QuNEST Vacancies

Ph.D Vacancies in Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions project QuNEST– Quantum Enhanced Optical Communication Network Security Doctoral Training

Research Programme Description

“QuNEST– Quantum Enhanced Optical Communication Network Security Doctoral Training” is hiring 11 Doctorate Candidates to be funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks. QuNEST is a highly interdisciplinary and intersectoral Doctoral Network composed of leading academic and industrial partners. The consortium consists of six academic institutions, namely: Eindhoven University of Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, University of L’Aquila, University of Warsaw and University of Geneva as well as the companies: ADVA Network Security, Exatel, IDQuantique, Infinera Germany, KEEQuant (SME), NKT Photonics, Nokia Bell Labs France, Telecom Italia Mobile, Quantum Optical Technologies (SME), Quantum Telecommunications Italy and VPIphotonics and involves seven different European countries. The diverse consortium provides a unique and timely opportunity to train students in quantum physics and optical communications.

The driving force for QuNEST – is to provide high-level and highly collaborative training to 11 highly achieving Doctoral Candidates. This Doctoral Network is a highly multi-disciplinary, spanning areas of quantum physics, simulations, photonics, optical transmission, Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) protocols, implementation security, error correction algorithms, digital signal processing, networks and control, requiring cross-disciplinary and intersectoral training targeted at creating experts in this emerging multidisciplinary field. The QuNEST Doctoral Candidates will be trained by doing research, in which they will demonstrate the potential of combining quantum and classical optical data signals in a single fiber with the aim to develop ground-breaking and commercially attractive, short-to-medium term solutions targeting European industry leadership in this highly challenging sector. QuNEST will train much-needed future scientists and engineers who will design, build, deploy and operate the next generation quantum secured optical communications infrastructure.

The Doctoral Network program is designed to follow technical, scientific, and transferable skills, enabling the next generation of young researchers/engineers with excellent skills in understanding the challenges of quantum secure optical communications. All Doctoral Candidates will carry out secondments and placements with industrial partners at the earliest possible opportunity. Transferable skills and technical workshops from industrial partners will be central to the training of the Doctoral Candidates.

Job descriptions of all 11 positions

Job Description (DC2) – Eindhoven University of Technology

Project title: Development and analysis of modulation and shaping schemes for quantum key distribution protocols
Host institution: Eindhoven University of Technology
PhD enrolment: Eindhoven University of Technology
Supervisors: A. Alvarado (Eindhoven University of Technology). Co-supervisor: L. Schmalen (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology) Mentor: A. Napoli (Infinera)
Research Objectives: To design modulation formats and error correction protocols for QKD schemes. DC2 will jointly design the protocol and the high-order (shaped) modulation format for practical settings. Information-theoretic security of QKD with such finite-cardinality constellations for the specific error correction protocol under consideration will be analysed. The susceptibility of the proposed techniques and constellations to finite-size effects resulting from a finite number of communication attempts will be investigated. The final goals are to increase the state-of-the-art secret key rates and transmission distances in practical QKD settings. The DC2 will tailor the proposed protocol and modulation format to the state-of-the-art error correction codes.
Expected Results: 1) Error correction protocol for QKD schemes with shaped modulation formats designed to maximize secret key rates and transmission distances, 2) Experimental assessment of the protocol in conjunction with industrial partner, 3) Extension of the techniques with advanced channel code designs
Secondments: The doctoral candidate secondments periods are planned at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Nokia Bell Labs France, University of L’Aquila
Status: Open until 31/08/2024
Link to vacancy: TBA

