Postdoctoral Fellowship in Quantum Computing
Posting date: July 3 2026
Application deadline: July 31, 2026
PURPOSE OF THIS POSITION
I am hiring a postdoctoral researcher to work on a new project, “Computing on Quantum Codes with Low Overhead” funded by the National Research Council of Canada. This project is about high-rate quantum LDPC codes, with a specific question in mind: how do we compute on these codes? Not only is there a huge variety of new codes to consider, computational techniques for these codes are still new. We want to be able to fairly compare different codes, considering their overhead, architecture assumptions, and the cost of computing with them. I have a particular interest in how this impacts cryptography, but this project seeks more general answers.
You will work closely with myself, Dr. Ningping Cao at the National Research Council (a 5-minute walk from the Institute for Quantum Computing), and a PhD student who will start in fall 2026 to work on this project.
ACCOUNTABILITIES
- Summary research into the literature on high-rate LDPC codes: what codes exists, what architectures do they need, how can computing be done on them
- Developing software for efficient comparisons and resource estimation
- Exploratory research in novel computing methods, code constructions, impossibility results
- Writing papers about our research results
- Mentoring junior project members
- Discussion and collaboration with the broader quantum community within and outside of the Institute for Quantum Computing.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants for this position should hold (or be near completion of) a PhD degree on a topic in quantum computing or quantum information.
Applicants should be proficient in written and spoken English.
Applicants must be eager to learn any necessary areas of quantum computing for this project.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Expertise or experience with any of the following areas:
- Quantum computing-specific:
- Error-correcting codes
- Lattice surgery
- Surface codes
- Resource estimation
- Homology
- Circuit design/algorithms
- Mentorship
- Open-source software design
Strong communicator (written and oral)
Strong publication record, or other demonstrated excellence in research
ABOUT THE LOCATION
This position is based in the department of Combinatorics and Optimization and the Institute for Quantum Computing, both at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. You will also work closely with Canada’s National Research Council.
The Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) is a world-class center for quantum computing research, hosting over 250 researchers, both theoreticians and experimentalists, who work on a wide swath of quantum computing research. IQC has research groups in quantum encryption, materials, trapped ions, photonics, superconductors, quantum information, quantum-safe cryptography, and more.
Employment Type: Full-time
Compensation and Benefits: $70,000 per year
Salary Benefits/Perks: Postdoctoral researchers at the University of Waterloo (UW) receive extended health benefits, including dental, life insurance, and sick leave, and are allotted one month of vacation during each year of employment.
Reports to: Samuel Jaques
Posted by: Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) and Department of Combinatorics and Optimization (C&O) at the University of Waterloo.
Number of Positions: 1
Position Start Date: Available immediately (start date is negotiable).
Position End Date: The initial contract will be for 18 months, with the possibility of extension contingent on performance and available funding.
Equity Statement: The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is centralized within our Indigenous Initiatives Office (https://uwaterloo.ca/human-rights-equity-inclusion/indigenousinitiatives).
The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuit/Inuk, Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.
The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Nicole Little – nlittle@uwaterloo.ca.
If you have any questions regarding the position, the application process, assessment process, or eligibility, please contact Sam Jaques - sejaques@uwaterloo.ca.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
Three reasons to apply: https://uwaterloo.ca/faculty-association/why-waterloo.
The code of conduct for my research group is here: https://sam-jaques.appspot.com/static/files/code-of-conduct.pdf
How to Apply
Applications should be sent to sejaques@uwaterloo.ca, and should include:
- A CV
- A cover letter describing your interest in the position and summarizing relevant experience and qualifications
- Contact information for at least three references
Application Deadline: For full consideration, applications should be submitted by July 31, 2026. Applications received after this date may still be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC), Associate or Full Professor in Quantum Information
Date Posted: August 27, 2025
Located in the heart of Waterloo Region, the University of Waterloo is at the forefront of innovation and home to world-class research and inspired teaching. The Institute for Quantum Computing, in collaboration with the Faculties of Mathematics and Science, is seeking exceptional scholars and researchers to take up a position as a Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in the strategic priority area of Quantum Information. The CERC program was established to offer Chairs valued at $500,000 or $1,000,000 per year, for a total of $4,000,000 or $8,000,000 over eight years. The University of Waterloo is proceeding with nominations at the $500,000 level, with funds allocated towards the Chair’s salary and research expenses.
