Group Leader position in Neutral Atoms Applications
INSTITUTION: Center for Theoretical Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences
CITY: Warsaw
POSITION: Team Leader – research group leader
DISCIPLINE: Physics
POSTED: 2026-04-01
EXPIRES: 2026-05-17
WEBSITE: https://www.cft.edu.pl
KEY WORDS:
- Quantum technologies
- Rydberg atoms
- Quantum computing with neutral atoms
- Quantum simulation
- Quantum information
Reference no.: Msz/29/2025
Place: Warszawa, PL
Salary: ca. PLN 17 000 – 21 000/month gross (ca. PLN 13 000 – 16 000/month net)
Number of posts: 1
Mode of work: on-site
Position available since 01.05.2026 for the period of 36 months (possible extension to an indefinite period).
Important deadlines:
Document admission deadline: 31.01.2026
Results deadline: 30.04.2026 r.
Source of financing: EUCENTRAL: CENTER FOR QUANTUM TECHNOLOGIES MODELLING – [HORIZON-WIDERA-2023-TALENTS-01-01] — [ERA Chair] project financed by the European Commission (agreement no.: 101186579).
Project website: https://eucentral.cft.edu.pl/
About the project and us
The Center for Quantum-Enabled Computing project’s overarching objective is to address several key challenges in the field of computing by paving the way to a verifiable, energy-efficient, reliable, and scalable computational advantage based on quantum systems.
Project temporary website: https://remik24-web.github.io/QT-website/
The candidates are welcome to inquire about the project details, research agenda and organizational issues. The questions should be sent by email to R. Augusiak (http://raugusiak.weebly.com): augusiak@cft.edu.pl
The Center for Theoretical Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences (CFT PAN) is a research institute that conducts research in various fields of physics, including quantum information, research on the cosmos and gravitation, semiconductors, and atomic gases. The Institute’s strategy is to employ the strongest scientists while giving them freedom in conducting research. The result is the high position of CFT PAN in Poland, publications at a world-class level (papers in Nature and Science), a large number of grants (approximately 30 projects), and participation in international consortia.
The CTP PAS also hosts a number of scientific events, including seminars, workshops, and conferences, which are open to the public. The Institute also creates educational content accessible on its official YouTube channel.
About the role
We are seeking a person who will lead the Neutral Atoms Applications Group of the newly established Center for Quantum-Enabled Computing (within the structures of the Center for Theoretical Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences) — the first scientific unit in Poland dedicated to the application of quantum effects in computing. The focus of the Group will be on combining theoretical research with potential implementations. The possible research topics include (but are not limited to):
Development of strategies for achieving fault tolerance and efficient quantum error correction and mitigation tailored to neutral-atom quantum computing and simulation platforms.
Design of optimal many-body gate implementations, together with the exploration of measurement-free error correction protocols and the integration of mid-circuit measurements with real-time feed-forward control.
Development of scalable architectures for hybrid analog–digital quantum computation and simulation on neutral-atom platforms, combining analog Hamiltonian evolution with digital gate-based control to optimize performance, resource efficiency, and robustness to noise.
Optimization of quantum simulation protocols, including the identification of non-trivial Hamiltonians that can be reliably simulated using Rydberg platforms, as well as their experimental implementation in collaboration with the University of Stuttgart; this also includes the study of circular Rydberg state microwave qubits and their quantum-logic mapping to clock qubits.
Your responsibilities will also include:
Contributing to the research agenda and leading the research of their group and being responsible for implementation of related milestones, in cooperation with other group leaders.
Conducting world-class research oriented towards applications of quantum computing, quantum algorithms, or machine learning.
Publishing articles in top-tier journals and disseminating results on thematic conferences.
Applying for external funding from key national and international agencies, including National Science Center (NCN) or ERC.
Researcher’s profile according to the European Council’s recommendations: R2 or R3.