03 Postdoctoral Fellowship at University of Sussex, East Sussex, United Kingdom

Trapped ions are one of the most mature implementations to deliver practical quantum technologies. We have developed a unique approach for trapped-ion quantum computing that enables scaling to a large number of qubits. The approach couples scalable global microwave based quantum gate technology with fully integrated quantum computing microchip modules that can be linked together using fast electric field links. This position is part of a larger effort to develop and operate quantum computing solutions which scale to significantly larger system sizes. We currently operate 5 quantum computer prototypes in our lab and the position will focus on one or multiple of these experimental setups directed towards the implementation of quantum error correction, ion transport and quantum gate execution, raising gate fidelities, operation of multi-module quantum computing prototypes and the development of quantum computing microchips. Some of the typical tasks for this position include operation of ion trap experiments, high power microwave setups, laser systems, optical setups and ultra-high vacuum setups as well as carrying out quantum information science experiments, quantum error correction, perform simulations of quantum systems, quantum control and other relevant theory and supervise undergraduate and postgraduate students.

This is an exciting opportunity to find out how cells in the brain’s white matter are affected by low brain blood flow, to understand the development of dementia. White matter damage is increasingly common as people age, correlates with cognitive impairment and is associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease, stroke and death. This damage is thought to be a consequence of cerebral hypoperfusion and hypoxia. You will use in vivo 2 photon imaging of calcium signals and blood vessels in different cells in the white matter of awake mice to understand white matter physiology and how this is perturbed during low brain blood flow. Alongside this, you will measure brain blood flow, oxygenation and metabolism, to understand how changes in cell physiology relate to white matter energy supply. You will work with mice, design and conduct imaging experiments and complex analyses, and present your work in a variety of formats, including writing up your results for publication in peer-reviewed journals. You will be educated to doctoral level in neuroscience or a closely-related discipline, with relevant experience in some aspects of the project.

We are delighted to offer a full-time research fellowship with the Ion Trap Cavity-QED and Molecular Physics (ITCM) group at the University of Sussex, led by Professor Matthias Keller. Join our team and you will be part of an Innovate UK-funded consortium working on quantum industrial projects. Our specific research project is CIFS – Calcium Ion Frequency Standard, which aims to commercialise a portable atomic clock system being developed at the University of Sussex.  Our consortium brings together leading companies from the quantum technology, telecommunication and defence sectors, such as TMD, Chronos, Leonardo, Covesion and BT. Our objective is to build a miniaturized portable optical atomic clock based on a single calcium ion, with an accuracy at the 10^-15 level or better. The final system must be able to operate outside a laboratory environment and must be suitable for production by standard industrial processes. At ITCM, we have developed a rugged and compact spectroscopy unit, based on an all-fibre-coupled ion trap, an ultra-compact laser module providing all the necessary lasers to run the ion trap and the electronic control boards governing the autonomous operation of the system, in addition to an ultra-stable clock laser unit. All subsystems are based on fibre-integrated designs to ensure robust and maintenance-free operation, while retaining a compact size.