An experimental Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) position based at the National Physical Laboratory is available via the EPSRC’s Quantum Communications Hub. The successful candidate will officially be employed by the University of York.

The importance of quantum random number generators (QRNGs) is widely acknowledged — as component level devices to be incorporated into small systems such as mobile phones, for authentication purposes e.g. in IoT, and as essential components in quantum communication systems.

Common protocols used by QRNGs rely on a detailed model of the device and whether that model is accurate can affect security. For next-generation device-independent (DI) QRNGs the aim is that the device confirms that it is working sufficiently well during the protocol itself. This circumvents the need for detailed device models, allowing increased confidence in the output randomness. However, there is an associated cost in that building devices able to run such a protocol requires shared entanglement which is a fragile resource.

The position will involve studying the best practical ways to perform device-independent protocols. The successful candidate will report on the optimal ways to generate and share entanglement and violate Bell inequalities with minimal loopholes, develop and set-up the chosen source (or sources), optimize the non-locality and then set-up and run a DI-QRNG protocol.

This work will be based at the National Physical Laboratory in Teddington, London in the Quantum Photonics team under the supervision of Christopher Chunnilall. It is part of a collaboration between the University of York and NPL, and will require close interaction with the theoretical team of Roger Colbeck at the University of York in order that the ideas developed there are put into practice.

This is a full-time position on a fixed term contract. The start date is 1st November 2022 or as soon as possible thereafter, and the end date is 30 November 2024.

Informal inquiries can be made to Christopher Chunnilall (christopher.chunnilall@npl.co.uk) or Roger Colbeck (roger.colbeck@york.ac.uk).

The University of York strives to be diverse and inclusive  – a place where we can ALL be ourselves

Applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University, are particularly encouraged. 

For more information and to apply, visit The University of York HR site.