Research Associate in “AI-Enhanced Spin-Based Quantum Experiments“

Heriot-Watt University; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

33 days annual leave

Supportive research environment

Job summary

Heriot-Watt University invites applications for a Research Associate position in AI-Enhanced Spin-Based Quantum Experiments. The role focuses on real-time AI methods for autonomous optimization of spin qubits in solid-state defects, supervised by Prof. Bonato, within IQN.

The fixed-term 24-month appointment offers exposure to cutting-edge quantum sensing and machine learning. Applicants should have a PhD in physics or related field, strong programming skills (C++, Python, MATLAB), and experience

Qualifications

• PhD in physics or related field.
• Strong programming skills (C++, Python, MATLAB) for data acquisition and analysis.
• Experience with optics, quantum mechanics, and NMR concepts.
• Ability to work as part of a team and communicate results effectively.

Responsibilities

• Implement and demonstrate robust multi-parameter quantum sensing protocols based on reinforcement learning.
• Upgrade the experimental setup with state-of-the-art quantum control hardware.
• Contribute to intellectual property protection and future applications.
• Oversee/postgraduate and undergraduate students, prepare scientific papers, and present research at conferences.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners and maintain collaborations within the project.
• Disseminate results through group meetings, journals, and conferences.

Skills

Programming

Optics/Quantum mechanics/NMR

Team collaboration

Experiment design & analysis

Education

PhD in physics or related

Tools

Optical setups

Microwave setups

Job description

Role:Research Associate in “AI-Enhanced Spin-Based Quantum Experiments “

Grade and Salary:Grade 7 - £37,694 - £47,389 per annum

Contract Type:Full Time (1FTE), Fixed Term for 24 months

Holiday Entitlement:33 days annual leaveplus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday)

About our Team

We offer a post-doctoral position related to the “Integrated Quantum Networks” (IQN), lead by Heriot-Watt University. As part of the UK Quantum Technology Programme, the hub will develop a multi-platform secure quantum networking. The position, supervised by Prof Cristian Bonato, is related to the application of machine learning and AI to improve the performance of nuclear spin quantum memories.

Detailed Description

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to join our team working at the intersection of artificial intelligence and quantum sensing. The positions will focus on the development and deployment of real-time AI methods for the autonomous optimisation of spin qubits associated to solid-state defects.

We expect the candidate to supervise on-going work on an existing experimental setup, which enables feedback control on timescales one order of magnitude shorter than what available in the literature and has already led to high-quality publications (e.g. https://arxiv.org/abs/2210.06103).

Examples of recent advances from our group include the demonstration of real-time adaptive quantum sensing with NV centres in diamond (see e.g. Phys. Rev. Applied 21, 024026 (2024)) and the development of scalable Bayesian inference techniques for high-dimensional parameter estimation problems relevant to nanoscale magnetic resonance imaging (see e.g. PRX Quantum 7, 020360 (2026)).

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The key tasks of this project are to undertake research in the following areas:

• Implement and demonstrate robust multi-parameter quantum sensing protocols based on reinforcement learning
• Upgrade the existing experimental setup with state-of-the-art quantum control hardware
• Intellectual property protection with a view to develop near and future market applications
• General tasks involve scientific research; analysis and interpretation of data; daily oversight of the activities of postgraduate and undergraduate project students in the laboratory; communication with other investigators involved in this collaborative project; preparation of scientific papers; presentation of research at conferences.

To carry out the research project to a high standard;

1. Meeting planned milestones and deliverables.
2. Reporting progress regularly to supervisors, both verbally and in written reports
3. Keeping clear written records of work done, and storing data in accessible formats according to a system agreed with the project supervisor.

To collaborate with partners within the project and others as appropriate:

1. The post holder will join the Quantum Photonics Laboratory and will be expected to work collaboratively and cooperatively in a team environment; this involves shared use of laboratory equipment (therefore effective communication between group members is essential), and giving periodic presentations to group meetings.
2. Assist the development of student research skills, and be expected to contribute to the assessment of student knowledge in the context of teaching and supervision duties.
3. The post holder will be expected to maintain and develop collaborations with internal and external partners in the field.

Dissemination of results:

1. Attend group and project meetings, communicating progress on a regular basis. Deliver presentations to project collaborators and the wider research community
2. Write high-quality research papers in English for the scientific literature.
3. Disseminate results of research in peer reviewed journals and conferences, and/or other appropriate media.

Other duties

• Understand the intellectual property landscape relevant to the project and seek to protect the methods and techniques developed during the course of the project.
• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research with the assistance of a mentor, if required.
• Build internal contacts and participate in internal networks for the exchange of information and to form relationships for future collaboration. Work with academic colleagues on areas of shared research interest and contribute to collaborative decision making. Join external networks to share information and identify potential sources of funds.
• Contribute, under supervision, to the planning of research projects, including the development of new grant/contract proposals. Make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding and form relationships for future collaboration.
• The ideal candidate will have a strong theoretical understanding and an experimental background in one or more of the following fields: condensed-matter physics, quantum optics, and quantum information science, preferentially with some previous expertise on spin control.
• The successful candidate will be expected to conduct and lead their own experiments whilst also supervising the activities of junior group members and PhD students.
• Responsibilities will also include assistance in the day-to-day maintenance of the experimental facilities, liaising with companies and external collaborators.
• The successful candidate is also expected to be involved in our outreach activities, with roles that can be tuned to the specific preferences of the candidate but will involve for example interviews, talks for the general public and preparation of experimental demonstrators.

Education, Qualifications and Experience

Essential Criteria

• A PhD in physics, electrical engineering or related subjects (or expected to be awarded a PhD soon)
• A sound grasp of optics, quantum mechanics, nuclear magnetic resonance.
• A demonstrated track-record (during a PhD degree or post-doctoral research) of:

1. Construction and operation of optical and/or microwave setups
2. Experience in programming and mathematical modelling
3. Development of physical models to understand experimental data
4. Primary author contributions to peer-reviewed journals

• Experience of programming (C++ or Python or MATLAB) for data acquisition and analysis.
• A record of high quality publications, as appropriate for the stage in career, and evidence of contribution to the writing of these publications proportionate to opportunity.
• Ability to articulate research work, both in technical reports / papers and by oral presentation
• Ability to formulate and progress work on their own initiative
• Evidence of research ability: problem solving, flexibility
• Must be able to work as part of a team on the experiments at Heriot-Watt and more widely with the collaborators at other Universities
• Experience in writing and managing peer-reviewed papers.
• Experience in public presentations of scientific results (e.g. conference talks)

Desirable Criteria

• Good understanding of NMR/EPR techniques
• Good understanding of artificial intelligence (particularly Bayesian experiment design and reinforcement learning)
• Experience in leading the writing of scientific papers.
• Evidence of ability, subject to opportunity, to guide other researchers, e.g. PhD students and undergraduate project students.
• Experience of research-student supervision.
• Capability to be self-directed and think innovatively.
• Energy and enthusiasm for the project.

Heriot-WattUniversity is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised, and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities.Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.

Heriot-WattUniversity values diversity across our university community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/ .

We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options.

Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.