Research Fellow in High Energy Physics and Quantum Computing

Theory Group

Location:  Highfield Campus

Salary:   £34,980 to £41,732 Per annum

Full Time Fixed Term for 24 months

Closing Date:  Monday 29 January 2024

Interview Date:   See advert

Reference:  2402023WF-R

About us:

University of Southampton is a world-leading research centre in theoretical and computational high energy physics with a group consisting 16 academics, 2 emeritus professors, 5 Research Fellows, and 30 PGR students. Within the Southampton High Energy Physics (SHEP) group, Dr Bipasha Chakraborty leads research in quantum computation for high energy physics. The other research interests of the SHEP include: lattice QCD, physics beyond the standard model, particle physics and cosmology, neutrino physics, b-quark and kaon phenomenology, exact renormalization group, extra-dimensional models of the weak interactions, weak interaction corrections at high energies, twistor methods, holography, strings and branes, and high density QCD. For more information see https://www.hep.phys.soton.ac.uk. 

About the role:

SHEP invites applications for a Research Fellow (post-doctoral) position to work with Dr Chakraborty on robust and reliable implementation of near- and medium-term quantum computations in high energy physics. This position is for two years at the first instance and is funded by a large collaborative grant EPSRC RoaRQ: Robust and Reliable Quantum Computing project (in collaboration with Dr Miriam Backens at University of Birmingham, Dr Balint Koczor and Dr Zhenyu Cai at the University of Oxford, and Dr Sarah Malik at University College London).  

Please note, this funding cycle is not in sync with usual theoretical high energy physics funding cycle, and so as the hiring. Therefore, the tentative joining date will be in October, 2023 or as soon as possible thereafter (we will consider cases where flexibility is needed). 

For informal enquiries, please contact Dr Bipasha Chakraborty, B.Chakraborty@soton.ac.uk.

About you:

The successful applicant will have or be soon to complete a PhD* (or equivalent professional qualification and experience) in mathematics/theoretical physics/theoretical computer science/computational science, and have research experience in quantum field theories and/or high energy physics and/or quantum computation. Experience in lattice QCD computations or numerical simulations of quantum field theories is desired. 

Candidates will need to apply through the online system to be considered for the position. Candidates will need to upload a cover letter in support of application, a Curriculum Vitae, a list of publications, and a research statement including past research experiences and future research interests (maximum two pages long), and arrange for three letters of reference to be uploaded by your referees on the online system by the application deadline. In case of no previous quantum computation research experience candidates should address it in their statement and explain why they are suitable for this role. 

At the University of Southampton, we value diversity and equality. The University recognises that employees may wish to have working patterns that fit with their caring responsibilities or work-life balance. Due consideration will also be given to applicants who have had career breaks for reasons including maternity, paternity or adoption leave, disability or illness. Both the University of Southampton and Physics & Astronomy are proud to hold Athena Swan Silver Awards. The School of Physics & Astronomy is also a Project Juno Champion.

*Applications for Research Fellow positions will be considered from candidates who are working towards or nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification. The title of Research Fellow will be applied upon successful completion of the PhD.  Prior to the qualification being awarded the title of Senior Research Assistant will be given.

Interviews are to be scheduled on 25th, 26th and 29th of January.