Zhenyu Cai

This 3.5-year D.Phil. studentship at the University of Oxford focuses on the critical challenge of error control in quantum computers. The project, supervised by Dr. Zhenyu Cai and Prof. Dominic O’Brien, aims to develop a comprehensive 'full-stack' approach to quantum error suppression, integrating strategies across all layers of quantum computation. The research will combine Quantum Error Correction (QEC) and Quantum Error Mitigation (QEM) to advance noise-resilient and fault-tolerant quantum computation. Students will develop novel theoretical frameworks, design new error suppression schemes, and validate these through numerical simulation. The work is highly interdisciplinary, bridging abstract theory, practical hardware constraints, and real-world applications. Oxford offers a vibrant quantum research environment, with opportunities for collaboration across departments and with the Oxford Quantum Hub and Oxford Quantum Institute. While the project is theory-focused, students are encouraged to engage with experimental partners, including those in industry. Funding is provided through the Department of Engineering Science: UK students receive full tuition and stipend, while overseas students receive partial tuition and stipend. The stipend is at least £20,780 per annum, and tuition is covered at the UK rate. Applicants should have a first class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree in Mathematics, Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or related disciplines, with excellent English communication skills and a passion for science. Experience in theoretical quantum computation, quantum software (Qiskit, QuEST, Cirq), or quantum hardware is desirable. The application deadline is noon on 2 December 2025, with a start date in October 2026. Informal enquiries are welcome and should be sent to Dr Zhenyu Cai ([email protected]).