below and upload a CV with publications, a cover letter including a statement of interests, and a list of CQE researchers who they would like to work with as a postdoc. Each applicant must arrange for three letters of recommendation to be submitted in order to be considered for the program. 

Apply online and learn more about the CQE and our programming: https://quantum.uchicago.edu/training-and-education/ibm-postdoctoral-trainees/

The CQE is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community through research, teaching, and service

About Chicago Quantum Exchange

The Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE) is an intellectual hub and community of researchers with the common goal of advancing academic and industrial efforts in the science and engineering of quantum information across CQE members, partners, and our region. The hub aims to promote the exploration of quantum information technologies and the development of new applications. The CQE facilitates interactions between research groups of its member and partner institutions and provides an avenue for developing and fostering collaborations, joint projects, and information exchange. Based at the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, CQE comprises member institutions University of Chicago, Argonne National Laboratory, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Northwestern University.

About IBM Q 

IBM Q is an industry-first initiative to build commercial universal quantum systems for business and science applications. For more information about IBM's quantum computing efforts, please visit www.ibm.com/ibmq.