Go Back

PhD on Quantum Computing × AI for Optimization

Emerging Scholars Council ↗

📍 Zurich, Switzerland 🇨🇭

full-time

entry-level

Posted —

Apply Now ↗

Key Skills

quantumAIoptimizationalgorithmsPython

Industry

RoboticsTelecommunications

Job Description

{ tabs = [...$refs.tabs.children]; tabData = tabs.map(tab => ({ name: getName(tab), key: getKey(tab) })); if (! activeTab) { activeTab = tabData[0].key; } }">

Choose your region

Select the region that best fits your location or preferences.

International

Sverige

Norge

Danmark

Suomi

United Kingdom

Deutschland

France

België

Nederland

Österreich

Schweiz

Italia

España

Choose your site language

This setting controls the language of the user interface, including buttons, menus, and all site text. Select your preferred language for the best browsing experience.

English

English

Swedish

Svenska

Norwegian

Norsk

Danish

Dansk

Finnish

Suomi

German

Deutsch

French

Français

Dutch

Nederlands

Italian

Italiano

Spanish

Español

Choose your job languages

Select the languages for job listings you want to see. This setting determines which job advertisements will be displayed to you.

lang !== langCode); } this.contentLanguages.push(langCode); }, setLanguage: function (newLanguage) { this.language = newLanguage; if(!this.contentLanguages.includes(newLanguage)) { this.contentLanguages.push(newLanguage); } }, setRegionUrl: function (newRegionUrl) { this.regionUrl = newRegionUrl; }, setDefaultLanguages(siteId) { if(this.currentSiteId !== siteId || this.contentLanguages.length === 0) { this.contentLanguages = this.getDefaultLanguages(siteId); // add english as default language if it's not yet there if(!this.contentLanguages.includes('en')) { this.contentLanguages.push('en'); } } if(this.contentLanguages.length === 0) { this.contentLanguages = this.defaultLanguages; } }, getDefaultLanguages: function (siteId) { let languages = {"1":[],"2":["sv","no","da"],"3":["no","sv","da"],"4":["da","no","sv"],"5":["fi","sv"],"6":["en"],"7":["de"],"8":["fr"],"9":["nl","fr","de"],"10":["nl"],"11":["de"],"12":["de","fr","it"],"13":["it"],"14":["es"]}; return languages[siteId]; } }" x-on:site-language-changed.window="setLanguage($event.detail.language)" x-on:site-url-changed.window="setRegionUrl($event.detail.region_url);setDefaultLanguages($event.detail.site_id)">

Job Match Comparison

Compare your profile with the job requirements

Job or profile information is not available.

Why this job matches your profile

We've compared your profile to the job requirements. Here's where they align.

Job or profile information is not available.

Find jobs
Find employers
Career advice

For recruiters

Find jobs Find employers Career advice For recruiters Sign in

You have already applied for this position. For questions regarding your application, please contact the employer. For technical assistance, reach out to our support team here.

You have already applied for this position. You can instead create a job alert.

Thank you for your application! An email confirmation has been sent to your email.

Loading job alert...

Receive job alerts that match your preferences.

Search query

0 && active" x-cloak="" @input-change.window="setActive(); cursorIndex=-1; updateSuggestions($event.detail)" x-transition:enter="tw-transition tw-ease-out tw-duration-200" x-transition:enter-start="tw-opacity-0 tw-transform tw-scale-y-90" x-transition:enter-end="tw-opacity-100 tw-transform tw-scale-y-100" x-transition:leave="tw-transition tw-ease-in tw-duration-100" x-transition:leave-start="tw-opacity-100 tw-transform scale-y-100" x-transition:leave-end="tw-opacity-0 tw-transform tw-scale-y-90">

Position Field 1">Subfield

Select employers

0" class="position-absolute w-100 bg-white border border-gray-300 rounded mt-1 shadow-lg" style="z-index: 1050; max-height: 200px; overflow-y: auto; display: none;">

0" class="mt-3" style="display: none;">

Search and select specific employers to receive job alerts only from them.

Select main fields

× Close

Select subfields

Select continents

× Close

Select region

Remote jobs

× Close Include remote jobs On-site jobs only Remote jobs only

Select positions

× Close

Select frequency

× Close Daily Every third day Once a week

Languages

× Close English Swedish Norwegian Danish Finnish German French Dutch Italian Spanish

ETH Zürich

PhD on Quantum Computing × AI for Optimization

Zurich, Switzerland

Unspecified

Apply now

{ const baseUrl = $event.detail.baseUrl; const currentUrl = window.location.href; window.location.href = baseUrl + '?r=' + encodeURIComponent(currentUrl + '#' + 'phd-on-quantum-computing-ai-for-optimization'); } "> Save job Create job alert

Share this job

About The Employer

ETH Zürich

ETH Zürich is well known for its excellent education, ground-breaking fundamental research and for implementing its results directly into practice.

Visit the employer page

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 the challenge of 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 by Juan Carrasquilla (Institute for Theoretical Physics, Department of Physics, ETH Zurich).

