Funding

Funded (UK/EU and international students)

Project code

SMAP6240521

Department

School of Mathematics and Physics

Start dates

October 2021

Application deadline

4 May 2021 (12.00pm GMT)

Applications are invited for a fully-funded three year PhD to commence in October 2021.

The PhD will be based in the School of Mathematics and Physics and will be supervised by Dr Vincenzo Tamma and Professor Paolo Facchi at the University of Bari, Italy.

Candidates applying for this project may be eligible to compete for one of a small number of bursaries available; these cover tuition fees at the UK rate for three years and a stipend in line with the UKRI rate (£15,609 for 2021/22). Bursary recipients will also receive a £1,500 p.a. for project costs/consumables. 

The work on this project aims at:

  • Developing ambitious multi-disciplinary research in multi-photon quantum information processing and sensing based on the diversified expertise among the research team across and our external partners and collaborators across the university.
  • Becoming an expert in multi-photon quantum technologies enabling excellent future employment opportunities.
  • Boosting collaborative work in these areas with our QSTH industry/government partners and particularly IBM, DSTL, NPL and the Quantum Technology Enterprise Centre (QTEC) at the University of Bristol as well as impact cases for quantum technologies.

The overall field of quantum information science has reached an enormous progress establishing a quantum era where practical applications ranging from information security and finance to quantum chemistry, quantum sensing and pharmaceutical industry are already within reach. 

This program aims to introduce novel protocols for quantum information processing and high-precision quantum sensing based on the use of multiphoton networks with scalable photonic quantum resources (e.g. squeezed light and photon number sources) with the potential to immediately impact the development of quantum technologies beyond any classical capability on an industrial scale. 

The PhD student will benefit from the experience of the supervisory team in quantum information processing and from the international and interdisciplinary environment within Quantum Science and Technology Hub at the university of Portsmouth, including a highly interactive research group in quantum technologies and quantum optics and the established successful collaboration with the group of Prof. Facchi at the University of Bari. She/he will be also benefit of the expertise of prominent scientists and collaborators in research areas related with the project at the interface between quantum optics, quantum metrology, and quantum information. In particular, she/he will also interact with leading international experimental groups in Europe, US and South America collaborating with the research team toward the experimental realization of the theoretical results foreseen in the project.

Entry requirements

You'll need a good first degree from an internationally recognised university (minimum upper second class or equivalent, depending on your chosen course) or a Master’s degree in an appropriate subject. In exceptional cases, we may consider equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications. English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

Highly talented and ambitious UK/EU graduates with an excellent Master’s degree in Physics with strong interest in quantum optics, quantum information, and quantum technologies.

How to apply

We’d encourage you to contact Dr Vincenzo Tamma  (Vincenzo.tamma@port.ac.uk) to discuss your interest before you apply, quoting the project code.

When you are ready to apply, you can use our online application form. Make sure you submit a personal statement, proof of your degrees and grades, details of two referees, proof of your English language proficiency and an up-to-date CV.  Our ‘How to Apply’ page offers further guidance on the PhD application process.

If you want to be considered for this funded PhD opportunity you must quote project code SMAP6240521 when applying.