Doctoral Researcher in quantum computing and algorithms

Aalto University • Full-time • Finland • 3w ago

Aalto University is where science and art meet technology and business. We shape a sustainable future by making research breakthroughs in and across our disciplines, sparking the game changers of tomorrow and creating novel solutions to major global challenges. Our community is made up of 120 nationalities, 14 000 students, 400 professors and close to 5000 faculty and staff working on our dynamic campus in Espoo, Greater Helsinki, Finland. Diversity is part of who we are, and we actively work to ensure our community’s diversity and inclusiveness. This is why we warmly encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to join our community. The School of Electrical Engineering is one of the six schools of Aalto University. Our portfolio covers fields from natural sciences to engineering and information sciences. In parallel with basic research, we develop ideas and technologies further into innovations and services. We are experts in systems science; we develop integrated solutions from care of the elderly to space robotics. We are now looking for a Doctoral Researcher in quantum computing and algorithms. Are you as excited about quantum technology and its future applications as we are? We are now looking for a doctoral researcher to join the Micro and Quantum Systems (MQS) research group in developing quantum computing schemes for practical applications at Aalto University’s Electronics and Nanoengineering department. In this position you will have a chance to take a deep dive into quantum computing and make a real impact by high-quality research. Join us in shaping the future! Your role and goals Your primary task as a doctoral researcher is to conduct research into quantum algorithms and information, and thus earn your PhD degree. You are expected to take an active role in advancing the research projects of the MQS group. Our recent research has focused on the theory and applications of variational quantum algorithms and quantum machine learning. We also have activity in quantum optics, so additional experience and interest in this topic is considered a definite advantage. Theoretical research into the capabilities of quantum computing and quantum advantage is also a prospective topic, especially in relation to cryptography. The exact research topics can be adjusted within the limits set by our current projects according to the interests of the applicant. Your goal in research will be to produce world-class results, in collaboration with the other group members, and publish them in high-impact journals. In addition to research, you will also be expected to take courses as a part of your PhD degree and participate in the teaching activities of the research group. Your network and team Currently, our research group consists of 1 professor, 1 lecturer, 1 staff scientist, 1 postdoc and 5 PhD students. The group is led by Professor Ilkka Tittonen. Your experience and ambitions Applicants are expected to hold a Master’s degree and excellent study records in theoretical physics, mathematics, computer science, or other relevant field. have a keen interest in quantum computing have a working proficiency in English. (Finnish language is not required.) The research topics can be adjusted according to the background of the applicant. Familiarity with cryptography and/or quantum optics is an advantage. Teaching experience will also be a valuable asset. What we offer We offer the applicant the opportunity to conduct research in a vibrant and active national and international community. Finland hosts many active research groups in quantum computing connected via a national quantum consortium called InstituteQ with many quantum-related activities. We also have access to real quantum hardware, VTT’s Q50 machine, which sits right downstairs from our offices. Aalto University also offers ample opportunities for multidisciplinary research and teaching collaboration. We offer you interesting work in an inspiring work environment. You will work in a community of students, researchers and other professionals, where we promote socially significant goals in the fields of science and education. We will familiarize you with your tasks and you will become part of a friendly and competent team that will offer you support in your work tasks also in the future. We work in a hybrid way, and the primary workplace is Otaniemi, Espoo. The Otaniemi campus is a thriving and connected community of 100 nationalities, 13,000 students and 4,500 employees. Life at the transformed campus is vibrant and filled with amazing architecture, calming nature, and a variety of cafes, restaurants, services and good connections along the recently opened metro line. Join us! To apply, please share your application with us through our recruitment site ("Apply now!”) at the latest by March 31, 2026. Applications submitted by email will not be accepted. We encourage you to apply early, as we will go through applications, and we may invite suitable candidates to interview already during the application period. Transcript of study records CV Motivation letter Recommendation letters (max. 2, if available) Please note: Aalto University’s employees should apply for the position via our internal HR system Workday (Internal Jobs) by using their existing Workday user account (not via the external webpage for open positions). If you are a student or visitor at Aalto University, please apply with your personal email address (not aalto.fi) via Aalto University open positions. For more information regarding the open position, please contact university lecturer Matti Raasakka, matti.raasakka@aalto.fi or professor Ilkka Tittonen, ilkka.tittonen@aalto.fi. In any question regarding the recruitment process, please contact HR Advisor, hr-elec@aalto.fi. Want to know more about us and your future colleagues? You can watch these videos: Aalto University – Towards a better world, Aalto People , and Shaping a Sustainable Future. Read more about working at Aalto: https://www.aalto.fi/en/careers-at-aalto Check out our new virtual campus experience: https://virtualtour.aalto.fi/ About Finland Finland is a great place for living with or without family – it is a safe, politically stable and well-organized Nordic society. Finland is consistently ranked high in quality of life and was just listed again as the happiest country in the world. For more information about living in Finland: https://www.aalto.fi/en/careers-at-aalto/for-international-staff . More about Aalto University: Aalto.fi youtube.com/user/aaltouniversity linkedin.com/school/aalto-university/ www.facebook.com/aaltouniversity instagram.com/aaltouniversity To view information about Workday Accessibility, please click here. Please see more of our Open Positions here. Aalto University is where science and art meet technology and business. We shape a sustainable future by making research breakthroughs in and across our disciplines, sparking the game changers of tomorrow and creating novel solutions to major global challenges. Our community is made up of 14 000 students, 400 professors and close to 5000 other faculty and staff working on our dynamic campus in Espoo, Greater Helsinki, Finland. Diversity is part of who we are, and we actively work to ensure our community’s diversity and inclusiveness. This is why we warmly encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to join our community.

