Research projects on offer

Our Sydney network of quantum experts are seeking PhD, Honours and Master students to work on various quantum science and technology research projects. Projects suit both experimentalists or theorists and driven individuals with backgrounds across a range of disciplines such as physics, computer science, engineering, chemistry or mathematics.

Applications for our PhD Scholarship program are now open. If you aspire to be a leader in your field, we invite you to apply.

Our PhD scholarship program offers an array of research projects spanning quantum science and technology across our partner universities. To find a research project, filter projects by university or research specialisation at the PhD level. Please note this list is not exhaustive. You can also use our database to search for experts/supervisors based on their research interests and discuss other opportunities. We recommend contacting a prospective supervisor in advance of applying for our scholarship programs.

How to use the filter - view by university, study level or use the general search field to view by quantum research field e.g. communication, sensing or computing/computation.

  • Advancing quantum computing with Diraq (Next Generation Quantum Graduates Program) 

    Dr Andre Saraiva, Industry Placement with Diraq

    This project is part of the CSIRO Next Generation Quantum Graduates Scholarship Program (NGQGP). Diraq is a Sydney-based quantum computing company, delivering revolutionary quantum computing to the world, based on existing silicon chip technology. This immersive PhD project at Diraq provides students with hands-on experience in silicon MOS based quantum computing. Under expert guidance, participants contribute to cutting-edge projects, receive tailored mentorship, and engage in specialised training, enriching both their academic journey and industry prospects. 

    For more information, contact the project supervisor: Dr Andre Saraiva
    This project would suit: An exceptional student holding an Honours or Masters qualification in electrical engineering, physics, or a relevant field, possessing strong knowledge of semiconductor or quantum physics.
    UNSW Sydney
    PhD,
  • Algorithms for distributed consensus – with BTQ (Next Generation Quantum Graduates Program)

    Prof Gavin Brennen

    This project is part of the CSIRO Next Generation Quantum Graduates Scholarship Program (NGQGP)

    The project will investigate how quantum processors can be used to perform proof of work (PoW) consensus for blockchain technologies and includes an internship of up to 6 months with the company BTQ .

    Existing PoW protocols involve inverting a one-way function, specifically solving for the preimage of a Hash function that depends on transactions in the current block and also a Hash of the previous block. In practice this method is extremely energy intensive and is vulnerable to dominance by quantum computers.

     

    For more information, contact the project supervisor: Prof Gavin Brennen
    This project would suit: Students with some experience with the theory of quantum information and computation with an interest in quantum algorithms and quantum optics. Only domestic students are eligible for this scholarship.
    Macquarie University
    PhD,
  • Analog trapped-ion quantum simulators for chemical dynamics

    A/Prof Ivan Kassal, Dr Ting Rei Tan, Prof Michael Biercuk

    Quantum simulators aim to describe the properties of quantum systems that would otherwise be too difficult to simulate on ordinary computers. In particular, analog quantum simulators—which do not require universal, programmable quantum computers—are likely to be the first practical quantum computing devices.

    Our goal is to simulate the outcomes of chemical reactions that are beyond the capabilities of conventional computers, which would have transformative impacts from materials and energy science to drug discovery.

    For more information, contact the project supervisor: A/Prof Ivan Kassal
    This project would suit: Students with background in either chemistry or physics
  • Atomically thin van-der Waals materials

    Prof Alex Hamilton, Dr Feixiang Xiang

    Graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms with honeycomb lattice structure, shows many exotic physics and promising properties for device applications. Stacking different layers together provides a degree of freedom to change electronic properties of graphene, such as electronic band structures. In this project, the successful applicant will work with a team from QED group from School of Phyiscs at UNSW to explore effect of different stacking order on electronic properties of ABA- and ABC- stacked trilayer graphene. The successful applicant will participate in fabrication of van der Waals heterostructure and measuring their electronic properties in an environment of ultracold temperatures and high magnetic fields.

    For more information, contact the project supervisor: Prof Alex Hamilton
    This project would suit: An experimentally focussed materials scientist, chemist or physicist
    UNSW Sydney
    Honours, Undergrad,
  • Automated laser beam alignment optimization using machine learning techniques

    Dr Eric Howard

    Complex light fields used in optical tweezers require advanced optical manipulation and control of the laser beam. The project focusses on the design, experimental setup and characterization of a beam auto-aligner system on a Raspberry Pi controlled stepper motor. The system will be used for maintaining and manipulating the intensity distribution of the laser beam and precise optical beamshaping by a spatial light modulator patterned optical trap for cold atoms. The work involves developing a machine learning algorithm for optimization of the “walking the beam” technique, used in most quantum optics experiments and control of structured light for advanced optical manipulation. The algorithm can be used to optimize the laser power into optical fibers, better modulation of the amplitude and phase of light and for controlling of the overlapping beams in a pump-probe experimental setup. The precise control of the laser beam intensity distribution enables the fine tuning of configurable potential wells for future optimized optical trapping experiments.

    For more information, contact the project supervisor: Dr Eric Howard
    This project would suit: This Master's project is suited to graduates with a strong background in electronics or optoelectronics and an interest in embedded systems and quantum/atomic physics.
    Macquarie University
    Masters,