Senior Fellowship in Quantum-HEP -Geneva, Switzerland

At CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, physicists and engineers are probing the fundamental structure of the universe. Using the world’s largest and most complex scientific instruments, they study the basic constituents of matter – fundamental particles that are made to collide together at close to the speed of light. The process gives physicists clues about how particles interact, and provides insights into the fundamental laws of nature. Find out more on http://home.cern.

Diversity has been an integral part of CERN’s mission since its foundation and is an established value of the Organization.

The proposed work contributes to the implementation of quantum computing algorithms and technologies for theory, phenomenology and computational aspects related to LHC and future colliders at CERN. The fellowship position is based on CERN’s Department of Theoretical Physics (CERN-TH) and focuses on the development of high performance simulation codes for quantum algorithms, with emphasis on quantum optimization problems, quantum machine learning, and many-body quantum simulations applied to High Energy Physics (HEP). Research activities will include hybrid classical-quantum approaches, neural- and tensor-network tools, quantum signal processing, quantum error correction or mitigation, computational complexity, verification or benchmarking schemes for quantum devices, and quantum-circuit compiling and optimization.

As a Fellow you will:

• Design, implement and benchmark quantum algorithms for applications in HEP;
• Develop hybrid classic-quantum mathematical models based on variational quantum architectures. Design open source libraries for quantum machine learning applications, including regression, classification and generative models for HEP;
• Work in synergy with Fellows from the CERN-TH group and PhD students from the Quantum Technology Initiative. Organize, participate and promote quantum computation at CERN, with journal clubs, seminars, workshops and conferences.

Eligibility criteria

• You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State. A limited number of positions are also available to candidates from Non-Member States.
• You have a PhD, or at least 4 years’ relevant experience since the completion of your MSc (or the equivalent diploma which gives access to doctoral programmes) in Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics or in a similar relevant course, and in both cases a maximum limit of 10 years’ experience after completion of you MSc.

Essential skills and experience

• Research experience, documented by publications in peer reviewed journals, in at least one of the following fields: quantum information, theoretical particle physics, computational physics.
• Basic knowledge and/or strong interest in high performance computing, hardware accelerators (GPUs), multi-node grid computing, mathematical models, including artificial intelligence applied to physics.
• Good communication skills and ability to perform research in a collaborative environment, in synergy with other researchers.

Please note that CERN Staff members are not eligible to apply for a Fellowship.

CERN would very much like to benefit from your expertise, commitment and passion.  In return, we offer:

• An employment contract for between six months (minimum) up to a maximum of 36 months. A regular fellowship duration is 24 months.
• A stipend ranging from 7,201 to 8,178 Swiss Francs per month (net of tax).
• Coverage by CERN’s comprehensive health scheme (for yourself, your spouse and children), and membership of the CERN Pension Fund.
• Depending on your individual circumstances: an installation grant, family, child and infant allowances as well as travel expenses to and from Geneva.
• 2.5 days of paid leave per month.

Your future Life @CERN

Get a glimpse of what it’s like to work at CERN: https://careers.cern/benefits and https://careers.cern/our-people

This is how you can apply:

Please provide the following documents to complete your application:

• A CV;
• A scanned PDF of your most recent relevant qualification;
• A statement of research interests (maximum one  page).
• Three recent letters of recommendation (not older than a year at the time of the deadline for applications), giving an overview of your academic and/or professional achievements.
  • You can upload these letters at the time of application if you have them to hand. You will also be provided with a link as soon as you have submitted your application to forward to your referees to upload their letters confidentially. Please note this must be done before the closing date.

You will also be asked to name:

• The three most important publications to which you have made a significant contribution;
• Three international conferences or workshops at which you have given presentations;

All applications should reach us no later than 1 September 2021 noon (12:00 CEST).