Postdoc in Machine Learning for Quantum Key Distribution - DTU Electro

Join DTU Electro as a Postdoc in machine learning for quantum key distribution. Focus on developing energy-efficient, secure communication systems. Ideal for candidates with a PhD in telecommunication or photonics engineering. The start date is 1 October 2025.
DTU Electro invites applications for a position as a postdoctoral researcher in machine learning enabled continues variable quantum key distribution within the Innovation Fund Denmark program “Advancing cybersecurity with continuous variable quantum cryptography (CyberQ). The position is focused on developing machine learning frameworks, in terms of pulse-shaping, as well as phase noise mitigating for maximizing secure key rate transmission through a fiber-optic channel.

The focus will be on energy-efficient solutions.

We seek a motivated, curious, and outgoing PhD candidate with a solid background in fiber-optics, communication engineering and machine learning. Experience with application of machine learning to communication systems and experimental work is a plus.

The project goal is to develop robust transmitter and receiver architectures that can enable distortion-free secret key rate transmission. The project will cover both algorithm development as well as experimental implementations.

We offer an opportunity to develop expertise in various domains, including but not limited to:

• Machine learning techniques for design of CV-QKD fiber-optic communication systems
• Development of physical system models and data driven model
• Realization of experimental procedures for test of the developed frameworks
• Building CV-QKD transmission systems
• Investigating transmission performance in practical test-beds

Responsibilities and qualifications
Your tasks will include research into novel machine learning based methods for mitigation of impairments associated with using an optical fibre as a transmission medium. More specifically, the focus will be on minimizing transmitter-receiver induced distortions. The overall goal will be to maximize the secure key rate and the transmission distance given the energy-consumption constraint. Specifically, you will focus on the following areas:

• Gradient based learning for signal symbol and pulse shaping
• Model-free reinforcement learning signal pre-distortion strategies
• Extracting the relevant information from correlation matrices
• Maintenance of the GitHub repository for the developed code
• Organizing and managing joint experiments with the collaboration groups

As a formal qualification, you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent). Eligible candidates should have a PhD degree in telecommunication or photonics engineering. Ability to work independently, to plan and carry out complicated task, as well as excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken, are highly desired.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and terms of employment
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union.

Starting date is 1 October 2025 (or according to mutual agreement). The position is a full-time 2-year position.

You can read more about career career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Professor Darko Zibar, dazi@dtu.dk.

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark.

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 1 June 2025 (23:59 Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• Application (cover letter)
• CV
• Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD – in English)
• List of publications - up to three most important publication
• H-index, and ORCID (see e.g. http://orcid.org/)

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

DTU Electro has more than 300 employees with competencies in electrical and photonics engineering. Research is performed within nanophotonics, lasers, quantum photonics, optical sensors, LEDs, photovoltaics, ultra-high speed optical transmission systems, bio-photonics, acoustics, power electronics, robotics, and autonomous systems. Additional information about the department can be found on https://electro.dtu.dk.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.

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