Job Description (DC4) – Technical University of Denmark

Project title: Ultra-low noise laser sources for quantum communication
Host institution: Technical University of Denmark
PhD enrolment: Technical University of Denmark
Supervisors: D. Zibar (Technical University of Denmark). Co-supervisor: P. Bowen (NKT Photonics) Mentor: C. Okonkwo (Eindhoven University of Technology)
Research Objectives: DC4 will develop machine learning framework for amplitude and phase noise characterization of lasers with quantum limited performance for ultra-low noise systems for QKD. A special focus will be given to neural-network based state-space model for joint amplitude and phase noise tracking. The amplitude and phase noise, and their correlation properties will then be explored to develop a reinforcement learning framework to reduce laser amplitude and phase noise to their quantum limited values. The quantum noise limited laser sources will be tested and validated experimentally in collaboration with University of Warsaw and ADVA Network Security. DC4 will collaborate with University of L’Aquila team on the mathematical framework for investigating how machine learning can be used to extract fibre parameters at the quantum limit.
Expected Results: 1) Novel framework for quantum noise limited noise characterization of laser sources 2) Novel feedback framework for noise reduction 3) Quantum noise limited laser sources
Secondments: The doctoral candidate secondments periods are planned at University of Warsaw, Quantum Optical Technologies, ADVA Network Security, University of L’Aquila
Status: Open until 31/08/2024
Link to vacancy: TBA

Job Description (DC6) – University of L’Aquila

Project title: Modelling generation and transmission of signals for CV- and DV- QKD
Host institution: University of L’Aquila
PhD enrolment: University of L’Aquila
Supervisors: C. Antonelli (University of L’Aquila) Co-supervisor: C. Okonkwo (Eindhoven University of Technology). Mentor: D.Bacco (Quantum Telecommunications Italy)
Research Objectives: DC6 will study of the impact of propagation effects on the quality of the received signals and the extraction of the quantum key, in standard single-mode fibers and multi-core fibers, in the presence of classical signals. DC6 will: (i) develop analytical and numerical tools for studying the generation of quantum states and their propagation in optical fibers with various propagation-induced impairments, including the assessment of the relevant figures of merit; (ii) evaluate the feasibility of QKD in coexistence with frequency-multiplexed and spatially multiplexed classical signals. The devised models will be tested against experimental studies carried out in collaboration with the industrial partners, also through field trials in L’Aquila QKD and Eindhoven University of Technology’s QKD testbeds.
Expected Results: 1) Experimentally validated end-to-end models for CV-QKD and DV-QKD fiber-communications systems ;2) Characterization of the coexistence of classical and quantum signals, devising of optimal signaling schemes multiplexing strategies.
Secondments: The doctoral candidate secondments periods are planned at Nokia Bell Labs France, Eindhoven University of Technology, KEEQuant
Status: Open until 31/08/2024
Link to vacancy: TBA

Job Description (DC9) – KEEQuant

Project title: Photonic Integrated classical/quantum transceiver for classical quantum communications
Host institution: KEEQuant
PhD enrolment: Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Supervisors: I. Khan (KEEQuant), L. Schmalen (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology). Mentor: T. Buchner (EXATEL)
Research Objectives: Design, develop and characterise the opto-electronic and photonic subsystems of an integrated CV-QKD transceiver. DC9 will study the integrated transceivers suitability for enabling quantum/classical propagation applications, e.g., considering choice of wavelength, platform substrates (InP, Si, SiN), modulation format and Tx/Rx DSP. Simulations will be performed to narrow parameter spaces for subsequent design choices. The DC will be trained in the full chain of design, development, lab characterisation of photonic integrated circuits, enabled by multi-project wafer runs. The candidate will investigate the impact of the developed transceiver on the achievable secret key rate for quantum/classical propagation both in a lab as well as in a field-test environment.
Expected Results: 1) Perform simulation of CV-QKD module on engineering level, 2) Design of a CV-QKD transceiver module 3) Characterization and performance evaluation 4) Test in a fiber and free-space optical transmission scenario
Secondments: The doctoral candidate secondments periods are planned at Eindhoven University of Technology, Technical University of Denmark, University of L’Aquila
Status: Open until 31/08/2024
Link to vacancy: TBA

