Position description

The Director of the Center for Theoretical Physics PAS (CFT PAS) announces a call for one PhD student fellowship at CFT PAS, financed under the project “Towards a useful Quantum Advantage” (TouQan) funded by the National Science Centre (NCN), registration number 2023/05/Y/ST2/00140 (ERA-NET Cofund QuantERA II). The project leader is dr hab. Michał Oszmaniec.

The proposed project concerns the use of indistinguishable particles (bosons, fermions, and more exotic variants subject to so-called “parastatistics”) for quantum computation. On one hand, indistinguishable particles provide an interesting platform for implementing computations (e.g. many-particle interference of photons or neutral atoms in optical traps). On the other hand, physical processes involving them can be a source of computational problems suitable for quantum devices.

The project is funded within the international QuantERA TouQan grant (https://touqan.eu/), which aims at rigorous explanations of the computational power of quantum simulators, especially in the context of quantum advantage — i.e., situations where quantum devices outperform their classical counterparts.

The project will focus on theoretical analysis of proposed realizations of quantum advantage, with special emphasis on Fermion Sampling and Boson Sampling schemes and their generalizations. Particular attention will be placed on realistic scenarios where noise is present and implementations are imperfect (e.g. particle loss, partial distinguishability, or gate errors). Technically, the project will combine advanced mathematical tools (differential geometry, representation theory, high-dimensional probability) with numerical simulations exploiting the structure of the studied problems.

Possible research topics within the project

  • Investigation of robustness of the Fermion Sampling scheme against local noises in state preparation, gate implementation, or measurements;
  • Analysis of experimental implementation of the Fermion Sampling scheme in optical networks;
  • Hardness of the Boson Sampling scheme under partial distinguishability of photons;
  • Development of tools for characterization of partial photon distinguishability;
  • Analysis of quantum-advantage schemes based on parastatistics and study of their relation to partial photon distinguishability.

Requirements

  • Master’s degree in Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related field;
  • Very good command of English;
  • Familiarity with basic concepts of information theory and quantum computing;
  • Interest in the current state of research in quantum computing;
  • (Recommended) Knowledge of many-body quantum physics and second quantization formalism;
  • (Optional) Basic knowledge of computational complexity theory (classes P, NP, BPP, BQP, PSPACE, etc.);
  • (Optional) Familiarity with advanced mathematical techniques used in mathematical physics, such as representation theory (finite groups, Lie groups and algebras), high-dimensional probability (concentration of measure), and differential geometry;
  • (Optional, not all required): programming experience (C++, Python, Matlab or Mathematica);
  • (Optional) Experience with quantum computing frameworks (Qiskit).

Required application documents

  1. Scientific CV including study record and scientific achievements (publications, participation in research projects, conference presentations), with the clause: “I consent to the processing of my personal data contained in the application documents for the purposes necessary to carry out recruitment by the WARSAW-4-PhD doctoral school”.
  2. Motivation letter.
  3. Copy of Master’s diploma or a statement from the Supervisor on the progress of the Master’s thesis and the planned defense date.
  4. Copies of documents confirming scientific or professional achievements.
  5. At least one letter of recommendation from a researcher holding at least a PhD degree, evaluating the candidate and their scientific activity.
  6. Application for admission to the WARSAW-4-PhD doctoral school.

Applications should be submitted electronically via the recruitment system at http://www.warsaw4phd.eu from 25 July 2025 to 8 August 2025.

If you have any questions, please contact: oszmaniec@cft.edu.pl

The stipend will be awarded in accordance with Polish law and NCN Council Resolution No. 124/2022 of 1 December 2022 regarding Regulations for Awarding NCN Scientific Scholarships in Research Projects funded by the National Science Centre, in the amount of 4,700 PLN net per month for a period of forty-eight months. The first twenty-one months will be financed within the QuantERA II project “Towards a useful Quantum Advantage” (grant agreement no. UMO-2023/05/Y/ST2/00140 with NCN), and the subsequent twenty-seven months from other sources.

The competition will be concluded by 15 September 2025.