Reader in Quantum Technologies

Location: Strand Campus

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

We are recruiting for up to two Reader positions 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.

Essential criteria:

• PhD/DPhil degree
• Scientific synergy with current research at King’s
• Significant, established expertise in an area of fundamental science research related area to quantum technologies
• Experience in leading high impact interdisciplinary research
• Outstanding independent track record of publication in peer reviewed journals
• Strong and consistent record of attracting peer reviewed research grant funding or fellowships
• Ability to define and lead a research area, taking responsibility for planning and undertaking own work
• Ability to work well as an effective member of a wider multi-disciplinary team and to share and encourage good practice
• Significant experience in contribution to academic administration
• Experience in supervising and developing research students and/or research staff
• Experience of serving on professional scientific boards and committees