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”.