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About the employer

Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 15.000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, as well as technical and social service provision on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities.

With its 11 faculties and more than 85 departments offering state-of-the-art study programmes grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its staff and students.

The IDLab research group is also a core group of imec. Imec is the world-leading research and innovation hub in nanoelectronics and digital technologies. Imec is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium and also has distributed R&D groups at a number of Flemish universities, in the Netherlands, Taiwan, USA, China, and offices in India and Japan.

All of these particular traits make IDLab a top-class research employer.

Your Job

We are looking for one bright and motivated PhD student for CyberQ project. The project is financed by the Independent Research Fund Denmark, and it is a collaboration between IDLab - Ghent University / imec (Belgium), DTU (Denmark), SiPhotonicIC (Denmark), DFM (Denmark) and GlobalConnect (Northern Europe).

CyberQ is an ambitious research project focused on developing next-generation Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) systems that address challenges in scalability, performance, and practicality. In the modern digital age, secure communication is vital for global commerce, effective governance, and overall security. Traditional cryptographic techniques, though effective, are vulnerable to advancements in computing, especially the upcoming quantum computing era. QKD with AES encryption offers a robust, quantum-resistant solution. CyberQ targets enhancing the security of Continuous Variable (CV) QKD systems, refining multi-party protocols for broader network applications, and improving system resilience and miniaturization for widespread deployment. By identifying vulnerabilities and integrating higher levels of practical security, CyberQ paves the way towards fully device-independent CVQKD systems. CyberQ unites the leading expertise of six international partners and is funded by Innovation Fund Denmark.

Your profile

The project focuses on the experimental investigation and realization of advanced quantum photonic devices and subsystems for Measurement-Device-Independent Quantum Key Distribution (MDI-QKD). It is a QKD protocol designed to enhance the security of quantum communication systems by eliminating vulnerabilities related to the measurement devices used in the process. You will develop working solutions to significant research challenges in this pioneering field of quantum technologies.

• You need to hold (or will obtain in near future) a master’s degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Photonics, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Additional experience considered as a plus:
  • Work experience (academic or industrial) or publications
  • Outstanding experimentalist in quantum networks
  • Experimental characterization of nanophotonics or quantum communication devices
  • Specialization in quantum mechanics, quantum optics, quantum information science, or cryptography is highly desirable
• Your English is fluent, both speaking and writing
• Ability to work both independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team
• Ability to tackle complex problems

Our offer

The IDLab-Design team (Ghent University - imec) is internationally recognized as a leading research group specializing in advanced integrated circuits and sub-systems for next-generation communications, computing, and quantum systems. Ghent University stands as a globally renowned institution known for the excellence of its research, education, innovation, and scientific advice. Imec, headquartered in Belgium Flanders, is the world-leading R&D and innovation hub in nanoelectronics and digital technologies. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment, providing abundant opportunities for professional and personal growth.

• We offer a full-time position as a doctoral fellow, consisting of an initial period of 12 months, which - after a positive evaluation, will be extended to a total maximum of 48 months.
• Place of work: Ghent
• Starting date according to mutual agreement.
• The fellowship amount is 100% of the net salary of an AAP member in equal family circumstances. The individual fellowship amount is determined by the Department of Personnel and Organization based on family status and seniority. A grant that meets the conditions and criteria of the regulations for doctoral fellowships is considered free of personal income tax. Click here for more information about our salary scales
• All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits (in Dutch).

How to apply

Send your application or any questions concerning this vacancy to Prof. Xin (Scott) Yin xin.yin@ugent.be .

Applications should include a CV, a personal motivation letter, academic diplomas, and contact information of three reference persons. After screening, selected candidates will be invited for an online interview as a first contact in a multi-stage selection process. Applications remain welcome until the position is filled.