PhD in Design of Next-Generation Quantum Error Correction Codes and Decoders

Introduction

Are you fascinated by quantum computers and eager to help make that potential a reality? Do you enjoy research and want to join a world-class European consortium shaping the future of quantum computing? Then join QuBriC, a pan-European doctoral network on quantum error correction, as a PhD candidate at TU/e, designing next-generation codes and decoders for real quantum hardware.

Job Description

Quantum computers have grown remarkably fast. Qubit counts have risen year after year, driven by advances in fabrication, control electronics and system integration. Quality, however, has not kept pace. Today's qubits remain noisy, short-lived and vulnerable to crosstalk and correlated errors. Quantum error correction (QEC) is what turns this fragile hardware into something useful: it protects quantum information by encoding many noisy physical qubits into fewer, far more reliable logical ones. Without effective QEC, adding qubits does not add computing power, because errors accumulate faster than machines can scale. Despite impressive hardware progress, today's codes and decoders remain far too costly and too slow to make large-scale fault-tolerant quantum computing practical. Closing that gap is one of the defining challenges of the coming decade, and it is exactly where this PhD sits.

At TU/e you will join the Information and Communication Theory Lab, a group with a long track record in classical coding and information theory: designing and analysing error-correcting codes, establishing fundamental performance limits, and building practical decoding algorithms and architectures. Your research will sit at the interface between the classical and quantum worlds. You will design QEC codes suited to realistic hardware, develop the decoding algorithms that make them practical, and map the trade-offs between reliability, qubit overhead and decoding latency. A recurring theme will be how the powerful tools of classical coding theory can be carried over to the quantum setting, and how the constraints of real qubit platforms should shape code and decoder design. Depending on your background and interests, the emphasis can lean more theoretical (bounds, code constructions, information-theoretic analysis) or more algorithmic (decoder design, simulation, performance evaluation).

You will not do this alone. This position is part of QuBriC, the first pan-European doctoral network dedicated entirely to quantum error correction, bringing together 16 academic institutions and 7 industrial partners across 11 countries. You will join a cohort of 15 doctoral candidates based in Europe's leading QEC groups, and you will meet them regularly at network-wide training schools, workshops and conferences. Through secondments you will spend time at partner organisations: at the University of Napoli Federico II, testing ideas on superconducting hardware, and at Riverlane in the UK, one of the companies building real-time decoders for quantum computers. By the end of your PhD you will have more than a thesis. You will have a European network of peers, senior researchers and industry contacts working at the front line of quantum computing, and a cross-disciplinary profile that remains rare and in high demand.

You will be supervised by Dr Gabriele Liga (https://www.tue.nl/en/research/researchers/gabriele-liga) and Dr Yunus Can Gültekin at TU/e.

You will carry out two research secondments: one at the University of Naples Federico II (Italy) and one at Riverlane (UK).

MSCA-DN Eligibility Rules

• The candidate cannot already be in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment.
• Mobility rule: the candidate must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date.

Job Requirements

• A master's degree (or an equivalent university degree) in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, or a related field.
• A strong mathematical background, with roots in either communications engineering or quantum information science.
• Familiarity with classical and/or quantum coding theory is considered a strong plus.
• Affinity with mathematical/statistical modelling and programming (e.g. Python, MATLAB, or similar).
• A research-oriented attitude and strong motivation to deliver ambitious, high-quality work.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team and interested in collaborating with industrial partners.
• Motivated to develop your teaching skills and coach students.
• A good command of spoken and written English (B2+ level), and the motivation to further develop your scientific communication skills during your PhD.
  
  

Conditions of Employment

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station.

In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 3,204 - max. € 4,051 gross base salary per month (full-time)).
• In addition to your base salary, you will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus, both calculated based on your annual gross base salary.
• As a TU/e employee, you participate in the ABP pension scheme, providing retirement pension and pension benefits for surviving dependents and occupational disability. TU/e pays 70% of the pension premium, while employees contribute the remaining 30%.
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, and on-campus children's day care.
• Unlimited access to the modern on‑campus TU/e Student Sports Center at an exceptionally affordable rate.
• We support your wellbeing with free 24/7 access to OpenUp, providing you and your family with mental health support, expert guidance, and online training.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the Expat Scheme) for international candidates.

On our website you can discover even more information about our conditions of employment. Build on your career at TU/e!

About us

We are a leading international university where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community.

Our university is located in Brainport Eindhoven — a world‑leading tech region with more than 7,000 high‑tech companies and strong R&D activity. Known for breakthroughs in AI, photonics, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, Brainport is a place where technology serves people and society. Learn more about the Brainport region here.

The mission of the Department of Electrical Engineering is to acquire, share and transfer knowledge and understanding in the whole field of Electrical Engineering through education, research and valorization. We work towards a ‘Smart Sustainable Society’, a ‘Connected World’, and a healthy humanity (‘Care & Cure’). Activities share an application-oriented character, a high degree of complexity and a large synergy between multiple facets of the field.

Research is carried out into the applications of electromagnetic phenomena in all forms of energy conversion, telecommunication and electrical signal processing. Existing and new electrical components and systems are analyzed, designed and built. The Electrical Engineering department takes its inspiration from contacts with high-tech industry in the direct surrounding region and beyond.

The department is innovative and has international ambitions and partnerships. The result is a challenging and inspiring setting in which socially relevant issues are addressed.

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? For informal enquiries about this position, please contact Gabriele Liga, Assistant Professor and QuBriC Coordinator, [email protected].

Visit our website for more information about the application process. You can also contact [email protected].

Curious to hear more about what it’s like as a PhD candidate at TU/e? Please view the video.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

#EUfunded This is an EU funded project, named QuBriC, with project number 101312335, within program HORIZON-MSCA-2025-DN-01.

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of two references. Kindly note that we may reach out to references at any stage of the recruitment process. We recommend notifying your references upon submitting your application.
• Full academic transcripts for your Master's and Bachelor's programmes.
• As this position is funded under the QuBriC Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Network, please also include a brief eligibility statement indicating your country/countries of main activity (work, studies, etc.) and residence over the last 3 years, with exact dates, to verify MSCA mobility eligibility.

Ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. We give priority to complete applications.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.

Please note

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check, please consult the National Knowledge Security Guidelines.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.