PhD fellowship in fault tolerant quantum algorithms
PhD Project in state preparation, observable extraction or noise modelling
Niels Bohr Institute
Faculty of Science
University of Copenhagen
The Novo Nordisk Foundation Quantum Computing Programme (NQCP) is building a talented and diverse international team to create a cutting-edge program in the heart of Copenhagen at the Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, where the formulation of quantum mechanics was born 100 years ago. The ambition is to build a mission-driven, full-stack approach which will involve exciting innovations at every level, from the quantum processor to the quantum-classical interface all the way to quantum algorithms and applications. The vision of the programme is to enable the development of fault-tolerant quantum computing hardware and quantum algorithms that solve important chemical problems in the life-sciences and sustainability.

NQCP invites applicants for PhD fellowships in the Algorithms & Applications (A&A) section within this area.

Start date is 1 November 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter during 2026.

The project
We are interested in developing a project plan with prospective candidates to suit their skills and experience. Current priority areas for A&A are:

• State preparation techniques
• Schemes for extracting information and observables from quantum computation
• Noise modelling of logical quantum circuits

A project can span one or multiple of these areas.

Who are we looking for?
We are looking for motivated candidates from any of the many fields spanning quantum resource estimation, quantum algorithms and all the way to areas of use cases/applications of quantum algorithms in chemistry and life-science. Applicants can have a background in Computer Science, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Materials Science, Life-Science and/or Medicine. In all cases, theoretical/computational skills and experience are important.
Our group and research- and what do we offer?
The Algorithms and Applications group has around 20 members including biochemists, quantum physicists, computer scientists and more. We offer a scientific working environment focused on practical connections between these fields with strong emphasis on collaboration and concrete impact of our research. We are part of the mission focused programme NQCP, which spans the full quantum computing stack with more than 200 scientists, engineers and more working together to fulfil the mission of the programme.

We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. The group is a part of the Niels Bohr Institute in the Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen. We are located in Copenhagen.

Principal supervisor would be either Gemma C. Solomon ([email protected]) , Nina Glaser ([email protected]) or Frederik Nathan ([email protected]), depending on the project.

The PhD programme
Depending of your level of education, you can undertake the PhD programme as either:

Option A: A three year full-time study within the framework of the regular PhD programme (5+3 scheme), if you already have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master’s degree.

Option B: An up to five year full-time study programme within the framework of the integrated MSc and PhD programme (the 3+5 scheme), if you do not have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master´s degree – but you have an education equivalent to a Danish bachelors´s degree.

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Option A: Getting into a position on the regular PhD programme
Qualifications needed for the regular programme
To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project, e.g. [relevant educations]. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.

Terms of employment in the regular programme
Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.

Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

Option B: Getting into a position on the integrated MSc and PhD programme
Qualifications needed for the integrated MSc and PhD programme
If you do not have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master´s degree, you might be qualified for the integrated MSc and PhD programme, if you have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish bachelor´s degree. Here you can find out, if that is relevant for you: General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.

Terms of the integrated programme
To be eligible for the integrated scholarship, you are (or are eligible to be) enrolled at one of the faculty’s master programmes in Physics or Quantum Information Science.

Students on the integrated programme will enroll as PhD students simultaneously with completing their enrollment in this MSc degree programme.

The duration of the integrated programme is up to five years, and depends on the amount of credits that you have passed on your MSc programme. For further information about the study programme, please see: www.science.ku.dk/phd, “Study Structures”

Until the MSc degree is obtained, (when exactly two years of the full 3+5 programme remains), the grant will be paid partly in the form of 48 state education grant portions (in Danish: “SU-klip”) plus salary for work (teaching, supervision etc.) totalling a workload of 150 working hours per year.
A PhD grant portion is currently (2026) DKK 7.426 before tax.

When you have obtained the MSc degree, you will transfer to the salary-earning part of the scholarship for a period of two years. At that point, the terms of employment and payment will be according to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State (AC). The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

Responsibilities and tasks in both PhD programmes

• Complete and pass the MSc education in accordance with the curriculum of the MSc programme (ONLY when you are attending the integrated MSc and PhD programme)
• Carry through an independent research project under supervision
• Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE
• Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad
• Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
• Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals
• Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project

We are looking for the following qualifications:
We are looking for motivated candidates from any of the many fields spanning quantum resource estimation, quantum algorithms and all the way to areas of use cases/applications of quantum algorithms in chemistry and life-science. Applicants can have a background in Computer Science, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Materials Science, Life-Science and/or Medicine. In all cases, theoretical/computational skills and experience are important.

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Application and Assessment Procedure
Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include:

• Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
• Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
• Original diplomas for Bachelor or Master and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.
• Publication list (if possible)
• Reference letters (if available)

Application deadline:The deadline for applications is 12 July 2026, 23:59 GMT +2.
We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

The further process
After deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified whether you will be passed for assessment.

The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above-mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified and, if so, for which of the two models. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held during July 2026.

Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.

General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School’s website: https://www.science.ku.dk/phd/

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.

Københavns Universitet giver sine knap 10.000 medarbejdere muligheder for at udnytte deres talent fuldt ud i et ambitiøst, uformelt miljø. Vi sikrer traditionsrige og moderne rammer om uddannelser og fri forskning på højt internationalt niveau. Vi søger svar og løsninger på fælles problemer og gør ny viden tilgængelig og nyttig for andre.

Info
Ansøgningsfrist: 12-07-2026

Ansættelsesdato: 01-11-2026

Arbejdstid: Fuldtid

Afdeling/Sted: Niels Bohr Institute