TECHNICAL & MARKET ANALYSIS | Appended by Quantum.Jobs

This doctoral research function is structurally essential as the foundational engine for advancing the Quantum Technology Readiness Level (TRL) for software and algorithmic applications. The primary structural challenge facing the quantum ecosystem is the translational gap between theoretical proofs of concept and industrially viable applications for noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) hardware. Roles of this nature directly address the critical workforce scarcity within quantum information science, ensuring the pipeline of domain-specific expertise required to architect fault-tolerant algorithms and hybrid computational workflows. The value proposition is the systematic validation and benchmarking of new algorithmic primitives, directly impacting the timeline for achieving quantum advantage across key industrial sectors like finance and materials science. This academic research acts as a necessary precursor for commercial software development and application scaling.

This role is situated within the "Algorithms and Applications" layer of the global quantum value chain, focusing on the theoretical underpinnings that govern both near-term noisy devices and future fault-tolerant machines. The current macro constraint is the intrinsic noise and limited qubit count of existing hardware, which necessitates intense research into error-mitigation and resource-efficient algorithms, such as variational quantum eigensolvers (VQE) and quantum approximate optimization algorithms (QAOA). Academic institutions are the primary source for innovation in this domain, providing the testbed for protocols that maximize utility within the constraints of present-day coherence times and connectivity graphs.

The European ecosystem, supported by coordinated national and regional programs, critically relies on sustained doctoral-level research to maintain its competitive posture against well-funded North American and Asian industry efforts. Workforce development in quantum algorithms remains a high-priority area globally, with the scarcity of highly-trained computational physicists and computer scientists directly impacting the rate of technology adoption. Research activity originating from hubs like Aalto University is vital for establishing rigorous benchmarks and theoretical proofs of security, particularly in domains such as post-quantum cryptography, which acts as a major translational pathway to government and defense sectors.

Furthermore, the integration of quantum systems into established classical High-Performance Computing (HPC) workflows requires foundational research into efficient hybrid algorithms. This research pipeline dictates the ultimate feasibility of using quantum resources to accelerate segments of complex classical computations. Sustaining this academic output is non-negotiable for bridging the chasm between fundamental science (TRL 1-3) and commercial prototyping (TRL 4-6). Sector-wide efforts continue to address the challenge of translating academic success into standardized, reproducible software libraries for global developer use.

The core technical architecture for this function centers on mastery of quantum information theory, particularly in the context of near-term device limitations and the mathematical structures of quantum advantage. Capability domains extend across quantum machine learning protocols and the rigorous analysis of quantum circuits for complexity, resource estimation, and error modeling. A necessary tooling layer involves proficiency in leading quantum software development kits (SDKs) and simulation frameworks, enabling rapid prototyping and hardware-agnostic design of quantum circuit models. This capability is paramount because it ensures the theoretical work is immediately testable and benchmarkable against real-world hardware backends, accelerating the feedback loop between algorithm development and physical system engineering. Interface points are primarily with theoretical physics for foundational work and with quantum software engineering teams for translation into high-performance, reproducible code. Expertise in quantum optics or post-quantum cryptography provides crucial leverage by enabling research into new qubit modalities or addressing high-priority national security applications, respectively.

Establishes fundamental limits for near-term quantum advantage benchmarking

Accelerates the discovery and optimization of variational quantum algorithms for industrial use

Cultivates a robust talent pipeline of quantum-native computational scientists for the global workforce

Drives standardization of quantum algorithm reporting for scientific reproducibility

Informs national quantum strategy development through theoretical security analysis

Shortens the research-to-commercialization timeline for quantum machine learning protocols

Enables systematic classification of computational problems suitable for quantum acceleration

Mitigates technical risk by developing quantum error detection and correction schemes

Strengthens academic-to-industry translation pathways via advanced PhD research

Enhances the performance ceiling of noisy intermediate-scale quantum devices

Provides theoretical frameworks for resource-efficient hybrid classical-quantum computation

Develops intellectual property in next-generation cryptographic resilience protocols

Industry Tags: Quantum Algorithms, Quantum Machine Learning, Quantum Information Theory, Variational Quantum Algorithms, Quantum Cryptography, Theoretical Physics, Quantum Software Development, Talent Pipeline, NISQ Era, Academic Research.

Keywords:

NAVIGATIONAL:

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TRANSACTIONAL:

Apply quantum computing research doctorate

Develop novel variational quantum algorithms