Career opportunities

Postdoctoral fellowships and graduate student positions in post-quantum cryptography

Positions in Institute for Quantum Computing

Postdoctoral fellowships and graduate student positions in post-quantum cryptography

The Institute for Quantum Computing and the Centre for Applied
Cryptographic Research at the University of Waterloo seek qualified applicants for postdoctoral fellowships and graduate student positions in post-quantum cryptography, in particular in public-key cryptography based on computational assumptions believed to be secure against quantum computers (e.g. systems based on lattices, error-correcting codes codes, multivariate functions, elliptic curve isogenies, and also signature schemes based on hash-functions).

Projects may include studying new attacks (classical or quantum) on proposed systems, improved implementation methods for such systems, and reductions or equivalences between candidate post-quantum systems.

Qualified postdoctoral applicants should apply at the CryptoWorks21 postdoctoral program application page

Graduate student applicants should apply both at the CryptoWorks21 graduate student application page and one of the relevant graduate programs at the University of Waterloo.

Successful applications will join a broad team of leading researchers in quantum computing and applied cryptography. They will also be able to take advantage of the CryptoWorks21 supplementary training program, which develops the technical and professional skills and knowledge needed to create cryptographic solutions that will be safe in a world with quantum computing technologies.

The Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) is a collaborative research institute focused on realizing quantum technologies including sensors, actuators, quantum communication, and information processors. At present, IQC has a complement of 22 faculty members (growing to 33) from the Faculties of Engineering, Mathematics and Science. IQC's research program has theoretical and experimental components that pursue projects that will advance quantum information.

The Centre for Applied Cryptographic Research (CACR) is an internationally recognized centre for research in applied cryptography and related areas of information security representing an interdisciplinary collaboration between the Departments of Combinatorics and Optimization (C&O), Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), Pure Mathematics (PMath), and the School of Computer Science (CS) within the University of Waterloo.

Questions may be directed to Michele Mosca (Director, CryptoWorks21) or David Jao (Director, CACR).

The University of Waterloo respects, appreciates and encourages diversity. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals including women, members of visible minorities, Aboriginal peoples and persons with disabilities. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.

Institute for Quantum Computing

Faculty Position

Applications are invited for two tenure-track faculty positions at the rank of Assistant Professor, and in special cases Associate or Full Professor, at the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) and any department in the Faculties of Mathematics and Science. IQC is a collaborative research institute focused on quantum information science and technology, ranging from the theory of quantum information to practical applications. Membership in IQC is renewable, with an initial appointment of 5 years, and comes with research space, a teaching reduction of one course, and a stipend. Information about research at IQC can be found at http://uwaterloo.ca/iqc/research.

A PhD and significant evidence of excellence in research in quantum information science and technology and the potential for effective teaching are required. Responsibilities include the supervision of graduate students and teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Based on qualifications, a salary range of $78,500 to $155,000 will be considered. Negotiations beyond this salary range will be considered for exceptionally qualified candidates. Effective date of appointment is Jan 1, 2019. The search is open to all areas of quantum information that connect with the goals and ongoing research at IQC.

The University of Waterloo is host to the Institute for Quantum Computing. At present, IQC has a complement of 29 faculty members (growing to 39) from the Faculties of Engineering, Mathematics and Science. Interested individuals should upload their application via the faculty application form at: https://uwaterloo.ca/institute-for-quantum-computing/positions.

Full consideration for these positions is assured only for applications received by August 31, 2018.

The University of Waterloo respects, appreciates and encourages diversity and is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals including women, members of visible minorities, Aboriginal peoples and persons with disabilities. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority in the recruitment process.

“Three reasons to apply: http://uwaterloo.ca/fauw/why.”

Research Assistant Professor

Applications are invited for a Research Assistant Professor positions in the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) and any department in the Faculties of Mathematics, Engineering and Science. The IQC is a collaborative research institute focused on quantum information, science and technology. Membership in IQC is a five-year appointment, subject to re-evaluation after three years taking into consideration performance and availability of funding. Only those candidates whose research program directly connects with the goals and ongoing research at IQC will be considered. Information about research at IQC can be found at http://uwaterloo.ca/iqc/research.

A PhD and significant evidence of excellence in research in quantum information science and technology are required. Based on qualifications a salary range of $70,000 to $90,000 will be considered. Negotiations beyond this salary range will be considered for exceptionally qualified candidates. Effective date of appointment is negotiable.

The application review process will begin on May 20, 2018 and continue until the position are filled.

“Three reasons to apply: http://uwaterloo.ca/fauw/why.”

Open Quantum Safe (libOQS), Cryptographic Research Architect

This position is available immediately in Professor Mosca’s Research group. You will be working with a team of researchers and developers from academia and industry on the Open Quantum Safe project (openquantumsafe.org). You will help integrate new post-quantum cryptographic algorithms into the libOQS open-source library, and design and implement techniques for evaluating and benchmarking these cryptographic algorithms in a variety of contexts. You will be required to participate in weekly sprint meetings and perform software development tasks assigned by the project team lead, ensuring that all code contributions developed by self or integrated from 3rd party contribution sources adhere to a cohesive design and framework. The field of post-quantum cryptography is rapidly evolving, and you will need to track ongoing changes to algorithms due to peer review and advances by researchers via the the NIST Post-Quantum Cryptography project forum. Any significant findings relating to a particular PQ algorithm’s effectiveness or efficiency should be brought to the attention of team lead, and may be disclosed to other researchers in forum. In addition to algorithm research, tasks cover all aspects of the software development lifecycle and include design, programming cryptographic algorithms, integrating other cryptographic implementations into the libOQS framework, integrating libOQS into 3rd party opensource projects, testing, benchmarking and documentation. You may be required to take an ownership role in coordinating the development of a sub-component of the Open Quantum Safe project.

Qualifications:

• Undergraduate or Graduate degree in Mathematics, Computer Science or Electrical and Computer Engineering

• Essential: C and C++ programming experience, at least 3 years.

• Essential: Familiarity with cryptographic algorithms including public key and symmetric key cryptography, digital signatures, message digest and hashing algorithms

• Familiarity with cryptographic protocols such as TLS and SSH

• Familiarity with automated test frameworks like Google Test

• Familiarity with static code analysis products like Coverity

• Essential: Familiarity with version control systems (Git & Github workflow)

• Familiarity with software build systems (Make, autoconf, Visual Studio)

• Familiarity with continuous integration systems (Travis CI, Appveyor)

Quantum information science aims to develop transformational technologies that harness the power of quantum mechanics. The Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) is a world-leading institute for research in quantum information at the University of Waterloo. IQC has 29 faculty members whose research programs span the areas of Applied Mathematics, Chemistry, Combinatorics & Optimization, Computer Science, Electrical & Computer Engineering & Physics. IQC members have the opportunity to interact with other research groups at the University, such as the Centre for Applied Cryptographic Research and the nearby Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. New infrastructure, including an advanced nanofabrication and metrology centre support an expansion of experimental research programs at IQC. We are based in the new Mike & Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum-Nano Centre, a state-of-the-art facility at the heart of the University of Waterloo campus, which provides unprecedented opportunities for research, collaboration and innovation.

The appointment will be for 12 months with the possibility of additional 6-month extension, pending on research funding. The salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The University of Waterloo respects, appreciates and encourages diversity. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals including women, members of visible minorities, Aboriginal peoples and persons with disabilities. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority

Please submit your CV to michele.mosca@uwaterloo.ca.

https://services.iqc.uwaterloo.ca/applications/positions/open-quantum-safe-liboqs-cryptographi-x9y4/