• Salary Package: Level A Step 6 (PhD) From $91,991 to $98,588 p.a., plus 17% employer’s Superannuation
• Appointment Type: Full-time, fixed term up to 33 months
• Macquarie University (North Ryde) location

The Role

Quantum systems are highly susceptible to noise and thus any quantum machine that requires large scale quantum entanglement to operate has to do so in a fashion which will be robust against such noise. There are numerous ways one can design such robustness, including various types of quantum error correction, dynamical decoupling, and decoherence free subspaces. Quantum Control approaches the problem from a hardware-near and time-dependent perspective using a variety of analytical and numerical methods.

The role will focus on discovering ways to use control noisy intermediate scale quantum systems under realistic noise scenarios. The role will be under the supervision of Dr Burgarth as part of his Future Fellowship "Robust Quantum Control in the Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum Era". It will be part of the Macquarie Centre for Quantum Engineering (MCQE) which hosts many other researchers in related areas, including Dominic Berry, Alexei Gilchrist, Daniel Terno, Thomas Volz, Jason Twamley and Gavin Brennen. Potential topics within the overall scope of Quantum Control and Open Systems include (but are not limited to): 

[Open Systems]: context dependent errors and noise in driven systems, dynamical decoupling and non-Markovianity, noise feedback.

[Control]: parameter-robust controls, optimisation techniques, control of high-dimensional and continuous variable systems, strong coupling and Zeno limits.

The MQ Department of Physics and Astronomy has three main research areas: Photonics including Biophotonics, Astronomy and Astrophysics, and Quantum Physics. In the Australian Government's Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) initiative, Quantum Physics research at Macquarie received very high rankings in all rounds to date. Macquarie University also hosts a node of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems (EQuS). MQ is also part of newly established Sydney Quantum Academy, and innovative collaboration between four NSW universities to support the development of a quantum ecosystem (https://sydneyquantum.org). In terms of staff numbers, research outputs and postgraduate student numbers the Department has undergone rapid expansion over the last 10 years. It provides a nurturing and stimulating environment for early career researchers, with excellent facilities, regular seminars and colloquia, and internationally recognised researchers and supervisors.

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To Apply

To be considered for this position, please apply online by submitting your CV, the names and contact details of at least two references, and a separate cover letter that demonstrates how you meet the following selection criteria.

Essential:

• Postgraduate qualifications (PhD level or equivalent) in a relevant discipline.
• Strong background in quantum information science, open systems, control engineering or related areas.
• Demonstrated ability to research both collaboratively and independently.
• High-level English proficiency.
• High-level communication and interpersonal skills.

Role Enquires: Dr. Daniel Burgarth at daniel.burgarth@mq.edu.au

General Enquiries: Anne Kumanan, HR Officer via e-mail anne.kumanan@mq.edu.au

Application close: Sunday 16^th February 2020 at 11:55 pm

At Macquarie University, we are committed to providing a working environment where each individual is valued, respected and supported to progress. Our priority is to ensure culture, policies and processes are truly inclusive and that no-one is disadvantaged on the basis of their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identity, gender, culture, disability, LGBTIQA+ identities, family and caring responsibilities, age, or religion. We encourage everyone who meets the selection criteria and shares Macquarie University’s values of scholarship, empowerment and integrity to apply.

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Applications need to be submitted through the Macquarie University online recruitment system. Where circumstances such as disability or remote location prohibit your access to our online system please contact the enquiries person listed in this advertisement for assistance.