Master Thesis in Quantum-Assisted Optimization

Safe Intelligence — this forms the core brand of the Fraunhofer Institute for Cognitive Systems IKS. Connected cognitive systems drive innovation in many sectors, for example in autonomous vehicles, medical devices or intelligent automation within industry. They should always take full advantage of the potential offered by artificial intelligence, while remaining demonstrably safe and reliable at the same time. This is why Fraunhofer IKS researches both artificial intelligence and software engineering — we consider resilience and intelligence as part of the same process.

What you will do

Quantum Computing is a novel, disruptive technology with the potential to tackle challenging optimization problems. These arise in many areas of interest – logistics, network problems, robustness verification. You will research the applications of current noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) devices and algorithms for optimization use cases.

Possible topics include the adaptation, implementation and analysis of algorithms for robustness certification of neural networks (https://arxiv.org/abs/2205.00900), the examination of encoding techniques and ansatz design for optimization problems like the Travelling Salesperson Problem (https://arxiv.org/abs/2210.11823), or the implementation and advance of new QC-assisted solution methods like Quantum Approximate Optimization with a constraint-preserving mixer (https://arxiv.org/abs/2203.06095).

What you bring to the table

• the formal requirements for a master thesis in physics, computer science or an adjacent subject
• basic knowledge in quantum computing
• basic knowledge in mathematical optimization and/or machine learning
• programming skills (preferably Python, Qiskit or Pennylane)
• experience with working in Linux environments
• interest in applied research and the transfer of state-of-the-art methods to relevant applications.

What you can expect

• good and individual supervision, a positive working environment and flexible work model
• close integration into a young, dynamic team working in various innovative quantum-related fields
• application-driven extension of your studies.

We value and promote the diversity of our employees’ skills and therefore welcome all applications - regardless of age, gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, ideology, disability, sexual orientation and identity. Severely disabled persons are given preference in the event of equal suitability. Remuneration according to the general works agreement for employing assistant staff.

With its focus on developing key technologies that are vital for the future and enabling the commercial utilization of this work by business and industry, Fraunhofer plays a central role in the innovation process. As a pioneer and catalyst for groundbreaking developments and scientific excellence, Fraunhofer helps shape society now and in the future.

Interested? Apply online now. We look forward to getting to know you!

Technical questions are gladly answered by
PD Dr. habil. Jeanette Miriam Lorenz, Tel.: +49 89 547088-334
For all other inquiries, you may contact our personnel department by e-mail: recruiting@iks.fraunhofer.de

Fraunhofer Institute for Cognitive Systems IKS

Requisition Number: 66121 Application Deadline: