Designing many-body quantum echoes for quantum computation assisted structure determination
About the Project
Supervisory Team: Dr Christian Bengs
In this project, you will explore the design of many-body quantum echoes that amplify structurally sensitive data for quantum computation. By combining controlled quantum experiments with quantum algorithmic methods, you will gain hands-on experience applying fundamental quantum techniques to real-world problems.
Determining molecular structure in solid materials is central to chemistry, materials science, and drug development, as it reveals functionality and informs design principles. Solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) is a powerful tool for this purpose, but classical structure determination is often slow and computationally demanding due to complex many-body spin dynamics. Quantum computers can accelerate this process, but they require information-rich input data.
In collaboration with Google Quantum AI, we have shown that many-body quantum echoes provide precisely this type of data. Building on this breakthrough, you will work in close collaboration with the Google Quantum AI team to combine theory and experiment. You will:
- design next-generation NMR many-body echoes suitable for realistic solid-state systems
- perform controlled NMR experiments to generate structurally sensitive data
- analyse results alongside outputs from Google’s Willow quantum chip
By integrating locally collected NMR data with quantum-computation-generated data, you will help advance quantum-assisted structure determination, bridging real-world experiments with cutting-edge quantum computation.
The project is additionally supported by the EPSRC Doctoral Training Landscape award, providing additional funding, opportunities to attend international conferences, and support for research-related travel. You will work closely with leading experts in quantum computing from Google Quantum AI and NMR, gaining hands-on experience in quantum control, many-body physics, and quantum algorithms. The project offers access to cutting-edge NMR facilities and other quantum hardware, preparing You for careers in academia or the rapidly growing field of quantum technologies.
Entry requirements
You must have a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in one of the following:
- chemistry or material science
- physics
- engineering
- closely related disciplines
You should be an enthusiastic learner, interested in bridging theory and experiment in quantum physics, and motivated to contribute within a collaborative, multidisciplinary research team.
Fees and funding
This project is fully funded, including tuition fees and a tax-free stipend at the UKRI rate for up to 3.5 years (totalling £20,780 for 2025/26, rising annually), with an additional enhanced stipend of £3,000 per year provided via the EPSRC Doctoral Training Landscape Award.
How to apply
You need to:
- choose programme type (Research), 2026/27, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
- select Full time or Part time
- search for programme PhD Chemistry (7189)
- add name of the supervisor in section 2 of the application
Applications should include:
- your CV (resumé)
- 2 academic references
- degree transcripts and certificates to date
- English language qualification (if applicable)
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