Postdoc in Control of Open Quantum Systems and Quantum Optimisation

The Department of Electronic Systems at The Technical Faculty of IT and Design invites applications for a postdoc in the field of

quantum control theory for quantum algorithms as per January 1st 2027. The position is available for a period of 32 months. 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. Your main responsibility

will be the stability theory of open quantum systems. You will develop stability criteria based on Lyapunov functions,

supermartingales and Markov operators for systems described by the Lindblad master equation and by Kraus operators. You will

develop Morse theory and a LaSalle invariance principle on this space and study quantum Koopman and Frobenius–Perron operators.

You will also contribute, together with a PhD student on the project, to the work on reach-avoidance of quantum systems and on

quantum optimisation: using stability results to analyse the convergence of control-based quantum optimisation algorithms,

developing algorithms for semidefinite programming and bilinear problems, and verifying them on a real quantum computer. You will

help co-supervise master's students, publish in leading journals and conferences in control and quantum engineering, and have the

opportunity for research stays at the project's partner institutions abroad.    Your competencies You hold a PhD in control

engineering, applied mathematics, physics, electrical engineering or a related field. We are looking for a colleague with a strong

mathematical background in one or more of the following areas: stability theory of nonlinear or stochastic systems, quantum

control or open quantum systems, and optimisation. A publication record that shows your ability to develop rigorous theory is

important. Experience with quantum information or quantum algorithms is an advantage, as is programming experience. Above all, we

want someone who is motivated to bridge control theory and quantum computing, enjoys working with others, and wants to contribute

to the supervision of younger researchers. You communicate well in English, both orally and in writing. Qualification requirements

Appointment as postdoc requires academic qualifications at PhD level. 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. Qualification requirements Appointment as postdoc requires academic

qualifications at PhD level. How to apply  Your application must include the following:

• Application, stating reasons for

applying, qualifications in relation to the position, and intentions and visions for the position - Curriculum Vitae (CV) -

Diplomas (master's degree diploma and PhD diploma) - List of publications, with an indication of the attached publications that

you wish to be taken into account in the assessment. You may attach a maximum of five publications. - Documentation of teaching

qualifications if relevant. - Dissemination qualifications, including participation on committees or boards, participation in

organisations etc. - Additional qualifications in relation to the position - References/recommendations You can read more about

the requirements for your application here.    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.  Aalborg University has a policy of parallel language use. International staff are

encouraged, with support from the university, to learn Danish during their employment in order to support their integration into

the workplace and Danish society. 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 appointment process at Aalborg University involves a shortlisting process. You can read more about

the shortlisting and appointment process here.  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.  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) and protocol on certain terms of employment of academic staff at universities. 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 “Postdoc”.