Quantum Information Science Physicist (PhD)

Role Overview

Contribute research-grade quantum information science work to a public benchmark designed to evaluate whether advanced AI systems can perform genuine physics research reasoning. Assignments are matched to your publication record and may involve creating original problems, solving research problems, reviewing completed work, or auditing it. Each submission must include sufficiently complete written reasoning for another specialist to independently follow and verify. Review the benchmark paper at arXiv:2509.26574 before applying to assess your interest in the work.

Research Areas

You must have published on at least one of the following specific phenomena, rather than quantum information broadly:

• Distributed quantum sensing and metrology with noisy GHZ probes, including quantum Fisher information, Lindblad equations, multiparameter phase estimation, and quantum-network entanglement distribution.
• Quantum optics involving two-mode squeezing, SU(1, 1) interferometry, loss, and homodyne detection.
• Quantum Shannon theory covering Holevo and accessible information and classical channel capacity.
• Holographic codes and random tensor networks, including Haar averaging over O(N), Weingarten calculus, and black-hole interior reconstruction.
• Matrix product states, sequential generation, transfer matrices, and holographic quantum simulation.
• Eigenstate-to-Hamiltonian construction, commutant algebras, integrals of motion, Jordan-Wigner transformations, and spin-chain exact diagonalization.
• Quantum-limited imaging and superresolution, including QFI, spatial-mode demultiplexing, and the Rayleigh limit.
• Quantum walks and spatial search on graphs, including degenerate perturbation theory and avoided level crossings.
• Higher-order interference, the Sorkin parameter, and generalized probabilistic theories as information resources.
• Generalized noncontextuality, KCBS, ontological models, POVMs, and nonclassicality optimization.
• Private states, quantum and private channel capacity, superactivation, and related channel theory.
• Quantum relative entropy, strong data processing, contraction coefficients, and qubit amplitude-damping channels.

Qualifications

• PhD in quantum information, quantum optics, or a closely related field. Postdoctoral researchers, research scientists, and junior faculty are especially well suited; senior PhD students with a strong first-author record may apply.
• Published work directly addressing the selected phenomenon. Experience applying related tools to an adjacent topic alone is not sufficient.
• A verifiable record of three to five representative papers, ideally published within the past five years, with arXiv IDs or DOIs. First-author publications are strongly preferred, and listed papers will be verified against public records.
• Publications demonstrating at least one relevant method family: entropic and information-theoretic methods; open quantum systems; random-matrix and Haar integration; tensor networks; convex and geometric methods; or estimation theory.
• Working proficiency with LaTeX, Python, SymPy, and Jupyter. Familiarity with an agentic coding extension in VS Code is useful; candidates may disclose gaps honestly.

Eligibility

• English proficiency at B2 level or higher, including the ability to communicate rigorous written reasoning clearly.

Work Terms

• Remote, asynchronous hourly engagement with no fixed working hours.
• Commit approximately 10 hours per week across an 8 to 10 week period, beginning immediately.
• The specific research area and assignment will be agreed after matching your background to an appropriate area.

Compensation

$80 to $110 per hour, determined by the depth of alignment with the relevant subdomain.

Application Process

• Complete the application form with your education, research experience, method self-attestation, and up to five research areas that best fit your background.
• For each selected area, provide an arXiv ID or DOI for your own supporting paper, your author position, and the methods demonstrated. Selections without supporting evidence are not scored.
• Your papers and authorship will be verified against the public record.
• After verification, candidates may proceed directly to engagement or be invited to a short live alignment call to confirm the research area and assignment.
• A 30 to 45 minute assessment may be requested when needed, though most applicants will not complete one.