Research Associate in Distributed Quantum Computing

Imperial College and UCL have a research grant of £3 million for 4 years from the UK EPSRC to develop distributed quantum computing (DQC). While based at Imperial College, this post-holder will join the multi-disciplinary team to develop viable architectures and techniques to efficiently connect quantum processing units (QPUs) for scalable quantum computing. Our work spans from developing the DQC architecture and demonstrating prototype optical interconnector units with quantum memory, to developing algorithms suited for the system-level architecture to show the potential advantages of DQC.

The main research focus for this post-holder is to investigate the hybrid architecture with mixed use of QPUs and conventional computer nodes (CCNs) for generic machine learning and optimization algorithms, to reveal tradeoffs among various architectural design choices. We aim to develop approaches and algorithms to partition a given computational intensive application into tasks that are allocated to distributed QPUs and CCNs for processing to achieve the highest efficiency, while considering the merits and constraints of QPUs and CCNs.

This initial term of this post is 12 months, possible renewal up to 2 years subject to funding. This position is an excellent opportunity for a researcher with strong background in quantum computing, quantum networks and/or conventional communication networks and distributed computing. Strong analytic skills including stochastic models, optimization and algorithm design will be helpful.

Research Duties include:

• To plan and carry out research in accordance with the project aims and timeframes.


• To propose and investigate new techniques, algorithms and architectures for quantum networks and hybrid quantum computing.


• To verify and characterize system performance of the distributed quantum computing for optimization and machine learning tasks such as finance and/or aeronautic applications.


• To collaborate and cooperate with other research staff and industrial partners of the same project and other quantum projects funded by the UK EPSRC.


• To act as the representative for Imperial College in meetings, conference calls and conferences.


• To present research at conferences, workshops, open days and meetings, and publish research results in journals.


• To liaise with other members of the team and cooperate with them for the benefit of the project objectives.


• To develop a sound understanding of ethical and health and safety regulations, and the responsibilities of themselves and their colleagues.


• To comply with relevant College policies, including Financial Regulations, Equal Opportunities Policy, Promoting Race Equality Policy, Health and Safety Policy, Information Systems Security Policy and Intellectual Property Rights and Register of Interests Policies.


• To undertake any necessary training and/or development.


• Any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post as directed by line manager / supervisor.
  
  Hold a PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a closely related discipline, or equivalent research, industrial or commercial experience


• Near completion of a PhD (or equivalent) Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a closely related discipline


• Conventional communication networks and/or distributed computing


• Quantum computing and/or communications


• Machine learning and optimization techniques


• Willingness to work as part of a team and to be open-minded and cooperative
  
  Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant within the salary range £40,694 - £43,888 per annum.