Research Fellow in Dynamical Systems and Variational Quantum Circuits

Research Fellow in Dynamical Systems and Variational Quantum Circuits

An exciting opportunity exists for a Research Fellow to join the School of Mathematics in the Faculty of Science. The position will be based at Monash University, with regular contact with MathQuEST Chief Investigators at other universities. This position at Monash University to undertake research on Dynamical Systems and Variational Quantum Circuits as part of the ARC Centre of Excellence in Mathematics for Quantum Era Security & Trust (MathQuEST), under the guidance of Warwick Tucker in collaboration with Chief Investigators across the Centre.

MathQuEST is an Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence led by Professor Nalini Joshi. Funded over seven years, the Centre brings nine collaborating Australian universities: The University of Sydney, Adelaide University, University of Melbourne, Monash University, Queensland University of Technology, University of Queensland, University of Technology Sydney, University of Western Australia, and University of Wollongong. The Centre's partner network comprises world-leading companies, universities, government, and professional bodies across 10 countries. The Centre's vision is to undertake transformational interdisciplinary research founded on mathematics that will underpin new algorithms to protect our future, empower discovery, and increase trust in an age that will be shaped by quantum computers. Its core mission is to do so by creating a high-quality, inclusive and collaborative research culture to grow a mathematically trained, technologically agile workforce that will support Australia's sovereign capability. All members of the Centre will have the opportunity to develop communication skills, participate in outreach, and receive mentoring and training to engage with society and industry at all levels. The Centre will be grounded in a culture of inclusion, diversity, and engagement of talented people at all levels, to cultivate discovery. MathQuEST supports a flexible, family-friendly working environment. Subject to visa restrictions, this opportunity is available as either a full-time or part-time position.

In this project, the successful incumbent will investigate whether variational quantum circuits (VQCs) can serve as useful surrogate models for nonlinear dynamical systems. The initial focus will be on low-dimensional benchmark systems, beginning with low-dimensional systems of ODEs, with later extension to related nonlinear oscillators and chaotic attractors. The project will compare two complementary strategies: learning the one-step evolution map directly, and learning the underlying vector field and then integrating it numerically. The overarching goal is to determine when hybrid quantum-classical models offer useful representational or algorithmic advantages for scientific machine learning tasks involving nonlinear dynamics.

To be appointable into this role you will hold a PhD in mathematics or a closely related field and have a strong background in Dynamical Systems and Computational Mathematics. Experience with quantum computing is valued.

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