Associate Professor in Quantum Algorithms and Quantum Software

The position

The Centre for Quantum Mathematics (QM) at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Southern Denmark (SDU), seeks outstanding candidates to fill a number of associate professor positions in quantum algorithms and quantum software.

The targeted starting date of the position is 01.08.2027, or as soon as possible thereafter.

About the Centre for Quantum Mathematics (QM)

Over the past seven years, QM has built a highly international and interdisciplinary research environment spanning a broad spectrum of pure mathematics, mathematical physics and quantum computer science. The Centre has attracted leading international researchers to Odense and developed a unique research environment spanning both fundamental and applied research.

The University of Southern Denmark has recently invested DKK 50 million in the Centre for Quantum Mathematics, on top of its continuous substantial basic funding of the centre, which will enable the Centre to further expand its scientific capacity, attract and retain leading international researchers, increase the acquisition of competitive external research funding and establish strategic collaborations with industry, public authorities and international partners.

As part of this continued development and expansion, QM will move into a new dedicated building from next year. The new building will be located on the SDU campus in Odense and will provide a dedicated research environment for the Centre and its growing international research community.

Research activities and funding

The QM centre is located at the Faculty of Science on the international campus in Odense, Denmark and it is hosting several large European, Danish and American grants including “New Structures in Low-Dimensional Topology” (Simons Collaboration) & “Topological Photonic Quantum Computing and its Applications” (Innovation Fund Denmark) both led by PI and Centre Director Jørgen Ellegaard Andersen; “Mathematics of the open topological string” (VILLUM Investigator) led by Professor Vivek Shende; “The Quantum Geometry of Dynamical Systems” (VILLUM Ascending Investigator) and “The Emergent Geometry of Categories” (DFF Sapere Aude) both led by Associate Professor Fabian Haiden; “New invariants in low-dimensional topology via quantum field theory” (VILLUM Young Investigator) led by Associate Professor Du Pei, “Global Categorical Symmetries and Phases of Quantum Matter” (VILLUM Young Investigator) led by Assistant Professor Apoorv Tiwari, “From Pertubative to Non-pertubative Quantum Field Theory by cutting and gluing” (DFF Sapere Aude) led by Assistant Professor Konstantin Wernli and finally “Leveraging Algebraic Geometry for High-Precision Fundamental Physics“ (DFF Sapere Aude) led by Associate Professor Matthias Wilhelm.

Job description

A successful candidate will drive internationally competitive research, collaborate with the world community in the field, and attract competitive external research funding. The candidates are expected to contribute significantly to QM’s excellent research and teaching environment and to provide outstanding education.

The candidates will get the opportunity to shape this development together with the team and implement research project ideas with national and international impact.

Topics of interest: Quantum algorithms, Quantum software engineering, Topological quantum computing, Gaussian boson sampling, Quantum error correction, Fault-tolerant quantum computing, Quantum software design and testing, Developer tools and usability in quantum software.

We offer

Our new colleague will become part of an inspiring international research environment with excellent facilities and strong collaborations across a broad international network of researchers, research organizations, quantum technology as well as end-user companies, and other relevant stakeholders.

The position offers an opportunity to contribute to the development of quantum algorithms and quantum software, with particular emphasis on advancing the theoretical and computational foundations of quantum computing.

At the Centre for Quantum Mathematics, we aim to connect fundamental mathematical research with developments in quantum science and technology. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop an independent research profile while collaborating across mathematics, computer science, physics, and quantum technology, contributing to the Centre’s ambition to strengthen the foundations and applications of quantum computing.

The position also provides opportunities to contribute to and shape our educational activities in quantum computing, including the continued development of our Master’s degree programme in Quantum Computing, and to incorporate new developments in quantum algorithms and software into teaching and student projects.

We expect

The candidates must have a PhD degree in pure or applied mathematics, computer science or theoretical physics and a strong research record.

The candidates must further have an emerging research track in the field and evidence of excellent teaching at minimum undergraduate level (e.g. teaching evaluations).

We are seeking highly motivated candidates, who work and communicate well in an international team. The candidates must be able to carry out independent and rigorous work at top international level.

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Danish is not a prerequisite for application. The hired candidate will be offered Danish courses by the university.

Living and working in Odense

Odense is a fast-growing international community with an open Scandinavian culture, affordable housing and living costs.

Contact information

Further information is available from the Head of the Centre, Jørgen Ellegaard Andersen (qm@sdu.dk)

About The Faculty of Natural Sciences: https://www.sdu.dk/en/nat

Application, salary etc.

Appointment to the position will be in accordance with the salary agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Please check links for more information on salary (only available in Danish) and taxation.

Salary is determined in accordance with the applicable collective agreement and based on objective and gender-neutral criteria, including the content of the position, responsibilities, and qualification requirements.

As an applicant, you are entitled to information about the starting salary and salary range for the position. This information will be provided during the recruitment process.

SDU does not collect information on applicants’ previous salary.

Applications will be assessed by an expert committee. When the expert committee issues its assessment, the applicants will be sent the portion of the assessment pertaining to them personally.

The application must include:

A curriculum vitae, including information on previous employment with start and end dates

A full list of publications

Copy of PhD diploma

Copies of all publications on which the applicant wishes to be evaluated

A brief survey of the applicant's most important research results and research plans for the next three years

A teaching portfolio

2 or more letters of recommendation should be submitted directly to qm@sdu.dk mentioning your name and the title of the position in the subject field. Please note that these need to reach us before the application deadline.

Shortlisting may be used in the assessment process. Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will neither be considered nor evaluated.

If you experience technical problems, please contact hcm-support@sdu.dk

An interview may be included as a part of the overall assessment of the applicant’s qualifications.

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.

Since not all members of the appointment committee are Danish-speaking, it is recommended that your application is submitted in English.

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.

About SDU

The University of Southern Denmark was established to create value for and with society. Whether our contributions come in the form of excellent research, innovative solutions, education or learning, we must make a positive difference to society and contribute to a sustainable future. We do this by cultivating talents and creating the best environments for research and learning. It is therefore crucial that SDU retains, develops and recruits talent. At the same time, we need to ensure consistently high quality in all our activities – and we can only do that with the right people. The University’s researchers, lecturers, students, managers and technical/administrative staff are the foundation of our success.