Call for proposals at the São Paulo Research Foundation – FAPESP in Quantum Technologies:
5 new positions for young investigators (with at least 2 years postdoc experience)

The São Paulo Research Foundation – FAPESP – wants to bring in up to five researchers who are early in their careers and excel in their specific fields of knowledge. Proposals will be received under FAPESP's Young Investigator Grant category, aimed at establishing new scientific leadership in the state. In this Call, priority will be given to proposals from researchers working abroad who wish to start a research career at a research institution located in the State of São Paulo. It seeks to stimulate the creation of opportunities, under internationally competitive conditions, for young researchers with exceptional research backgrounds. Proponents need to demonstrate achievements after their doctorate research that indicate leadership capacity and great potential for nucleation of new research groups working with modern aspects of quantum technologies. A clear international insertion is important, along with an impact on the ongoing research at São Paulo State. Priority is given to topics not yet covered by researchers in the state or that complement themes already being explored.

It is also expected that the research projects foster the formation of highly qualified human resources, with students at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and postdoctoral fellows pursuing high quality and impactful research. Partnerships with companies may also be considered if they are dedicated to the scientific theme of the project.

1. Research themes

Quantum technologies are divided into three main strands: sensing, communication, and computing. Each area presents specific challenges and opportunities and a distinct degree of technological maturity. In this Call for Proposals, we seek to attract researchers working in all aspects of these technologies. Even though priority will be given to proposals directly related to the three axes of quantum technologies, all competitive proposals spanning the whole range of so-called Quantum 1.0 to Quantum 2.0 technologies are eligible. Below is listed a non-exhaustive set of topics that are of interest to this Call. Both theoretical and experimental proposals are eligible, albeit competitive experimentally oriented proposals are strongly desired.

a) Quantum communications, quantum key distribution protocols (QKD), frequency transducers, single-photon detectors, single-photon sources, quantum memories;

b) Quantum sensing exploiting photons, spins, phonons, superconducting qubits, or atoms for applications in metrology, healthcare, agriculture, and other areas. Life-sciences-oriented optical microscopy techniques that explore quantum states of light for enhanced resolution and sensitivity. Quantum-inspired and enabling technologies, such as dual-frequency comb spectroscopy, optically pumped magnetometers, and others are eligible;

c) Quantum processing and simulations based on photonic processors, ion or neutral atom traps, superconducting qubits, and others. Quantum control, quantum algorithms, such as quantum and quantum-inspired machine learning, quantum optimization, and others.

Successful applicants are expected to actively participate in the QuTIa Program networking meetings and workshops aimed at accelerating the development of these technologies within São Paulo and Brazil.

2. Eligibility criteria

A researcher must comply with the eligibility requirements of FAPESP’s Young Investigator Grant, as specified in www.fapesp.br/en/yia, while the following modifications of the guidelines apply to this Call:

a) In this Call for Proposals, applicants with at least 2 years of successful international postdoctoral experience are sought. A non-exhaustive list of success indicators are: publication of articles in journals with high editorial quality, leadership in these publications, invited talks at consolidated conferences and institutions, relative impact in the research field, awards and honors;

b) Be fluent in English.

3. Characteristics of proposals under this Call

a) Candidates must follow the FAPESP’s rules and guidelines for submitting proposals for the Young Investigator Grant (www.fapesp.br/en/yia); exceptions in the eligible budget items are outlined in item 3.2;

b) Although collaborations with established groups at specific topics are allowed and encouraged, a competitive proposal must have a clear and independent line of research;

c) Research project must be written in English.

3.1. Duration of the Grant

a) The duration of the proposed project must be 60 months;

b) During the development of the research project, it is desirable that the Young Investigator apply for open permanent positions at the host or other institutions in the State of São Paulo (tenure track option);

c) After the conclusion of the project, if the Young Investigator obtained a permanent position in a university or research institution in the State of São Paulo, he/she can continue his/her research activities by applying for funding through FAPESP regular funding options, including the prestigious Young Investigator Grant – Phase 2.

3.2. Support offered by FAPESP:

a) Each application should not exceed five million Reais (5.000.000,00 BRL), including the Young Research fellowship, fellowships (for students and postdocs). Fellowship costs, computers, equipment, and others may be included in the SAGesystem. Successful applicants delivering outstanding results are eligible to request additional funds by the end of the third year;

b) A Young Investigator Fellowship, to be paid up to the total duration of the grant or until the Young Investigator obtains a permanent position at an institution in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. The monthly value of the scholarship is announced at www.fapesp.br/3162.

c) Items allowed by FAPESP are described in item 7 of the Young Investigator Grant Guidelines (www.fapesp.br/en/yia);

d) For this Call, a few exceptions to scholarships and post-doctoral fellowships applies relative to the usual guidelines for the Young Investigator Grant (see item 7.1e in www.fapesp.br/en/yia):

i. Up to two Post-Doctoral (PD) fellowships are allowed and may be included in the budget. Outstanding postdoctoral fellows will be selected by the successful grantees, which must satisfy FAPESP's guidelines for the Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program, described at www.fapesp.br/en/5427.

ii. In addition to the usual fellowships allowed in the Young Investigator Grant, regular PhD (DR) – for students who already own a master’s degree – will also be allowed. As usual, the usual FAPESP guidelines apply for each fellowship.

iii. To enhance collaboration with local companies based in São Paulo State, eligible candidates will have the opportunity to apply for Technical Training Fellowships (TT) upon finding suitable industry partners. These fellowships aim to facilitate technological research and innovation endeavors in public or private companies, with a particular focus on technology-based startups within the State of São Paulo. Applications can be submitted after the research plan is initiated and may access additional funding opportunities following merit review by FAPESP.

e) Successful applicants living abroad will be granted traveling stipends to cover air tickets to support the applicant and family, following the rules outlined in https://fapesp.br/7771/auxilio-instalacao.

4. Proposal submission and evaluation

The proposal submission will occur exclusively through FAPESP's SAGe system and will be split in three steps:

a) Pre-proposal submission. Selected candidates will be invited to join a virtual Q&A call to prepare for the next submission step;

b) Full proposal submission;

c) Online presentation & Interview. Candidates receiving positive reviews on their proposals will be invited for an online presentation (12 min) followed by an interview with members of the Evaluation Committee.

For more information visit this link or contact Rodrigo Capaz, the Director of the Brazilian Nanotechnology National Lab. 

Theory Ph.D. position in Neuromorphic computing

The AG Zilberberg group at the University of Konstanz is inviting applications for a graduate student on the project “Coherent phase logic“. The successful candidate will contribute to a collaborative and interdisciplinary research Involving nonlinear dynamics, out-of-equilibrium systems, optics, and many- body physics.

Job Description:

The Research Associate will undertake the following responsibilities: Develop algorithms and schemes for harnessing phase logic for parallel computing, as well as employ and augment the theoretical framework describing these systems.

Essential Requirements:

Candidates should hold a M.Sc. (or equivalent) in one of the following areas: Physics with a focus on either quantum optics, solid state, or computational physics.
Applicants must showcase outstanding promise and originality in research. Proven research experience with programming and numerical methods for quantum systems is essential, along with the ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Further Information:

This is a four-year program, and it involves collaboration with a dedicated team of researchers. For more information about the Department of Physics and details about staff benefits, please visit our webpages.

Application Process:

Candidates should submit their applications online here.

Queries related to the application process can be directed to Yolanda Fischer (Group Administrator) at yolanda.fischer@uni-konstanz.de