Job Description (DC11) – IDQuantique

Project title: Real-time reconfigurable QKD systems from seamless integration in a modern network architecture.
Host institution: IDQuantique
PhD enrolment: University of Geneva
Supervisors: G. Boso (IDQuantique); Co-Supervisor: R Thew (University of Geneva); Mentor: Thomas Bradley (Eindhoven University of Technology).
Research Objectives: DC11 will acquire the necessary knowledge of the current state-of-the-art in QKD systems and protocols both from an optical and a control plane point of view. Based on simulations and testbed operation of QKD transmission over a fiber based transmission channel, DC 11 will optimise the QKD network variations (e.g. excess loss, switching between fibers and TX/RX pairs and addition of co-propagating WDM system). The DC will re-design of the processing algorithms (e.g., error correction, sifting, privacy amplification) as applied to commercial QKD system to make them reconfigurable in real-time. Finally, the DC will work on a demonstrator at Eindhoven University of Technology and University of L’Aquila where a set of QKD systems can be reconfigured in real time via a network management system.
Expected Results: 1) Optimised parameters for a QKD system based on the transmission channel specifications, 2) New real-time configurable processing algorithms for QKD, 3) Reconfigurable QKD network demonstrator
Secondments: The doctoral candidate secondments periods are planned at EXATEL, VPIphotonics, University of Geneva
Status: Open until 31/08/2024
Link to vacancy: TBA

Job Requirements

We are looking for candidates who meet the following requirements:

You are creative, ambitious, hard-working, and persistent.
You have an MSc degree in electrical engineering, applied physics, mathematics or any other relevant program.
You have theoretical and applied knowledge of Quantum communications or Photonics
You have hands-on experimental experience in Quantum communications or Optical Communications lab based setups
You have good communicative skills, and the attitude to collaborate successfully in the work of a research team.
You have a good command of the English language (Spoken and Written).

Conditions of employment

The successful candidates will receive a gross salary in accordance with the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) regulations for Doctoral Candidate researchers. According to the MSCA regulation, if the recruited doctoral candidate has or acquires family obligations during the action duration, a family allowance will be added, in case of eligibility.
The period of employment is 36-48 months depending on the host institution. In addition to their individual scientific projects, all fellows will benefit from further continuing education, which includes internships and secondments, a variety of training modules as well as transferable skills courses and attractive participation in conferences.
The Doctoral Candidates are expected to travel to network partners under three secondments for a typical duration of 2-6 months. Additionally, the Doctoral Candidates are expected to participate in outreach activities including, but not limited to, YouTube videos, social media updates, participation in public events and campaigns, as well as dissemination to popular press.

Eligibility and mobility criteria (mandatory requirements EU rules)

The recruited researchers must be doctoral candidates, i.e. not already in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of the recruitment.
The recruited researchers must be employed full-time, unless the granting authority has approved a part-time employment for personal or family reasons
The recruited researchers must be working exclusively for the project
Recruited researchers can be of any nationality and must comply with the following mobility rule: they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date – unless as part of a compulsory national service or a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention

Selection Process:

The selection process of invited candidates contains two phases:
In the first phase, a wide range of selection practices will be used (including expert assessment, face-to-face interviews, etc.) to evaluate the potential candidates. The selection committee for each doctoral candidate will be composed of three members: the main supervisor from the hosting institution, a QuNEST representative from another beneficiary and the future secondment manager of the doctoral candidate.
In the second phase, the selected candidate will be evaluated by QuNEST’s Recruitment, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Committee. The committee addresses gender balance and diversity issues within the entire Doctoral Network and needs to approve the selected candidate.
QuNEST deals with a recruitment process based on the European principles of openness, fairness and transparency that guarantee a selection of candidates in respect of merit and gender balance. All institutions have clear equal opportunities policies ensuring equal and fair recruitment and employment of men and women.
Please note that all submitted applications will be checked against the defined eligibility and mobility criteria. Applications that do not follow these criteria will not be considered.

For more information about the individual projects, deadline for application, starting date, how to apply, project duration and any informal enquiries, please have a look at the website of the host institutions.