Two PhD positions in Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, ALICE

March 8, 2010

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** TWO PHD POSITIONS IN LOGICS FOR QUANTUM INTERACTION **

UNIVERSITY OF GRONINGEN, THE NETHERLANDS

Call for Applications:
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Two PhD positions are available in the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences in the Institute of Artificial Intelligence (ALICE), offered in collaboration with the department of Theoretical Philosophy at the University of Groningen. The candidates will join the five-year NWO Vidi project of Dr Sonja Smets.

VIDI Project:
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‘Reasoning about quantum interaction: Logical modelling and verification of multi-agent quantum protocols’:

As for classical computing, logic is expected to play an essential role in the understanding of quantum computation and quantum information, and especially in the formal verification of quantum communication protocols. Such multi-agent applications involve quantum information flow and classical knowledge transfer (by classical communication) between the agents. So one of our aims in the proposed VIDI research project is to develop the logical tools for modelling complex situations where different types of informational dynamics (classical and quantum) are combined. Our goal is to develop and use a combined classical-quantum logic for the full specification and formal verification of agent-based quantum protocols for secure communication. Towards this goal, we propose to use formalisms based on modal logic, especially combinations of dynamic (or temporal) logics and epistemic (or “spatial”) logics. But other logical formalisms, such as probabilistic logic, linear logic and coalgebraic logic (or categorical logic, in general), may also turn out to be useful in this context

Two PhD positions are linked to this project. The first PhD position has the task of studying from a logical perspective the role of classical knowledge transfer in known protocols such as e.g. Teleportation, Super Dense Coding and Quantum Secret Sharing. The second PhD position is associated to the logical study of the (classical and quantum) information flow in protocols dealing with the anonymity of an agent’s identity such as the Quantum Dining Cryptographers and Quantum Electronic Voting.

Qualifications:
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Candidates should have (or obtain before 1 September 2010) an excellent Masters degree in Logic, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Philosophy, Mathematics or Physics. Fluent English is a prerequisite.

Job Profile:
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We are looking for candidates with a strong interest in Logic (especially in any of the areas such as Modal Logic, Epistemic Logic, Dynamic Logic, Linear Logic, Categorical Logic or Quantum Logic) and in Quantum Information Theory or Quantum Computing.

Appointment:
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The PhD positions are awarded for a period of four years and should lead to a dissertation. The gross monthly salary for each position will range from 2042 euro in the first year to 2612 euro in the fourth year. The successful applicants are required to participate in the PhD programme at the University of Groningen (see http://www.rug.nl/prospectivestudents/degreeprogrammes/graduateschools/phd) and will be working under the daily supervision of Dr. S. Smets. The main focus of the appointment is on research, but can include moderate teaching duties in subjects relevant to the candidate’s research activities. The preferred starting date is 1 September 2010.

How to apply:
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Applications must be send electronically to Dr Sonja Smets at S.J.L.Smets-at-rug.nl, they should arrive by 7 June 2010 and must contain :

- a Curriculum Vitae
- a Letter of Motivation (at most 2 page), explaining why you are interested in this position
- a list of all university courses taken (including grades).
- a short summary of your Master thesis in maximum 2 pages
- the name and contact details (including email address) of two referees who can provide details about your profile (e.g. the supervisors of your master thesis).

For further information, please contact Dr Sonja Smets at S.J.L.Smets-at-rug.nl

We will start reviewing applications on 7 June 2010 and hope to make a decision soon after that, but applications will continue to be accepted until both positions are filled.

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