PREDOCTORAL POSITION (R1) ON QUANTUM MACHINE LEARNING AT COMPUTER VISION CENTER 

Call reference: 20260116_QuCv_R1 

Closing date: Until position is filled 

ABOUT CVC 

The Computer Vision Center (CVC) is a non-profit research center established in 1995 by the Generalitat de Catalunya and the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB). Its mission is to carry out cutting-edge research that has the highest international impact in the field of computer vision. It also promotes the transference of knowledge to industry and society.  

Computer vision is an exciting research area and an omnipresent technology, essentially empowering machines with the sense of vision. The CVC is a successful marriage between knowledge and innovation. In addition to our cutting-edge scientific achievements, we have established lasting ties with industrial partners and created several spin-off companies.

PROJECT SUPERVISOR & HOSTING GROUP 

Dr. Fernando Vilariño will be the supervisor of this position. He is the leader of the Quantum Machine Learning team (QML-CVC) at CVC.  

The Computer Vision Center (CVC, https://www.cvc.uab.cat) is a center with over 150 persons, working on machine learning and computer vision research for more than 30 years, placed at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona Campus. The QML-CVC research directions are in strong alignment with the expertise of the CVC, to explore the potential interplay between quantum information and machine learning. For more information on the QML-CVC team visit: http://qml.cvc.uab.es  

CONTEXT AND MISSION 

We are seeking a PhD student to join the Quantum Machine Learning team (QML-CVC) in beautiful Barcelona. 

The QML-CVC team (https://qml.cvc.uab.es/) is part of the Computer Vision Center at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; the CVC is a center with over 150 persons working machine learning and computer vision research. 

The position is for 3 – 3.5 years, starting asap, focused on ‘Quantum Machine Learning’, with the objective of investigating hybrid classical-quantum and quantum inspired algorithms. The tasks will include the design and implementation of explorative research pathways for general problems related to machine learning and computer vision. Specific research lines can be defined in collaboration with the supervisor, with potential avenues including generative models, optimization tasks, or other specific applications.  

The candidate will work in the context of the project ML-QSIM, a 4-year, 2M€ project funded by the Spanish Government, within a multidisciplinary team in collaboration with 3 most relevant institutions for the Spanish Research Council (CSIC): Centro de Investigación en Nanomateriales y Nanotecnología (CINN) in Asturias, Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón (INMA), and the Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid (ICMM). Particularly, this will allow the validation of the research results in the Rydberg platform to be implemented during the lifetime of the project. 

CANDIDATE ’S PROFILE 

Candidates should have a strong background in quantum information, quantum technologies or similar. Graduates in Physics, Mathematics or equivalent are welcomed. Applicants with BSc in Computer Science or similar are expected to have finished a MSc is Quantum Technologies or equivalent at the moment of the starting of the collaboration. Competences in programing are highly welcomed, particularly -but not restricted to-: Coding in Python, use of quantum computing related libraries such as Pennylane, Qiskit or similar.  

Applicants are expected to be fluent in both oral and written communication in English. They should work well in a multidisciplinary, team while demonstrating initiative, proactivity and independence. The candidates are expected to be willing to participate in a knowledge-sharing environment and take profit of the development of machine learning-related competences, which are core to the CVC. 

RESEARCH CONTACT 

If you are interested in the position, please contact Dr. Fernando Vilariño for more information and applications (fernando@cvc.uab.es). 

FUNDING CONDITIONS 

• The position will be located at Computer Vision Center (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona campus). 

• We offer a full-time contract (37.5h/week) temporary contract with flexible working hours. 

• Duration: Starting asap until final date of the project in November 30, 2029.  

• Living allowance: €22,000 – €24,000 annual gross, in accordance with the candidate’s qualifications, experience and CVC salary regulations. 

This contract will be part of project I+D+i grant AIA2025-163435-C43, funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/. 

APPLICATION PROCESS 

All applications must be sent through the online form indicating the offer code 20260116_QuCV_R1 

OTM-R principles for selection processes 

The CVC is committed to Open Transparent and Merit-based Recruitment (OTM-R) for any potential candidate in all our processes. In 2015 we received the Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) award. In October 2022, the CVC successfully completed the accreditation renewal process after an on-site visit and evaluation by EU experts. 

Through an extensive and continuous process, we improve the conditions and opportunities at CVC. With these actions, the CVC is committed to the principles of the European Charter for Researchers, as well as the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. For more information follow this link.