Software & Systems Engineer / PostDoc for Edge-Enabled and Quantum-Safe Networks

Secure communications and networking have become a key cornerstone for the Internet enabling several trusted applications which we take for granted today. For example, services such as digital banking, connected transport, digital medical records, defence, governmental and of course data communications - would be challenging should the trust in modern communication systems be lost. As quantum technologies progress rapidly, the growing capabilities of quantum computers threatens the security and then the trust of current cryptographic technologies and protocols. Preventing this threat requires adoption of quantum safe cryptography in the form of post-quantum crypto (PQC) algorithms and protocols and/or using quantum key distribution (QKD). Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) has established an open access testbed for quantum safe communications where various QKD and PQC solutions are evaluated and tested. Various research activities at TU/e are developing network protocols and solutions for quantum safe communications, as well continuous and discrete variable QKD transmitters and receivers (based on electronic and photonic integration technology). At TU/e, QKD systems have been developed to run the required full signal processing chain in real-time at relatively high secret key rates. The testbed evaluates these QKD systems together with PQC for real-world applicable quantum safe communication solutions and investigates their integration with classical communication networks. Quantum key distribution nodes to be deployed in the field in Eindhoven.The project Collaborative Edge-Cloud Continuum and Embedded AI for a Visionary Industry of the Future (CLEVER) is a 15 million Euro project which introduces innovative solutions in the area of hardware accelerators, design stack, and middleware software that will enhance the adaptability and resource efficiency of edge computing platforms. In collaboration with a wide range of academic and industrial partners (incl. among others Dell Technologies, Mellanox/NVIDIA, Synopsys, and BMW), TU/e will contribute to the development of highly innovative hardware accelerators and will provide its testbed comprising advanced edge computing nodes for demonstration of hardware, middleware and software developments and relevant use cases.

European Quantum Communications Infrastructure project QCINed
The project Quantum Communications Infrastructure in the Netherlands (QCINed) is a 10 million Euro project which is carrying out research and development of systems engineered for quantum key distribution as well as relevant encryption and classical communication systems (https://quantumdelta.nl/qcined). In collaboration with QuTech at TU Delft, Surf and various other small to medium enterprises in the Netherlands, QCINed project aims to establish the basis for a national (and European cross border) quantum communications infrastructure. We aim to prove real operation of quantum safe communications deployed in the field with industrial and governmental use-cases. We will demonstrate the full stack hardware and software components, bringing together systems from various vendors.

The Position
We are looking for a qualified software and systems engineer or post-doctoral researcher for the development and deployment of software components required for modern edge-enabled and quantum-safe communications networks. This software defined networking (SDN) network control and orchestration platforms as well as network monitoring and management functionality. The activities include the design and implementation of such systems including their deployment and operation in the quantum-safe communications testbed and are expected to be conducted in close collaboration with the researchers deploying and operating the testbed. You will join a highly dynamic team that has established a testbed comprising of a number of advanced edge nodes with CPU, GPU and DPU capabilities embedded in network for quantum safe communications. The team has established a highly flexible and secure key management system and development of network control and monitoring functionality are ongoing. The candidate will play a leading role in further developing the operational tools and automation of this network and its use for the demonstration of different use cases involving edge computing and quantum-safe communications. The candidate will interact with research and industrial partners to drive the deployment of the testbed and continuous expansion of its capabilities.

The position includes a number of activities, duties and responsibilities including:

• Develops software and interface specifications and prepares system level specifications.
• Analyses, designs, and develops software systems including network operating and automation as well as control and management systems.
• Conducts moderate to complex design reviews to demonstrate functionality and security best practices.
• Writes and analyses test plans, executes tests and evaluates test results for use at peer design reviews and project notebooks.
• Prepares and maintains product documentation, including data sheets, instruction manuals, project notebooks, design, and test documentation.
• Supports the establishment, development, and operations of the testbed for quantum secure communications and networking.
• Provides and maintains accurate project plans. Manages and/or leads software projects of moderate complexity.

The position forms part of the QCINed and CLEVER projects which - together with a number of national and international partners - aims to establish the technologies required for future edge-enabled and quantum-safe communication networks. Depending on the chosen candidate, this position make take a more research or more engineering focused direction.

You will join the Electro-Optical Communications group within the Department of Electrical Engineering and will be embedded with the team developing and deploying the quantum safe communications testbed. You will work in the facilities of the quantum photonic systems and networking laboratories. You will work with the deployed network of the quantum safe communications testbed and actively collaborate with the industrial and academic partners in the QCINed project and QDNL programme.

About Quantum & Terahertz Systems team at TU/e, EHCI Institute and QuantumDelta NL
Eindhoven University of Technology is a leading international university specializing in engineering, science & technology. Through excellent research and teaching, TU/e contribute to progress in the technical sciences, to the development of technological innovations, and as a result to the growth of prosperity and welfare in the region and beyond. TU/e supports close links with industry, healthcare, and the building & logistics sectors. TU/e is a central part of the Brainport Eindhoven region, which combines research on future technologies and several open innovation campuses with a strong industrial base including a mix of small, medium, and large global enterprises. TU/e has formed the Eindhoven Hendrik Casimir Institute (EHCI) and Center for Quantum Materials and Technology Eindhoven (QT/e) both with the explicit aim for furthering quantum technologies.

The candidate will be embedded in the Quantum & Terahertz Systems (QTS) lab within the Electro-Optical Communications (ECO) group, a well-equipped laboratory focussed on developing secure and robust optical and radio communications systems and demonstrating their value a variety of applications including 5G/6G networks, edge and cloud computing as well as autonomous mobility. The laboratory is well funded by several European Commission projects and by the Dutch Ministry of Economic and Climate Affairs through two national growth funds programmes in Quantum Communications and Photonics.

Quantum Delta NL (QDNL) is public-private foundation, launched in 2020 with the mandate to coordinate and execute the Netherland's National Agenda for Quantum Technology (NAQT). Quantum Delta NL has been awarded €615 million from the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy to power the advancement of quantum technology. TU/e hosts one of five QDNL major quantum hubs, collaborating on innovation by bringing together top-quality scientists, engineers, students, and entrepreneurs, working together on the frontier of quantum technology. The Eindhoven Quantum hub includes the creation of a field-deployed quantum safe communications testbed with the aim to become a testing facility and proving ground for quantum communications technology open to scientific and commercial partners form all over Europe and around the globe.