PhD Studentship - Long-distance Continuous Variable Quantum Key Distribution with Amplifiers and Memories

Manchester Metropolitan University; Manchester; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 22,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition coverage

UKRI stipend (£21,805) for 2026/27

Job summary

Manchester Metropolitan University is offering a PhD project examining optical quantum repeaters for long-distance secure QKD. The research will develop theoretical frameworks to analyse repeater architectures and evaluate amplifier-enhanced and memory-assisted protocols.

Expected start date January 2027. Home students with fees covered for the duration of the three-year award, plus a UKRI-determined stipend (£21,805 for 2026/27).

Qualifications

• Essential: First or upper second class honours degree (2:1) from a UK university or equivalent in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline.
• Desirable: Knowledge of optics and communications; Knowledge of quantum optics and quantum communications; Familiarity with programming (MATLAB, Python).

Responsibilities

• Develop a generalised theoretical framework for quantum repeater architectures.
• Model realistic device imperfections by incorporating loss, noise, and other experimental constraints into the theoretical analysis.
• Provide design guidelines for future experimental implementations of quantum repeater networks, specifying hardware requirements and performance benchmarks.

Education

First or upper second class honours degree in Physics / Electrical Engineering / Computer Science (or near completion)

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Job description

Entanglement distribution is a foundational capability for quantum networks, enabling diverse quantum technologies including-but not limited to-quantum key distribution (QKD). QKD provides information-theoretic security even against quantum-capable adversaries, making it one of the most mature and commercially relevant applications of quantum communication.

However, current QKD links are limited to short distances. Overcoming this limitation requires quantum repeaters, which enable long-distance entanglement distribution and are therefore essential for building large-scale, secure quantum networks. Developing efficient, scalable, and physically realizable repeater-assisted architectures for entanglement distribution protocols remain a significant theoretical and practical challenge.

This PhD project will investigate optical quantum repeaters for long-distance secure QKD. You will develop theoretical frameworks to analyse repeater architectures, evaluating both amplifier-enhanced and memory-assisted protocols. Crucially, you will develop experiment-ready models that rigorously account for realistic device imperfections-bridging the gap between theory and practical implementation.

Objectives

• Develop a generalised theoretical frameworkfor quantum repeater architectures.
• Investigate and compare specific QKD protocols; Model realistic device imperfections by incorporating loss, noise, and other experimental constraints into the theoretical analysis.
• Provide design guidelinesfor future experimental implementations of quantum repeater networks, specifying hardware requirements and performance benchmarks.
• Contribute to the developmentof large-scale quantum communication infrastructure by identifying viable pathways for practical deployment of secure quantum networks.

Funding

Home students can apply only. Only home tuition fees will be covered for the duration of the three-year award, which is £5,238 for the year 2026/27.

The student will receive a standard stipend payment for the duration of the award. These payments are set at a level determined by UKRI, currently £21,805 for the year 2026/27.

Candidate requirements

The qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience applicants should have for this project, in addition to our standard entry requirements.

Essential

• First or upper second class (2:1) honours degree from a UK university or an equivalent qualification (or be close to completing) in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Strong analytical skills and motivation for independent research.

Desirable

• Knowledge of optics and communications.
• Knowledge of quantum optics and quantum communications.
• Familiarity with programming (such as MATLAB, Python, etc.).

Expected start date: January 2027

Please quote the reference: SciEng-Jan 2027-MG-Quantum Key Distribution

£21,805 - please see advert