PhD position in Quantum Annealing and Simulation (R1)
Join to apply for the PhD position in Quantum Annealing and Simulation (R1) role at Barcelona Supercomputing Center
PhD position in Quantum Annealing and Simulation (R1)
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Join to apply for the PhD position in Quantum Annealing and Simulation (R1) role at Barcelona Supercomputing Center
Job Reference
496_25_CASE_Q_R1
Position
PhD position in Quantum Annealing and Simulation (R1)
Closing Date
Monday, 15 September, 2025
Reference: 496_25_CASE_Q_R1
Job title: PhD position in Quantum Annealing and Simulation (R1)
About BSC
The Barcelona Supercomputing Center - Centro Nacional de Supercomputación (BSC-CNS) is the leading supercomputing center in Spain. It houses MareNostrum, one of the most powerful supercomputers in Europe, was a founding and hosting member of the former European HPC infrastructure PRACE (Partnership for Advanced Computing in Europe), and is now hosting entity for EuroHPC JU, the Joint Undertaking that leads large-scale investments and HPC provision in Europe. The mission of BSC is to research, develop and manage information technologies in order to facilitate scientific progress. BSC combines HPC service provision and R&D into both computer and computational science (life, earth and engineering sciences) under one roof, and currently has over 1000 staff from 60 countries.
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We are particularly interested for this role in the strengths and lived experiences of women and underrepresented groups to help us avoid perpetuating biases and oversights in science and IT research. In instances of equal merit, the incorporation of the under-represented sex will be favoured.
We promote Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, fostering an environment where each and every one of us is appreciated for who we are, regardless of our differences.
If you consider that you do not meet all the requirements, we encourage you to continue applying for the job offer. We value diversity of experiences and skills, and you could bring unique perspectives to our team.
Context And Mission
At Quantic group, we develop quantum computational techniques, software and algorithmic solutions that require quantum computers or quantum emulators. We exploit all the scientific tools at our disposal, including HPC, quantum processors and hardware, and AI techniques. We currently host a digital quantum computer, and we are in the process of installing a quantum annealer, both based on superconducting circuits technology, installed on-site and integrated with our supercomputer MareNostrum5. Therefore, one of our research lines focuses on quantum-HPC integration and its applications.
We aim to start a new research project that focuses on the development of computational techniques that exploit quantum annealers, adiabatic quantum computers and quantum simulators based on cold atoms, among others. We are part of a big collaboration with other European supercomputing centers to search for synergies and applications of different types of quantum computers and supercomputers. The candidate will develop their PhD on the interface of condensed matter physics, quantum computing, quantum simulation and quantum-HPC integration. They will have the opportunity to propose and develop new ideas and applications that involve the use of different quantum computing platforms. The candidate will also collaborate with other BSC groups' experts in distributed computing and hybrid workflows and will be part of the work to integrate the BSC's quantum computers with supercomputers at the software level.
This PhD position will be supervised by the BSC’s researcher Alba Cervera Lierta in collaboration with the researchers Javier Argüello Luengo (UPC) and Antonio Rubio Abadal (UB), both experts in theoretical and experimental quantum simulation.
Key Duties
* Development of computational tools to exploit quantum annealers, adiabatic quantum computers and quantum simulators.
* Research at the intersection of quantum simulators and quantum annealers.
* Development of quantum-HPC applications.
* Benchmarking different analog and digital quantum computing techniques.
* Collaboration with other European institutions involved in the project.
Requirements
* Education
o Bachelor's in physics, computer science, mathematics, or other related fields.
o MSc in quantum information and technologies, fundamental physics, condensed matter physics, or other related fields.
* Essential Knowledge and Professional Experience
o Python (1-2 years)
o Quantum computing or simulation (1-2 years)
* Additional Knowledge and Professional Experience
o HPC
o Quantum annealing/Adiabatic Quantum Computation
o Quantum simulation
o Condensed Matter Physics
o Quantum Information Sciences beyond quantum computing
o Experience with real quantum computers
o Quantum hardware (theoretical or experimental experience)
* Competences
o Good programming skills
o Good communication and presentation skills
o Capable of teamwork
Conditions
* The position will be located at BSC within the CASE Department
* We offer a full-time contract (37.5h/week), a good working environment, a highly stimulating environment with state-of-the-art infrastructure, flexible working hours, extensive training plan, restaurant tickets, private health insurance
* Duration: predoctoral contract
* Holidays: 23 paid vacation days plus 24th and 31st of December per our collective agreement
* Salary: we offer a competitive salary commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the candidate and according to the cost of living in Barcelona
* Starting date: asap
Applications procedure and process
All applications must be submitted via the BSC website and contain:
* A full CV in English including contact details
* A cover/motivation letter with a statement of interest in English, clearly specifying for which specific area and topics the applicant wishes to be considered. Additionally, two references for further contacts must be included. Applications without this document will not be considered.
Development of the recruitment process
The selection will be carried out through a competitive examination system ("Concurso-Oposición"). The recruitment process consists of two phases:
* Curriculum Analysis: Evaluation of previous experience and/or scientific history, degree, training, and other professional information relevant to the position. - 40 points
* Interview phase: The highest-rated candidates at the curriculum level will be invited to the interview phase, conducted by the corresponding department and Human Resources. In this phase, technical competencies, knowledge, skills, and professional experience related to the position, as well as the required personal competencies, will be evaluated. - 60 points. A minimum of 30 points out of 60 must be obtained to be eligible for the position.
The recruitment panel will be composed of at least three people, ensuring at least 25% representation of women.
In accordance with OTM-R principles, a gender-balanced recruitment panel is formed for each vacancy at the beginning of the process. After reviewing the content of the applications, the panel will begin the interviews, with at least one technical and one administrative interview. At a minimum, a personality questionnaire as well as a technical exercise will be conducted during the process.
The panel will make a final decision, and all individuals who participated in the interview phase will receive feedback with details on the acceptance or rejection of their profile.
At BSC, we seek continuous improvement in our recruitment processes. For any suggestions or comments/complaints about our recruitment processes, please contact recruitment@bsc.es.
For more information, please follow this link.
Deadline
The vacancy will remain open until a suitable candidate has been hired. Applications will be regularly reviewed and potential candidates will be contacted.
OTM-R principles for selection processes
BSC-CNS is committed to the principles of the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers of the European Commission and the Open, Transparent and Merit-based Recruitment principles (OTM-R). This is applied for any potential candidate in all our processes, for example by creating gender-balanced recruitment panels and recognizing career breaks etc.
BSC-CNS is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We are pleased to consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or any other basis protected by applicable state or local law.
For more information follow this link
This position is reserved for candidates who meet the requirements and have the legal status of disabled persons with a degree of disability equal to or greater than 33%. In case there are no applicants with disabilities that meet the requirements, the rest of the candidates without declared disability will be evaluated.
Application Form
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