QuNEST Doctoral candidate (DC2) on Development of modulation and shaping for QKD

at  TU Eindhoven

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Information and Communication Theory Lab (ICT lab) is currently seeking to recruit, starting in February 2024 1 Doctoral candidate/Research Associate (m/f/d) working on Modulation and Error Correcting Codes for quantum key distribution applications within the framework of the European Doctoral Training Network “QuNEST” (QuNEST Doctoral Candidate 2).

RESEARCH PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION

“QuNEST– Quantum Enhanced Optical Communication Network Security Doctoral Training” is hiring 11 Doctorate Candidates to be funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks. QuNEST is a highly interdisciplinary and intersectoral Doctoral Network composed of leading academic and industrial partners. The consortium consists of six academic institutions, namely: Eindhoven University of Technology (Coordinator), Technical University of Denmark, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, University of L’Aquila, University of Warsaw and University of Geneva as well as the companies: ADVA Network Security, Exatel, IDQuantique, Infinera Germany, KEEQuant (SME), NKT Photonics, Nokia Bell Labs France, Telecom Italia Mobile, Quantum Optical Technologies (SME), Quantum Telecommunications Italy and VPIphotonics and involves seven different European countries. The diverse consortium provides a unique and timely opportunity to train students in quantum physics and optical communications.
The driving force for QuNEST - is to provide high-level and highly collaborative training to 11 highly achieving Doctoral Candidates. This Doctoral Network is a highly multi-disciplinary, spanning areas of quantum physics, simulations, photonics, optical transmission, Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) protocols, implementation security, error correction algorithms, digital signal processing, networks and control, requiring cross-disciplinary and intersectoral training targeted at creating experts in this emerging multidisciplinary field. The QuNEST Doctoral Candidates will be trained by doing research, in which they will demonstrate the potential of combining quantum and classical optical data signals in a single fiber with the aim to develop ground-breaking and commercially attractive, short-to-medium term solutions targeting European industry leadership in this highly challenging sector. QuNEST will train much-needed future scientists and engineers who will design, build, deploy and operate the next generation quantum secured optical communications infrastructure.
The Doctoral Network program is designed to follow technical, scientific, and transferable skills, enabling the next generation of young researchers/engineers with excellent skills in understanding the challenges of quantum secure optical communications. All Doctoral Candidates will carry out secondments and placements with industrial partners at the earliest possible opportunity. Transferable skills and technical workshops from industrial partners will be central to the training of the Doctoral Candidate.

JOB DESCRIPTION

• Project title: Development and analysis of modulation and shaping schemes for quantum key distribution protocols
• Host institution: Eindhoven University of Technology
• PhD enrolment: Eindhoven University of Technology
• Supervisors: Alex Alvarado, Gabriele Liga, (Eindhoven University of Technology), Laurent Schmalen (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology). Mentor: Antonio Napoli (Infinera).
• Research Objectives: To design modulation formats and error correction protocols for QKD schemes. The doctoral candidate will jointly design the protocol and the high-order (shaped) modulation format for practical settings. Information-theoretic security of QKD with such finite-cardinality constellations for the specific error correction protocol under consideration will be analysed. The susceptibility of the proposed techniques and constellations to finite-size effects resulting from a finite number of communication attempts will be investigated. The final goals are to increase the state-of-the-art secret key rates and transmission distances in practical QKD settings. The doctoral candidate will tailor the proposed protocol and modulation format to the state-of-the-art error correction codes.
• Expected Results: Error correction protocol for QKD schemes with shaped modulation formats designed to maximize secret key rates and transmission distances. Experimental assessment of the protocol in conjunction with industrial partner. Extension of the techniques with advanced channel code designs.
• Secondments: Secondment periods are planned at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Nokia Bell Labs France and University of Aquila.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• A master’s degree (or an equivalent university degree) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Strong background in digital signal processing, communication theory, and coding theory.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as MATLAB, Python, or C/C++.
• Strong motivation to deliver groundbreaking work and ambition to excel.
• A research-oriented attitude.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team and interested in collaborating with industrial partners.
• Motivated to develop your teaching skills and coach students.
• Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level).
  Please note: Each project requires a different mix of skills and attitude. Please use the TU/e PhD Competence Profile to determine which competences you find most important and want to mention as a job requirement (aside from the aspects mentioned above).

ELIGIBILITY AND MOBILITY CRITERIA (MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS EU RULES)

• The recruited researchers must be doctoral candidates, i.e. not already in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of the recruitment.
• The recruited researchers must be employed full-time, unless the granting authority has approved a part-time employment for personal or family reasons
• The recruited researchers must be working exclusively for the project
• Recruited researchers can be of any nationality and must comply with the following mobility rule: they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date - unless as part of a compulsory national service or a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention

Please refer the Job description for details