Professor in Quantum Technologies

Job id: 086311. Salary: Starting from £80,324; including London Weighting Allowance.

Posted: 14 March 2024. Closing date: 14 April 2024.

Business unit: Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sci. Department: NMES Faculty Office.

Contact details:Professor Mark French and Dr James Millen. [email protected] and [email protected]

Location: Strand Campus. Category: Academic & Teaching.

We are recruiting a Professor in Quantum Technologies as part of a major expansion in Quantum Technologies research and education at King’s College London. 

These positions form part of a major £45m investment into interdisciplinary science at King’s, focused on boundary-breaking science research, education and innovation that benefits society. This investment is accelerating growth across science disciplines and stimulating new initiatives at the interfaces between traditional areas. 

We are looking for talented academics with strong track records in research and education. Specific areas of interest include, but are not restricted to: 

• Quantum sensors and devices across a range of platforms, including photonics, nanotechnology, and atomic / molecular physics, as well as quantum information processing technologies. 
• Quantum imaging technologies, including to support life sciences research and the study of quantum effects in biological environments. 
• Theoretical foundations for quantum technologies, including quantum measurement theory, entanglement theory, and decoherence models. Exploring theoretical models and their application in quantum computing and quantum communication. 
• Quantum computing including development and/or application and development of quantum algorithms (both for reliable fault-tolerant and NISQ architectures), quantum emulation, development of devices, programming languages, and software engineering or programming languages for quantum computing technologies. Mathematical aspects of quantum information theory, such as quantum error correction and topological quantum computing. 
• Theoretical and mathematical tools for quantum simulations, including Hamiltonian dynamics, quantum phase transitions, and the application of tensor network methods. 
• Quantum and post-quantum security. Foundational aspects of quantum cryptography, including security proofs and the development of quantum-resistant cryptographic protocols. 
• Quantum communication and information theory, including distributed quantum computing and quantum key distribution.  
• Quantum machine learning and optimisation. 

Successful candidates will play a key role in developing and executing internationally leading research, working collaboratively across King’s. You will have a strong research track record, demonstrating interdisciplinary engagement, and be ready to establish and grow a research programme that attracts external funding. You will also be committed to educating scientists of the future through a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes, including innovative new programmes in Natural Sciences.

This is an opportunity to contribute to the strategic growth of world-class research, working synergistically across disciplines, and identifying and growing promising early career researchers. We also wish to maximise the relevance of our work to society through engaged research that engages diverse audiences, especially in our local communities in London and beyond.

It is important that King’s reflects the diversity of the population we serve, and we strongly encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

Shortlisted candidates will be consulted on appropriate discipline areas and host departments as part of the selection and interview process.

This post will be offered on an indefinite contract. 

This is a full-time post.

• Provide academic leadership in an appropriate area of research 
• Establish, develop and sustain an internationally competitive, externally-funded research programme consistent with, or complementary to departmental / faculty / university research strategies at King’s. 
• Maintain a consistent, outstanding track record of publication (typically 2-4 research publications (depending on appointment level) over a rolling five-year period that includes world leading or internationally excellent work, as first, last and/or corresponding author). 
• Contribute to teaching of undergraduate and postgraduate students and curriculum development. 
• Plan, organise and deliver a range of teaching and assessment activities (e.g. lecturing, project supervision and tutorials) and leading on at least one substantive module/programme. 
• Supervise and train postgraduate and undergraduate students to ensure their effective development. 
• Supervise and train research and technical staff employed on the post holder’s research projects to ensure their effective development. 
• Engage in the dissemination of research through knowledge transfer, outreach, continuing professional development, public engagement etc. 
• Contribute fully to academic life and strategic planning within a Department/School and, where required/appropriate to the wider strategic planning processes in Faculty and University at an appropriate level. 
• Identify strategic development opportunities in teaching and research and contribute to the development of these ideas. 
• Contribute to driving and ensuring a positive and inclusive research culture. 

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Essential criteria

Desirable criteria

Applications should include: 

• a 1 page cover letter highlighting your key scientific contributions, a brief summary of future plans and fit with King’s. Please also indicate which departments/faculties you feel that you best align with. 
• a CV with a full publication list 
• a research statement (up to 2 pages) 
• a teaching statement (up to 1 page) 
• details of three academic referees, including one from your current or most recent employer. Should you be shortlisted, letters of recommendation will be sought ahead of the interview from two of your references. The third reference, from your current employer, will only be requested with your consent. 

Candidates should detail how they meet the essential criteria listed in the advert. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.

The shortlisting / interview process will take place in two stages: a panel interview and, if shortlisted, an invitation to present a seminar and meet colleagues. Initial interviews are due to take place in early May.

We particularly welcome applications from female and minority ethnic candidates. We understand that flexible working arrangements or career breaks may be necessary in certain circumstances and welcome the opportunity to discuss this possibility.

We also welcome and support proleptic appointments for candidates with existing personal fellowships.