Trinity is Ireland’s leading university and is ranked 75th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2026). Founded in 1592, the University is steeped in history with a reputation for excellence in education, research, and innovation, which has been inspiring generations of thinkers for over 400 years.
Trinity College Dublin- an introduction.
The Wireless Engineering and Complexity Science Lab (WhyCOM) and Not A Space Race Lab (NASR) at Trinity College Dublin is seeking a PhD student to explore the influence of topology in designing & operation of distributed quantum networks.
The candidate will be part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action project ‘QUESTING’, a groundbreaking Doctoral Network initiative aimed at revolutionizing the field of Quantum Technology by addressing critical gaps in interdisciplinary education and training. This program will cultivate a new generation of “Q-System Innovators,” equipping doctoral candidates with expertise in quantum networks, hybrid classical-quantum systems, and interoperable cultural co-design. By integrating mathematics, physics, computing, and communications engineering with sociocultural and ethical perspectives, QUESTING pioneers an innovative approach to building scalable, robust, and adaptive quantum systems.
The program's holistic methodology spans from theoretical advancements to real-world applications, including secure quantum communication, distributed resource management, and sustainable network topologies. Through its unique blend of participatory research, co-design processes, and industry-academic collaboration, QUESTING ensures alignment with global challenges such as cybersecurity, digital transformation, and equitable access to emerging technologies. This initiative is instrumental in advancing the European Union's Quantum Technologies Flagship and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, fostering innovation-driven growth while preparing Europe to lead responsibly in the quantum revolution.
For this QUESTING PhD position at Trinity College Dublin we are seeking a researcher to investigate the influence of topology in designing & operation of distributed quantum networks.
Application Procedure Applicants should submit a full Curriculum Vitae to include the names and contact details of 2 referees (including email addresses) to Professor Nicola Marchetti ( nicola.marchetti@tcd.ie) and Prof Harun Siljak ( harun.siljak@tcd.ie). Only shortlisted applicants will be responded to, the next stage being a telco with Prof Nicola Marchetti, Prof Harun Siljak, and their teams. Please include a cover letter, CV, relevant academic transcripts and other information in ONE submitted .pdf file.
At Trinity, we are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. Trinity welcomes applications from all individuals, including those applicants with disabilities, those who may have had non-traditional career paths, those who have taken time out for reasons including family or caring responsibilities. We also welcome international applicants including those whom have been displaced due to war.
Trinity College Dublin is Ireland’s premier University. We are an EU Sustainable Gender Equality Champion and we hold an Athena Swan Silver award, recognising our ongoing work to advance gender equality both within Trinity and in the Higher Education sector. Trinity is committed to supporting work-life balance and to creating a family-friendly working environment.
TECHNICAL & MARKET ANALYSIS | Appended by Quantum.Jobs
The necessity for this research role is driven by the structural challenges in transitioning quantum entanglement from laboratory demonstration to wide-area network deployment. Topology optimization is a critical engineering bottleneck that dictates the long-term scalability and resilience of quantum communication infrastructure (QCI). By systematically modeling and evaluating network geometry, this role directly addresses the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) gap between localized quantum processors and globally distributed quantum internet architectures. This academic position accelerates the fundamental understanding required for complex, distributed quantum resource management, a core dependency for commercial viability.
The research function sits within the quantum systems and communications layers of the value chain, focusing specifically on the robust delivery of entangled states across disparate nodes. Macro constraints facing the deployment of metropolitan and continental quantum networks include high decoherence rates over distance, resource allocation friction in hybrid classical-quantum switching, and the architectural limitations imposed by current optical fiber infrastructure. This research pathway—part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action QUESTING project—is vital for mitigating network-level vulnerabilities that currently restrict the throughput and reliability of quantum key distribution (QKD) and distributed quantum computing.
Sector-wide efforts continue to address talent and integration challenges in quantum systems. The successful maturation of quantum networks depends heavily on bridging theoretical graph theory from mathematics and physics with practical communications engineering principles, a common interdisciplinary friction point. Without optimized network topologies, scalable quantum network architectures risk premature obsolescence due to inefficient resource utilization and failure to meet required quality of service (QoS) metrics necessary for financial and government sector adoption. Research originating from Trinity College Dublin directly contributes to the global talent pipeline necessary for developing robust communication standards for the Quantum Internet.
The technical skill architecture essential for this domain is highly interdisciplinary, spanning discrete mathematics, advanced graph theory, and communications protocol engineering. Core capabilities include formal methods for assessing network robustness, computational modeling of entanglement distribution and swapping across various network geometries (e.g., mesh, star, ring), and simulation of classical control plane integration for hybrid systems. Expertise in quantum error correction specific to network-level loss and noise is also paramount. These capabilities are crucial because they inform the design of hardware-agnostic communication stacks, significantly influencing the stability and interoperability of complex, multi-node quantum systems. Structural enablement relies on translating theoretical models into implementable routing and resource management protocols that minimize latency and maximize entanglement fidelity across real-world physical layers. * Establishes fundamental limits for scalable quantum network routing performance.
* Reduces latency friction in entanglement distribution across heterogeneous nodes.
* Informs standardized protocols for cross-vendor quantum network interoperability.
* Accelerates Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) for continental QCI deployment.
* Optimizes quantum resource allocation under dynamic noise and loss conditions.
* Mitigates architectural risks associated with non-standardized network topology choices.
* Shapes policy recommendations for national quantum communication infrastructure investments.
* Quantifies the trade-offs between network redundancy and entanglement throughput capacity.
* Drives innovation in sustainable, energy-efficient quantum network designs.
* Enhances fault tolerance in distributed quantum computing architectures.
* Improves long-distance secure quantum communication key generation rates.
* Develops metrics for evaluating the performance of hybrid classical-quantum switching fabrics.Industry Tags: Quantum Networks, Quantum Communication, Network Topology, Distributed Quantum Computing, Quantum Information Theory, Graph Theory, Communications Engineering, QKD, Quantum Internet, Marie Skłodowska-Curie.
Keywords:
NAVIGATIONAL: PhD Studentship Trinity College Dublin, QUESTING Doctoral Network application, Nicola Marchetti Harun Siljak research, quantum network topology research position, distributed quantum network engineering PhD, Trinity College Dublin quantum communications, research on quantum entanglement networks.
TRANSACTIONAL: influence of topology on quantum networks, designing resilient distributed quantum systems, doctoral research quantum network architecture, securing quantum communication via network topology, advanced quantum systems engineering careers, explore scalable quantum network designs, PhD quantum communication engineering programs.
INFORMATIONAL: critical role of topology in quantum internet, how to build scalable quantum networks, quantum error correction in network environments, hybrid classical quantum system integration challenges, TRL progression for distributed quantum computing, workforce development quantum technology flagship, resource management in quantum communication networks.
COMMERCIAL INVESTIGATION: commercial application of distributed quantum networks, investment outlook for quantum communication infrastructure, global market for scalable quantum QKD networks, ecosystem analysis quantum network development, security implications of quantum network topology, optimizing entanglement distribution performance.
Authority Tag: European Quantum Technologies Flagship alignment.