PhD on Quantum Computing × AI for Optimization

Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich • zürich, zürich, Switzerland • Posted June 28, 2026

Location zürich, zürich

Job Type Full-time

Category Other-General

Posted June 28, 2026

PhD on Quantum Computing × AI for Optimization We invite applications for a PhD position at the intersection of quantum computing and artificial intelligence, focused on advancing optimization through both technologies. The position is jointly in collaboration with Stefan Woerner (Principal Research Scientist & Manager, Applied Quantum Science, IBM Research Europe – Zurich) and Juan Carrasquilla (Institute for Theoretical Physics, Department of Physics, ETH Zurich). 
You will have the opportunity to work across both ETH Zurich and IBM Research Zurich, benefiting from the synergy between academic and industrial research. The topic of the PhD position sits at the crossroads of quantum computing, machine learning, and combinatorial optimization — an area where some of the most exciting and open questions in the field live. 
Using AI to learn parameters and design circuits for quantum optimization algorithms (e.g., beyond QUBO formulations for QAOA) 
        

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