Postdoctoral Fellowship (03) at Eindhoven University of Technology, Netherlands

The qubit hardware that we operate in our laboratories are two neutral atom quantum computing platforms (rubidium and strontium). Optical tweezer arrays provide programmable and precise control and site-resolved single atom readout. Rydberg excitation enables strong nearest-neighbor coupling for multiqubit entanglement. The architecture is highly scalable to large qubit counts via array reconfiguration, atom shuttling, and parallel control—offering a promising route to fault-tolerant quantum computing. The platforms are built for stable, continuous operation with 24/7 online access for community use. This project is part of the KAT-1 Quantum Delta NL program on Rydberg-atom based hybrid quantum computing and aims to demonstrate a full-stack quantum simulator running which runs variational algorithms for quantum chemistry applications. Our strontium platform “SapphiRe” is a robust setup which contains single strontium atoms reliably loaded in an array of optical tweezers, with excellent single- and multi-qubit control under development. More information: www.tue.nl/rydbergQC.

Concretely, the selected candidate will guide the progress and development on the qubit-hardware side of this project.  The project will specifically focus on implementation of small-scale algorithms demonstrating the platform’s suitability for pulse-based and hybrid Variational Quantum Eigensolver problems and the full-stack connection with our Rydberg Simulation Platform (RySP)—the digital twin and software control unit of our atomic tweezer testbeds—which also underpins the Ry emulator backend already available on Quantum Inspire. Schemes for multi-qubit entanglement and error corrections will be investigated in collaboration with the theory team and possible industry collaborators.

The selected candidate will work together with several PhD candidates (other vacancies available here and here), fellow postdocs/quantum engineers , MSc students and the PIs  within the CQT research group. Moreover they will collaborate with the ultracold strontium lab at the UvA in Amsterdam and other partners within the Center for Quantum Materials and Technology (QT/e).

In the SymBi project (Exploiting Symmetries for Faster Bilevel Optimization Algorithms), we address this limitation by developing a general mathematical theory of symmetries in BP and efficient algorithms for symmetry detection and exploitation. While the related field of mixed-integer programming (MIP) primarily uses symmetries to eliminate redundant parts of the solution space, SymBi goes further: it aims to enhance other components of BP solvers, such as cutting planes, to achieve a stronger coupling between leader and follower decisions.

We are seeking for a motivated and enthusiastic Postdoc (PD) researcher to join the Combinatorial Optimization group (https://www.tue.nl/en/research/research-groups/mathematics/statistics-probability-and-operations-research/combinatorial-optimization-1) under the supervision of dr. Christopher Hojny, assistant professor. The research activities of the PD will include

• defining a mathematically sound notion of symmetries for bilevel optimization problems,
• developing a novel theory for exploiting symmetries that is tailored for bilevel optimization problems, and
• implementing and testing the developed algorithms for solving benchmark problems.

Next to the research tasks, the PD will be asked to assist, for a small percentage of their time, with educational tasks (course support and supervision of students).

Direct reduced iron (DRI) using hydrogen has been extensively investigated as the most promising green ironmaking method, driving by both applications of Iron Power (using iron powder as energy carrier) and decarbonization of steel industry. Despite extensive research, the commercialization of this technology is still hampered by knowledge gaps in fundamental understanding of the micron-sized cohesive particle behavior in reactive multiphase flows at scales. In this project, we will combine the state-of-the-art experimental diagnostics with advanced CFD modelling to:

• Experimentally characterize the sticking and sintering behavior of iron (oxide) powders at elevated temperatures
• Link particle-scale phenomena to large-scale process dynamics in fluidized and spouted beds.

With this integrated approach, we aim to deliver a robust foundation for improved process design and industrial-scale optimization. In collaboration with a PhD at TUHH focusing on experimental characterization, this PD at TU/e will work on development and application of advanced numerical modelling, including both coupled CFD-DEM and TFM. Focus is on coupled CFD-DEM, which has been established in previous research projects of Prof. Tang.