Postdoc – Hybrid Quantum Computing for Earth Observation

Organisation/Company: Forschungszentrum Jülich

Research Field: All

Researcher Profile: Recognised Researcher (R2), Established Researcher (R3)

Country: Germany

Application Deadline: 19 Jan 2038 - 03:14 (UTC)

Type of Contract: To be defined

Job Status: Other

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Area of research: Scientific / postdoctoral posts

Your Job:

Quantum computing holds immense economic potential and societal impact, already showing unprecedented capabilities in tasks like prime factorization and decryption. It could also disrupt geosciences and remote sensing, particularly for Earth Observation (EO) applications in quantum machine learning and optimization. These advances are key for speeding up data processing, analysis, and integration into models, which are critical for future digital twin systems and for pursuing sustainable development goals such as climate action.

Your main tasks will be:

• Developing and implementing hybrid quantum-classical algorithms on HPC systems to address current limitations of quantum devices, contributing to the definition of requirements for practical and impactful quantum computing.
• Adapting these algorithms for Earth Observation (EO) use cases to test and benchmark the latest quantum technologies.
• Enhancing JUNIQ’s user platform by integrating quantum computers into JSC’s Modular Supercomputer.
• Designing and delivering training programs for quantum computing users.
• Contributing to educational events, such as courses and hackathons, for users with multidisciplinary research backgrounds.
• Collaborating with project partners from academia and industry.
• Presenting research outcomes to stakeholders and the wider research community through meetings, conferences, and publications in high-impact journals.

Your Profile:

• Master’s degree and PhD in quantum physics, computer science, electrical engineering, mathematics, or a related field.
• Experience in applying quantum machine learning and optimization algorithms for problems in data science.
• Experience in quantum computer programming.
• Strong knowledge of AI, applied Machine Learning, Deep Learning workflows, and commonly used software libraries.
• A strong interest in applying your data science expertise to satellite data.
• Interest and/or experience in developing and delivering lectures or training sessions in applied quantum computing.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English.
• Strong cooperation and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively as part of a scientific team in an international and interdisciplinary setting.

Our Offer:

We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the opportunity to actively help in shaping change! Here is what Forschungszentrum Jülich can offer you:

• Outstanding scientific and technical infrastructure.
• Highly motivated researchers as well as an international and interdisciplinary working environment at one of Europe’s largest research establishments.
• Access to advanced supercomputers, in particular Modular Supercomputing Architecture (MSA) environments.
• Chance of participation in (international) top conferences in the field of QC, ML, HPC and remote sensing.
• Flexible working hours in a full-time position (39 hours/week) with the option of slightly reduced working hours.
• 30 days of annual leave and provision for days off between public holidays and weekends (e.g. between Christmas and New Year).

In addition to exciting tasks and a collaborative working atmosphere at Jülich, we have a lot more to offer: go.fzj.de/benefits.

You will be employed for a fixed term of 2 years. Salary and social security benefits will conform to the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund), pay group 13, depending on your current qualifications and the precise nature of the tasks assigned to you.

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation/identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us.

This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's largest scientific organisation.

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