PhD on Quantum Computing × AI for Optimization

ETH Zürich; Zürich; Vor Ort; CHF 50.000 - 70.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Freedom to develop research ideas

Opportunity for collaboration with industry

Access to state-of-the-art facilities

Zusammenfassung

ETH Zürich invites applications for a PhD position focused on quantum computing and AI. This position is a collaboration with IBM Research Zurich, targeting optimization challenges at the intersection of these fields.

Ideal candidates will hold a Masters degree and possess strong coding and leadership skills. The position offers an inclusive environment and the freedom to develop research ideas while working with diverse teams.

Qualifikationen

• Masters degree in relevant field.
• Interest in theoretical/computational optimization methods.
• Strong leadership and coding skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Aufgaben

• Develop research ideas in quantum computing and AI.
• Collaborate with ETH faculty and IBM researchers.
• Mentor students and design work schedule.

Kenntnisse

Strong coding skills

Leadership skills

Interest in optimization methods

Ability to collaborate

Ausbildung

Masters degree in physics, mathematics, computer science, or related field

Jobbeschreibung

We invite applications for a PhD position at the intersection of quantum computing and artificial intelligence, focused on the challenge of advancing optimization through both technologies. The position is jointly in collaboration with Stefan Woerner (Principal Research Scientist & Manager, Applied Quantum Science, IBM Research Europe – Zurich) and by Juan Carrasquilla (Institute for Theoretical Physics, Department of Physics, ETH Zurich).

Job description

You will have the opportunity to work across both ETH Zurich and IBM Research Zurich, benefiting from the synergy between academic and industrial research. The topic of the PhD position sits at the crossroads of quantum computing, machine learning, and combinatorial optimization — an area where some of the most exciting and open questions in the field live. Research directions include:

• Using AI to learn parameters and design circuits for quantum optimization algorithms (e.g., beyond QUBO formulations for QAOA)
• Developing AI-driven methods to discover quantum optimization algorithms
• Generating quantum samples to warm-start classical AI solvers, or to produce quantum-enhanced features and embeddings

The core questions driving this research are fundamental and timely: How can we ensure AI-discovered quantum algorithms are not classical in disguise? How can we generate large-scale, high-quality quantum training data? And how can we combine quantum computing and AI to achieve a measurable, real-world advantage?

Profile

• A Masters degree in physics, mathematics, applied mathematics, computer science, quantum computing, machine learning
• Strong interest in the development of theoretical or computational methods for optimization methods, quantum computing, and machine learning
• Strong leadership skills
• Strong coding skills
• Ability to collaborate and establish positive interactions with a widely diverse group of people from different backgrounds, countries, ethnicities, genders, etc.
• Ability to work independently and in collaboration

We offer

• Freedom to develop your research ideas and skills
• Opportunity to collaborate with ETH faculty and IBM researchers, as well as internationally
• Mentor students
• Experience a supportive research atmosphere
• Define, jointly with the rest of the team, a work schedule that best fits your preferences and constraints
• Access to state-of-the-art computational facilities

In line with our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Sustainability is a core value for us – we are consistently working towards a climate-neutral future.