Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Quantum Machine Learning for Multimode Mechanics

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences; Oslo; On-site; NOK 595,000 - 690,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary NOK 595,000–690,000

Pension scheme

Support for international conferences

Career development programs

Job summary

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at UiO invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Quantum Machine Learning for Multimode Mechanics (QM3L / QuantERA 2025). The three‑year position is hosted by the Department of Physics in Oslo and collaborates with ETH Zürich, Aalto University, TU Darmstadt, and Palacký University.

The postdoc will develop ML‑assisted methods for Hamiltonian discovery and control in multimode quantum systems, and contribute to open‑source software,

Qualifications

• A Norwegian doctoral degree in physics or a closely related area, or a degree submitted for evaluation by the application date.
• Strong background in at least two of: quantum optics/quantum information/open quantum systems; quantum control/optimal control; machine learning (including deep learning and/or reinforcement learning); numerical simulation of quantum dynamics.

Responsibilities

• Develop ML‑assisted Hamiltonian discovery/engineering methods for multimode bosonic and hybrid quantum systems (including open‑system and non‑Hermitian effects).
• Design noise‑resilient control and optimization strategies, including reinforcement learning and optimal control for state preparation and measurement protocol design under hardware constraints.
• Develop open‑source software and documented benchmarks.
• Co‑author high‑quality publications and contribute to consortium deliverables and reporting; participate in partner visits, workshops, and training activities.

Skills

Python/Julia/C++

Quantum optics / quantum information

Machine learning / RL

Numerical simulation

Education

Doctoral degree in physics / applied mathematics / computer science

Tools

Python

Julia

C++

Job description

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Quantum Machine Learning for Multimode Mechanics (QM3L / QuantERA 2025)

A three‑year position at the Department of Physics.

Supervisors: Prof. Francesco Massel and Prof. Morten Hjorth‑Jensen.

Starting date no later than January 1, 2027.

Project Description and Work Tasks

This postdoctoral position is part of the QuantERA project “QM3L – Quantum protocols for Multimode Mechanics advanced by Machine Learning”, a European consortium combining theory, algorithms, and experiments on multimode mechanical quantum platforms.

The postdoc will work at UiO focusing on theoretical and algorithmic developments that enable machine‑learning‑assisted discovery, control, and certification of complex multimode quantum states. The work will interface closely with experimental partners (ETH Zürich, Aalto University) and theory partners (TU Darmstadt, Palacký University).

• Develop ML‑assisted Hamiltonian discovery/engineering methods for multimode bosonic and hybrid quantum systems (including open‑system and non‑Hermitian effects).
• Design noise‑resilient control and optimization strategies, including reinforcement learning (RL) and optimal control approaches for state preparation and measurement protocol design under hardware constraints.
• Develop open‑source software and documented benchmarks.
• Co‑author high‑quality publications and contribute to consortium deliverables and reporting; participate in partner visits, workshops, and training activities.

The main purpose of the postdoctoral fellowship is to provide candidates with enhanced skills to pursue a scientific top position within or beyond academia. All postdoctoral research fellows are required to submit a professional development plan no later than one month after commencement of the postdoctoral period.

Required Qualifications

• A degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in physics, applied mathematics, computer science, or a closely related area. If the degree is not yet formally received, the doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the application date. Only applicants with an approved doctoral thesis and public defence are eligible for appointment.
• Strong background in at least two of the following:
  • Quantum optics / quantum information / open quantum systems
  • Quantum control / optimal control
  • Machine learning (including deep learning and/or reinforcement learning)
  • Numerical simulation of quantum dynamics
• Proven programming skills (e.g., Python/Julia/C++), including experience with scientific computing tools.
• Ability to communicate research results clearly in written and oral English.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with reinforcement learning for physical control problems and/or sample‑efficient optimization.
• Familiarity with continuous‑variable/bosonic systems, non‑Gaussian states, multimode entanglement, or Wigner‑function methods.
• Experience with HPC workflows (cluster computing, GPU computing, reproducible pipelines).
• Track record of collaborative work across theory/experiment or interdisciplinary teams.

Personal Skills

• Strong collaboration skills and willingness to work in an international consortium with frequent interactions across sites and disciplines.
• Ability to mentor students (informally or formally) and contribute to an inclusive working environment.

Benefits

• Exciting and meaningful tasks in an organization with an important societal mission, contributing to knowledge development, education, and enlightenment that promote sustainable, fair, and knowledge‑based societal development.
• Committed colleagues in a good working environment.
• Good welfare schemes.
• Opportunity of up to 1.5 hours a week of exercise during working hours.
• A workplace with good development and career opportunities.
• Postdoctoral development programmes.
• Membership in the Statens Pensjonskasse, which is one of Norway’s best pension schemes with beneficial mortgages and good insurance schemes.
• Salary in position as Postdoctoral Fellow, position code 1352 in salary range NOK 595 000 – 690 000, depending on competence and experience. From the salary, 2 percent is deducted in statutory contributions to the State Pension Fund.

Equal Opportunity and Diversity

UiO is an open and internationally oriented comprehensive university that strives to be an inclusive and diverse workplace and academic environment. We especially encourage women to apply. Relevant adjustments may include modifications to working hours, task adaptations, digital, technical, or physical adjustments, or other practical measures. We encourage applicants with immigrant backgrounds, disabilities, or CV gaps to indicate this in the application portal. We invite at least one qualified candidate from each group for an interview.

We hope you will apply for the position with us.