Candidates will have a PhD or equivalent with a relevant professional designation or licensure, a requirement of the University of Waterloo. A global research leader with evidence of an exceptional research program that has made a major societal impact, the candidate will propose an innovative program of high-quality research that includes collaboration with researchers in closely related fields and supervision of graduate students. They will also teach at the undergraduate and graduate levels (a reduced teaching assignment will be in place during the term of the Chair) and provide service to the unit. Applicants whose research aligns with the University’s Strategic Plan and Research Strategic Plan and the Government of Canada priorities are preferred. The search is open to all areas of quantum information related to the goals and ongoing research at IQC. We are especially interested in candidates working in:
• Quantum Error Correction,
• Quantum Networking,
• Interface Theory/Experiment,
• Applied Quantum Algorithms, and
• Quantum Materials/Devices.
The role includes appointment to a full-time tenured or tenure-track position at the rank of Associate or Full Professor within the Faculty of Science or Mathematics, along with membership in IQC. Specifically, this position can be held in any of the following departments and schools connected to IQC: Applied Mathematics, Pure Mathematics, Combinatorics and Optimization, Computer Science, Chemistry, and Physics & Astronomy. IQC membership is renewable and comes with research space and a stipend. Information about research at IQC can be found at https://uwaterloo.ca/institute-for-quantum-computing/research. All CERC appointments are subject to review and contingent upon approval by the CERC Secretariat (results expected January 2027). The salary range for the position will depend upon the rank (i.e., Associate Professor, Professor).
Eligibility
Candidates should be at the rank of Full Professor or be an Associate Professor who is expected to be promoted to the rank of Full Professor within one to two years of the nomination. Alternatively, if from outside the academic sector, nominees must possess the necessary qualifications to be appointed at these levels. The CERC program imposes no restrictions on nominees regarding nationality or country of residence. Researchers who hold a full-time academic appointment at another Canadian institution are eligible, but should they be nominated, the University will be required to demonstrate the net benefit to Canada in moving the researcher from one Canadian institution to another.
At Waterloo, it’s recognized that career interruptions can have an impact on research achievements. Applicants are encouraged to explain further how this may affect them in their application; this information will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process. Contact the Office of Research for full CERC information, including further details on eligibility criteria.
How to apply
Applications received by September 30, 2025, will be given full consideration. However, applications will continue to be reviewed until the position is filled. Apply in confidence with a curriculum vitae, cover letter, research statement, teaching dossier, and up to five sample research outputs. Three letters of reference will be requested for applicants invited for an interview. If applicable, applicants are also invited to submit an optional letter or oral statement of support from the individual’s community that describes the individual’s involvement/role within the community, or a statement of lived experience. Send application packages to: https://uwaterloo.ca/institute-for-quantum-computing/research/available-positions.
All applicants to this CERC opportunity are required to self-identify using the self-identification applicant survey. The CERC program requires institutions to collect self-identification data from all applicants to assess the diversity of its candidate pool. Information disclosed by applicants will be kept strictly confidential.
The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Karen Parkinson (Occupational Health, occupationalhealth@uwaterloo.ca), who will work with the selection committee to secure accommodation while ensuring that the information is safe-guarded and confidentiality is maintained. If you have any questions regarding the position, the application process, assessment process, or eligibility, please contact: IQC Executive Director at iqc-dtr@uwaterloo.
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is centralized within our Office of Indigenous Relations (https://uwaterloo.ca/human-rights-equity-inclusion/indigenousinitiatives).
The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as Indigenous peoples (e.g., First Nations, Métis, Inuit/Inuk), Black, racialized, people with disabilities, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply, however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
Three reasons to apply: https://uwaterloo.ca/faculty-association/why-waterloo.