PhD in Quantum Control Theory for Quantum Algorithms

The Department of Electronic Systems at The Technical Faculty of IT and Design invites applications for a 3-year PhD stipend in

the field of quantum control theory for quantum algorithms within the general study programme Electronical and Electronic

Engineering, as per January 1st 2027, or soon hereafter. In electronic engineering, Aalborg University is known worldwide for its

high academic quality and societal impact. The Department of Electronic Systems employs more than 200 people, of which about 90

are PhD students, and about 40 % of all employees are internationals. In total, it has more than 600 students in its BSc and MSc

programs, which are based on AAU's problem-based learning model. The department leverages its unique research infrastructure and

lab facilities to conduct world-leading fundamental and applied research within communication, networks, control systems, AI,

sound, cyber security, and robotics. The department plays an active role in transferring inventions and results into applications

in close collaboration with industrial partners worldwide. You can read more about the department at www.es.aau.dk. Your work

tasks The position is part of the research project QUANTA – Quantum Control Theory for Quantum Algorithms, funded by the

Independent Research Fund Denmark. Real quantum computers are open quantum systems: noise and decoherence act on the computation

while it runs, so the idealised picture of a sequence of perfect unitary gates acting on an isolated system does not hold in

practice. QUANTA therefore regards a quantum program as an open dynamical system, described by Kraus operators in discrete time

and by the controlled Lindblad master equation in continuous time, and treats the choice of quantum gates as control decisions.

The aim is to use control theory to design quantum algorithms, in particular optimisation algorithms, that are robust to noise and

disturbances. As a PhD student you will work mainly on two parts of the project. The first concerns reach-avoidance for quantum

systems: computing the probability that a quantum process reaches a target set of states before it enters a set of forbidden

states, and designing control strategies, for example by dynamic programming, that steer the computation towards its goal while

respecting such constraints. You will develop this theory for quantum Markov chains described by Kraus operators and for

continuous-time systems described by the Lindblad master equation. The second part applies these results to quantum optimisation.

You will develop algorithms in which an optimisation problem, starting with semidefinite programming and continuing with bilinear

and polynomial problems, is solved by a quantum system regarded as a control system, including constrained problems formulated as

reach-avoidance. You will analyse how the resulting quantum circuits scale with the problem size and test the algorithms on a real

quantum computer. You will work closely with the principal investigator, a postdoctoral researcher on the project and the

project's international collaborators, and the project includes research stays at partner institutions abroad. You will present

your results at international conferences and in scientific journals, and they will form the basis of your PhD thesis. As part of

the PhD programme you will follow PhD courses and take part in teaching and supervision of student projects at the department.

Your competencies You hold a Master's degree in control engineering, electrical engineering, applied mathematics, physics,

computer science or a related field. We are looking for a candidate with a solid mathematical background, for example in linear

algebra, dynamical systems, control theory, optimisation or probability theory, and with a genuine interest in quantum computing.

Knowledge of quantum mechanics or quantum information is an advantage, but not a requirement – what matters is that you are

motivated to learn it during the project. Programming experience, for example in Python, is also an advantage. We value curiosity,

the ability to work independently and the willingness to share ideas and help colleagues. You communicate well in English, both

orally and in writing. Qualification requirements PhD stipends are allocated to individuals who hold a Master's degree. PhD

stipends are normally for a period of 3 years. It is a prerequisite for allocation of the stipend that the candidate will be

enrolled as a PhD student at the Technical Doctoral School of IT and Design in accordance with the regulations of Ministerial

Order No. 872 of 6 October 2026 on the PhD Programme at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions.

According to the Ministerial Order, the progress of the PhD student shall be assessed at regular points in time. As part of the

PhD study, you are among other things required to complete PhD courses corresponding to 30 ECTS, gain experience with teaching or

other forms of knowledge dissemination and complete an external research stay outside of Aalborg University, preferably 3-6 months

at a foreign research institution. Who we are    The position is hosted by the Learning and Decisions Lab at the Department of

Electronic Systems, Aalborg University, led by Professor Rafal Wisniewski. The lab develops theory and algorithms at the

intersection of control theory, stochastic systems, optimisation and quantum computing, including stability and safety of

stochastic and quantum systems and feedback control of quantum hardware. You will join a team of senior researchers, PhD students

and postdoctoral fellows working on related problems, in an informal and international environment with weekly meetings and close

day-to-day supervision How to apply Your application must include the following:

• Application, stating reasons for applying and

qualifications in relation to the position - Curriculum Vitae (CV) - Diplomas (bachelor's and master's degree diploma, including

grades) - Other relevant documents The application must be submitted via Aalborg University’s recruitment system, which can be

accessed under the job advertisement on Aalborg University's website. Aalborg University wants to reflect the surrounding society

and has diversity as a core value. Therefore, everyone, regardless of personal background and orientation, is encouraged to apply

for the position. Do you have any questions?     If you have any questions about the position, you are more than welcome to

contact us. You will find contact persons at the bottom of the jobpost. Further information  Read more about our recruitment

process here. The assessment of candidates for the position will be carried out by qualified experts. Shortlisting will be

applied. This means that after the application deadline, the head of the department, with the assistance of the hiring committee,

will select the applicants to be assessed. All applicants will be informed whether they have been shortlisted for assessment or

not. The hiring process at Aalborg University may include a risk assessment as a tool to identify potential risks associated with

new hires, ensuring the safety, compliance, and integrity of the workplace. Read more about The Technical Doctoral School of IT

and Design Salary and terms of employment The employment is in accordance with the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of

Academic Staff at Universities and the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities. Furthermore, your

terms of employment and salary are in accordance with the collective agreement between the Danish Confederation of Professional

Associations and the state (AC collective agreement). You can find information about the salary and salary structure for the

position in the Salary Overview for Recruitment - Scientific positions (VIP). Please refer to the introductory section of the page

and the section entitled “PhD Fellow”.