Job Description

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. Research directions include:

Using AI to learn parameters and design circuits for quantum optimization algorithms (e.g., beyond QUBO formulations for QAOA)
Developing AI-driven methods to discover quantum optimization algorithms
Generating quantum samples to warm-start classical AI solvers, or to produce quantum-enhanced features and embeddings

The core questions driving this research are fundamental and timely: How can we ensure AI-discovered quantum algorithms are not classical in disguise? How can we generate large-scale, high-quality quantum training data? And how can we combine quantum computing and AI to achieve a measurable, real-world advantage?

Profile

A Masters degree in physics, mathematics, applied mathematics, computer science, quantum computing, machine learning
Strong interest in the development of theoretical or computational methods for optimization methods, quantum computing, and machine learning
Strong leadership skills
Strong coding skills
Ability to collaborate and establish positive interactions with a widely diverse group of people from different backgrounds, countries, ethnicities, genders, etc.
Ability to work independently and in collaboration

We offer

Freedom to develop your research ideas and skills
Opportunity to collaborate with ETH faculty and IBM researchers, as well as internationally
Mentor students
Experience a supportive research atmosphere
Define, jointly with the rest of the team, a work schedule that best fits your preferences and constraints
Access to state-of-the-art computational facilities

Working, teaching and research at ETH Zurich

We value diversity and sustainability

In line with our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish. Sustainability is a core value for us – we are consistently working towards a climate-neutral future.

Curious? So are we.

We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents:

CV
Academic transcripts
A brief statement of research interests
Names and contact information of at least two academic referees who are able to write reference letters upon request

Further information about ETH and IBM can be found onthe following websites: ETH and IBM. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Juan Carrasquilla, [email protected] and Stefan Woerner, [email protected](no applications).

Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.

About ETH Zürich

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, we work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.

Job details

Title

PhD on Quantum Computing × AI for Optimization

Employer

ETH Zürich

Location

Rämistrasse 101 Zurich, Switzerland

Published

2026-06-22

Application deadline

Unspecified

Job type

PhD

Field

Applied Mathematics, , Computational Mathematics, , Theoretical Physics, , Algorithms, , Artificial Intelligence, and 2 more Quantum Computing, Machine Learning

Apply now

{ const baseUrl = $event.detail.baseUrl; const currentUrl = window.location.href; window.location.href = baseUrl + '?r=' + encodeURIComponent(currentUrl + '#' + 'phd-on-quantum-computing-ai-for-optimization'); } "> Save job

Share this job

Jobs from this employer

Showing jobs in English Change settings

ETH Zürich

Zurich, Switzerland

Postdoctoral and PhD Positions in Neurotechnology: Drug/Biologics Carrier Formulation & Chemical Engineering for Focused Ultrasound-Mediated Brain Drug Delivery

Postdoc/PhD: formulate ultrasound‑responsive carriers (microbubbles/nanoparticles) for noninvasive brain drug delivery; optimize loading/release, characterize (HPLC/DLS), in vivo.

Published 19 hours ago

Postdoc

ETH Zürich

Zurich, Switzerland

Professor of Human Nutrition Biology

Tenure-track professor to lead mechanistic nutrition biology research on how diet shapes health/disease across the lifespan; build collaborative team and teach Food Science & Nutrition.

Published 1 day ago

Closing on: 2026-11-15 (Europe/Zurich)

Professor

ETH Zürich

Zurich, Switzerland

Doctoral Position on viscoelastic hydrogels for 3D mechanobiology and tissue repair

PhD research: design/synthesize PEG & HA dynamic covalent hydrogels, characterize (rheology/nanoindentation) and use 3D cell culture to study mechanobiology/tissue repair.

Published 1 day ago

PhD

ETH Zürich

Zurich, Switzerland

Doctoral Student Range shifts of mountain plants

PhD research on why mountain plants lag climate-driven range shifts. Run alpine field transplants/greenhouse trials, analyse demography & seed dispersal in R; Swiss Alps + collaborators.

Published 5 days ago

PhD

ETH Zürich

Zurich, Switzerland

Doctoral Position in Robust Railway Intervention Planning under Uncertainty

PhD research on uncertainty-aware optimisation for railway intervention planning: stochastic/robust MILP, Python, GIS decision support, validation with real corridor data.

Published 5 days ago

PhD

ETH Zürich

Zurich, Switzerland

Professors or Assistant Professors (Tenure Track) of Computational and Applied Mathematics

Tenure-track faculty in computational/applied math: lead cutting-edge research (scientific ML, UQ, optimization, stochastic PDEs, HPC/quantum) and teach UG/grad (DE/EN).

Published 1 week ago

Closing on: 2026-09-20 (Europe/Zurich)

Professor

« Previous

Showing 1 to 6 of 63 results

About The Employer

ETH Zürich

ETH Zürich is well known for its excellent education, ground-breaking fundamental research and for implementing its results directly into practice.

Visit the employer page

Find similar jobs

PhD jobs in Switzerland Mathematics jobs in Switzerland Physics jobs in Switzerland Computer Science jobs in Switzerland

This might interest you

Using AI to accelerate recycling OFFIS 4 min read

Why KTH Is the Ideal Place to Shape the Future Through Your Work KTH Royal Institute of Technology 5 min read

Bringing Artificial Intelligence Into the Real World Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) 4 min read

Elevate Your Career and Lifestyle at the University of Oulu University of Oulu 5 min read

Three Reasons to Choose the University of Graz: The RCC and the Art of Empowering Researchers University of Graz 5 min read

More stories

Jobs by field