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PostDoc Position in Theory of quantum correlations in AMO quantum simulators

 The scalable production of many-body entangled states is the central goal of most quantum technologies of new generation (such as quantum simulation, quantum computing and quantum metrology). Such a goal poses a fundamental challenge to experiments, requiring an extreme level of control on quantum manybody systems (ensembles of ultra-cold atoms, complex quantum circuits, etc.). But theoretical physics is also faced with a crucial challenge, namely that of developing a versatile toolbox for the certification of quantum devices, with two main goals: 1) the efficient encoding of quantum many-body states with classical computers (at least in some limiting cases); and 2) the development of realistic diagnostic tools for the detection of quantum entanglement, and the reconstruction of its spatial structure.
This postdoctoral position is aimed at developing a vigorous theoretical activity on the above aspects, in close relationship with quantum simulators based on atomic-molecular-optical (AMO) physics. We shall particularly focus on the case of quantum simulators of lattice spin models, either with S=1/2 (as realised by trapped-ion and Rydberg-atom experiments) or with larger spins (as realised by magnetic-atom – Cr, Er, and Dy – experiments). The broad goal of the project is therefore two-fold:
A) developing numerical tools for the real-time simulation of quantum lattice Hamiltonians (based on variational entangled states, as well as semi-classical approaches); the main goal will be the simulation of the entangling unitary dynamics governed by quantum spin Hamiltonians with power-law interactions;
B) analysing the non-equilibrium quantum many-body states using entanglement witnesses for bipartite and multipartite entanglement, as well as many-body Bell inequalities. The postdoctoral appointment — under the joint supervision of Tommaso Roscilde and Fabio Mezzacapo at the Laboratoire de Physique, ENS of Lyon — offers a unique opportunity to develop skills both in the numerical simulation of non-equilibrium quantum many-body systems; as well as in the certification of entanglement and nonlocality in complex many-body states. The appointment is funded within the QuantERA project “MAQS – Magnetic Atom Quantum Simulator”, joining a consortium of 7 European partners (both experimental and theoretical), and offering therefore ample opportunities for international collaborations and for experiment-theory synergies.
The postdoctoral candidate should have a solid background in quantum mechanics; and working experience either with numerical simulations of quantum many-body systems; or with quantum information at the interface with quantum many-body physics (ideally with both).
Candidates are requested to send a motivation letter and a CV via e-mail (tommaso.roscilde@gmail.com), and arrange for at least two letters of recommendation to be sent to the same address.
Deadline for application is May 24th, 2020 — but later applications can be considered as well until the position is filled. The appointment is for two years, with an earliest starting date set to Sep. 14th, 2020. Yet later starting dates can also be negotiated. In light of the COVID-19 epidemic, the starting date is tentative, and it will strongly depend on the working conditions — in particular, physical access to the research facilities — that the host institution (Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon) will be able to offer in the near future, while complying with sanitary restrictions.

Tommaso Roscilde – Associate Professor (Maître de Conférences HDR)
Laboratoire de Physique – Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon
46 Allée d’Italie, 69007 Lyon, France
Tel: +33-4-72728519
e-mail:tommaso.roscilde@gmail.com
URL: https://sites.google.com/site/roscilde/