Open Positions

We have three PhD positions opening under two categories at the moment.

PhD positions on quantum computing (ETH Zurich & IBM Research), two openings

We invite applications for PhD positions on quantum computing, advised by Elisa Bäumer Marty, Christophe Piveteau, and David Sutter (all IBM Research Zurich) and co-advised by Renato Renner (ETH Zurich). What awaits you in our group in Zürich is a welcoming, open and interactive research environment. Our research is collaborative, interdisciplinary and embedded in the international quantum computing community. The candidate will have the possibility to spend time at ETH Zurich and at IBM Research Zurich.

The topic of your PhD will be at the interface of theoretical physics and theoretical computer science --- with a focus on the foundations of quantum computing (depending on your interests).
We strongly encourage you to submit an application if you have an academic background in computer science, mathematics, theoretical physics or related fields with some experience in quantum computing or quantum information theory, and you are highly motivated to pursue a PhD, and if you are enthusiastic about collaborating and working together with others.

We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents in a single merged pdf file in this order:

your CV,
a statement explaining how you came to be interested in the theory of quantum computing, a question you are particularly excited about, and why you want to pursue a PhD (max. 300 words),
a transcript of records (Bachelor’s and Master’s),
contact details of two academic advisors that are willing to provide a reference letter about you (on request of us).

We are starting to consider applications and contact your references on July 1, 2026, but applications can still be submitted until the job is filled. The starting date is flexible.

Link to the application portal can be found at https://jobs.itp.phys.ethz.ch/phd/.

PhD position on quantum computing, one opening

We invite applications for a PhD position on quantum computing, advised by Dominik Hangleiter and co-advised by Renato Renner. What awaits you in our group in Zürich is a welcoming, open and interactive research environment. Our research is collaborative, interdisciplinary and embedded in the international quantum computing community.

The topic of your PhD will be at the interface of theoretical computer science, quantum computing architectures, and the foundations of quantum computing with a focus depending on your interests. If you want to read more about the type of questions we work on, visit dhangleiter.eu.

We strongly encourage you to submit an application if you have an academic background in computer science, mathematics, or theoretical physics, and you are highly motivated to pursue a PhD, and if you are enthusiastic about collaborating and working together with others.

We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents in a single merged pdf file in this order:

your CV, including the contact details of one or two references (max 2 pages),
a statement explaining how you came to be interested in the theory of quantum computing, a question you are particularly excited about, and why you want to pursue a PhD (max. 500 words),
a transcript of records (Bachelor’s and Master’s),
a sample of your own academic writing, for example, a thesis or essay.

We are starting to consider applications and contact your references on June 15, 2026, but applications can still be submitted until the job is filled. The starting date is flexible.

Link to the application portal can be found here.