Fully Funded PhD Scholarship in Quantum Software verification, compilation, and optimization at Aarhus University, Denmark.

Applications are invited for a PhD fellowship/scholarship at the Graduate School of Natural Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark, within the Computer Science programme.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve, and develop.

The university views equality and diversity as assets, and welcomes all applicants.

All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background.

Research area and project description:

• The opportunity offers a PhD position in the area of Quantum Software Verification, Compilation, and Optimization.
• Interested applicants with strong analytical skills and a desire to work on algorithmic and modeling challenges focused on Quantum Circuits are encouraged to apply.
• The idea of the project is centered around quantum circuits: the task is to optimize quantum circuits and map them to particular hardware platforms.
• A successful candidate will also study the optimal implementation of quantum error correcting codes.
• Another part of the project focuses on expressing quantum algorithms in (higher-level) quantum programming languages, including loops and measurements, studying these languages in terms of their semantics, compilation, program optimizations, and verification.
• And collaborate with several external partners, such as the company Kvantify.
• The vision of the project as a whole is to develop design automation algorithms for a quantum software stack.
• The appointments will be held at the Department of Computer Science at Aarhus University, within the section of Programming Languages, Logic, and Software Security, which has a strong international presence and also ranks as a top-5 department worldwide in the area of Programming Languages (https://csrankings.org).

All positions are fully funded with a competitive salary and social benefits.

NOTE:

• Please upload a project description (½-4 pages). This document should describe your ideas and research plans for this specific project.
• If you wish to, you can indicate a URL where further information can be found.

Qualifications and specific competences:

• The applicants must have an MSc degree (finished or nearly finished) in Computer Science or a related field.
• This position requires a strong background in Theoretical Computer Science (e.g., programming language theory, formal methods, or algorithms/optimization)
• And an open mind to practical computational experiments.

The intended project start is May 1^st.

Place of employment and place of work:

• The place of employment is Aarhus University, and the place of work is the Department of Computer Science, Åbogade 34, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark.

How to apply:

For information about application requirements and mandatory attachments, please see the Application Guide. 

Please read the Application guide thoroughly before applying.

When ready to apply, go to https://phd.nat.au.dk/for-applicants/apply-here/ (Note: the online application system opens 1 December 2025)

• Choose February 2026 Call with deadline 1 February 2026 at 23:59 CET.
• You will be directed to the call and must choose the programme “Computer Science”.
• In the box named “Study”: In the dropdown menu, please choose: “Quantum Software – verification, compilation, optimization (QS–vco).”

Please note:

The programme committee may request further information or invite the applicant to attend an interview.

At the Faculty of Natural Science at Aarhus University, we strive to support our scientific staff in their career development.

The faculty focus on competency development and career clarification, and want to make your opportunities transparent.

On their website, you can find information on all types of scientific positions, as well as the entry criteria we use when assessing candidates.

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