Position Description

Centre for Quantum Mathematics (QM) at Department of Mathematics and Computer Science (IMADA), University of Southern Denmark (SDU) invites applications for several 2-3 year postdoc positions in quantum algorithms. The targeted starting date is 1 September 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Project description
This project will explore the algorithms, advantages, and applications of quantum computing with the aim of making it a practical computational tool in the near term. The project will focus on Gaussian Boson Sampling (GBS), which is a specialized photonic quantum computing model with demonstrated experimental realizations and proven theoretical advantages. The project may involve several aspects, including mathematical theory, algorithm development, error correction, adaptation of GBS-based algorithms to other quantum computing platforms, and the development of practical use cases with real-world relevance. We seek candidates with a strong interest in working on these aspects or a subset thereof.
The project will be jointly supervised by Professor Jørgen Ellegaard Andersen and Associate Professor Shan Shan at QM.

Candidate profile
We encourage applications from PhDs in mathematics and related fields who possess a strong research record. We are particularly interested in candidates whose expertise aligns with the project's focus on Gaussian Boson Sampling (GBS). Exceptional candidates from (pure or applied) mathematics, computer science, and theoretical physics are also strongly encouraged to apply, even without prior specific experience in GBS or quantum computing.

Research environment
The project will be carried out within the Centre for Quantum Mathematics (QM). QM is located at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Faculty of Natural Sciences on the international campus of University of Southern Denmark in Odense, Denmark. QM is established with the ambition to create a highly international and interdisciplinary group within a broad spectrum of mathematics with relations to quantum theory, covering both foundations as well as various applications such as quantum computing and quantum software. Odense is a fast-growing international community with affordable housing and living costs. For more information on the QM centre, please visit https://www.sdu.dk/en/qm.   

Contact information - Questions should be directed to (qm@sdu.dk).
Application deadline: 1 August 2025 at 23:59 hours local Danish time

Application, salary etc.
The successful applicant will be employed in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). Please check links for more information on salary (only available in Danish) and taxation. Information of salary rates can be found at: https://www.sdu.dk/en/om-sdu/job-sdu/international-staff/working-in-denmark. For non-Danish candidates there is an optional researcher taxation scheme (see the link above).

The application including the required attachments must be in English.

Application checklist:

• Detailed Curriculum Vitae including a list of publications
• Certificates/Diplomas (PhD) - Danish or English
• Research Statement (max 2 pages)
• 1 research paper that best exemplifies your work
• 2-3 letters of recommendation: Letters of recommendation should be submitted directly to qm@sdu.dk mentioning your name and the title of the position in the subject line. Please note we are not permitted to directly contact your academic references under any circumstances, so please ensure their letters have reached us by the deadline.  

Shortlisting may be used in the assessment process. Shortlisted applicants will be assessed by an assessment committee. Applicants will be informed of their assessment by the faculty. As part of the overall assessment, the applicant may be called for interview.Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will neither be considered nor evaluated.

To qualify you must have passed a PhD or equivalent. Applications will be assessed by an expert assessor/committee. Applicants will be informed of their assessment by the university.

Applications must be submitted electronically using the link "Apply now". Attached files must be in Adobe PDF format. We strongly recommend that you read How to apply for a position at SDU before you apply. All pdf-files must be unlocked and allow binding and may not be password protected. In case you have more than one file per field you need to combine the pdf-files into a single file, as each field handles only one file. Each box can only contain a single file of max. 10 Mb.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark: https://www.sdu.dk/en/om-sdu/job-sdu/international-staff.
Further information about the Faculty of Science: https://www.sdu.dk/en/om-sdu/fakulteterne/naturvidenskab.