PDRA in Theoretical Quantum Science (840175)
Salary: £37,694 - £46,049
FTE: 1 (35 hours/week)
Contract Type: Fixed Term (36 months)
Closing Date: 21/10/26
The Department of Physics is recruiting a Research Associate in Theoretical Physics to work with Dr Pablo Poggi on the Royal Society University Research Fellowship project "Controlling quantum chaos for near-term quantum technologies". This ambitious long-term research programme explores the frontier between quantum chaos, quantum control, and quantum technologies, seeking to understand how complex quantum dynamics can be characterised, manipulated, and harnessed for emerging quantum applications. The successful candidate will join the newly established Quantum Control & Complexity Group at the University of Strathclyde and contribute to a growing and collaborative research programme in quantum science. The role offers excellent opportunities for professional and career development through mentoring and close collaboration with Dr Poggi, training opportunities offered by the University, and engagement with a broad and diverse network of researchers from the UK and around the world.
The project will investigate fundamental questions at the intersection of quantum information science, many-body physics, and dynamical systems theory. Research directions may include the study and control of operator growth and information scrambling in interacting quantum systems, the characterisation of sensitivity to perturbations in near-term quantum simulators, the generation and manipulation of highly non-classical collective quantum states using quantum optimal control methods, and the analysis of the interplay between measurement, feedback, and long-range multi-body interactions in complex quantum dynamics. The research programme will explore these topics at a fundamental level while also investigating their applications in near-term quantum technologies, particularly neutral-atom-based quantum processors.
The work will combine analytical and numerical approaches and may involve collaborations with national and international partners across quantum science and technology, spanning both theory and experiment. As a Research Associate, under the general guidance of Dr. Poggi, you will develop research objectives and proposals, play a leading role in relation to specific projects or part of a broader project, conduct individual and/or collaborative research, contribute to the development of new research methods, identify funding opportunities and contribute to the preparation of collaborative funding applications, including drafting grant proposals and planning for future proposals. You will write up research work for publication, individually or in collaboration with colleagues, and disseminate the results via peer reviewed journal publications and presentation at conferences. You will engage with external research communities to share information and ideas, develop collaborations, and contribute to the wider quantum science community. You will supervise student projects, provide advice to students and contribute to teaching as required by, for example, running tutorials and supervising practical work.
Applicants should have a PhD in theoretical physics or a closely related discipline, and experience with theoretical and computational methods applied to quantum systems. You will have an ability to plan and organise your workload effectively, while working constructively and inclusively within a team environment. You will have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to listen, engage, collaborate and communicate complex information to a range of audiences. A background in one or more of quantum information, quantum many-body physics, atomic molecular and optical physics, condensed matter theory, or classical and quantum chaos would be advantageous.
Experience with modern numerical techniques such as tensor networks, computational many-body methods, or quantum computing frameworks is desirable but not essential.
Initial interviews have been scheduled for November 2026.
For informal enquiries, please contact Pablo Poggi, Research Fellow at pablo.poggi@strath.ac.uk
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