PhD Position: Error Mitigation Strategies for Quantum Chemistry on Noisy Intermediate-scale Quantum Computers

A PhD position within quantum computing focused on developing novel error mitigation strategies tailored towards quantum chemical methods on quantum computers is available at the Department of Physics, Chemistry, and Pharmacy. This position is fully funded by the Danish e-Infrastructure Cooperation (DeIC). Starting date: 15 December 2024, or as soon as possible thereafter. It is a strict requirement that this position is started in the year of 2024. The PhD position can be either 5+3 or 4+4.

Project background
Traditional quantum chemical methods possess well-known limitations concerning both the accuracy and size of the molecular systems to be studied. Methods based on quantum computing are believed to be particularly well suited for simulating quantum systems like molecules and may enable a significant computational speed-up. However, given the existence of conventional numerical methods that have been refined over decades, it is still uncertain if quantum algorithms in practice indeed can provide a genuine quantum advantage over established techniques. A major reason for this uncertainty is related to the lack of effective error mitigation strategies when executing the quantum algorithms on real quantum devices. This PhD project seeks to develop and validate novel error mitigation strategies tailored towards quantum chemical methods both in relation to the calculation of molecular energies, and specifically also in relation to quantum chemistry algorithms designed for molecular property calculations. 

The PhD project is funded by the National Quantum Algorithm Academy (NQAA) under the Danish e-Infrastructure Consortium (DeiC) with the goal of developing quantum algorithms and software. This PhD project will take great advantage of the fundamental quantum chemistry developments from the Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF) funded project “Hybrid Quantum Chemistry on Hybrid Quantum Computers (HQC)2”, which the PI is part of. This PhD project will furthermore benefit from the infrastructure already available to (HQC)2.

Qualifications
To apply for this PhD position, the candidate must hold an MSc in computational chemistry, computational physics, computer science, or a closely related area. Previous and documented experience with method development within either quantum chemistry or quantum computing is considered an advantage.  

At least one of the following additional qualifications is required:
- Experience with the development of quantum computing algorithms for quantum chemistry applications on NISQ quantum computers and/or quantum simulators. 
- Experience with quantum computing software libraries like IBM Qiskit or equivalent.
- Experience in method development within quantum chemistry on conventional/classic hardware.
- Programming experience with Python and/or compiled languages like C++ and Fortran.

The candidate must be able to work independently and must be fluent in English, both oral and written. 

Application deadline: 15 October 2024.

Please see the full call, including how to apply, on www.sdu.dk.