Associate Research Fellow

College of Science & Engineering, School of Informatics
Full Time: 35 hours per week
Fixed Term: 12 months
The School of Informatics at the University of Edinburgh invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher (Research Associate) in areas including quantum cryptography, cryptanalysis, hardware security and quantum hardware modules, for a QuantERA project: “Hardware Security Module for secure delegated Quantum Cloud Computing” (HSM-QCC, link: The project aims at developing an independent trusted execution module capable of ensuring secure quantum computing in a cloud environment. The consortium includes several universities and industry partners in Europe, and the University of Edinburgh team, led by PI, Dr. Mina Doosti, will work mainly on protocol design and security analysis. This role is also part of Quantum Software Lab (QSL, link: in collaboration with the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC, link: QSL, is the leading place for theoretical quantum research in the UK, and currently comprises approximately 50 core members, including eight permanent staff, under the leadership of Prof. We strongly encourage applications from female researchers, minority ethnic groups, first generation academics/STEM and other underrepresented groups in academia. This post is full-time (35 hours per week), fixed term for 12 months (with the potential for extension subject to the availability of additional funding)
The successful candidates will work as part The “Hardware Security Module for secure delegated Quantum Cloud Computing” (HSM-QCC) QuantERA project. The project consortium consists of University of Twente (NL, lead), University of Edinburgh, University of Sorbonne (FR), Eötvös Loránd University (HU), and industry partners including Quixquantum, Veriqloud, and Thales France. As part of this project, the candidate may work on
Security analysis of the existing quantum HSM and resources designed and implemented during the project.
The successful candidate is also expected to be actively involved with the collaborators and project partners, attend the consortium meetings, and take part in the communication and reporting of the project. As part of the QuantERA project, the candidate will have the opportunity to engage in an international research environment and a European scale project, as well as engage with experimental labs and industry partners.
Working at QSL provides a unique opportunity for the successful candidate to work in an international, active and extremely collaborative environment, both within the lab, the School of Informatics, and with NQCC’s research scientists, industry professionals and application engineers
PhD (or near completion) in Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics, or related field.
Candidates must have a strong background in quantum cryptography, security analysis and quantum information.
Proven expertise in the techniques needed to undertake the research in question.
Demonstrated quality of research performance.
Ability to communicate complex information clearly, orally and in writing.
Quantum Software Lab: marapini@exseed.A competitive salary
An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community
Comprehensive Staff Benefits, such as a generous holiday entitlement, competitive pension schemes, staff discounts, and family-friendly initiatives. Championing equality, diversity and inclusion
The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.
Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. The University may be able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role.  The closing date for applications is 6th January 2026.
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As a world-leading research-intensive University, we are here to address tomorrow’s greatest challenges. Between now and 2030 we will do that with a values-led approach to teaching, research and innovation, and through the strength of our relationships, both locally and globally.
Informatics is the study of how natural and artificial systems store, process and communicate information. Research in Informatics promises to take information technology to a new level, and to place information at the heart of 21st century science, technology and society. The School enjoys collaborations across many disciplines in the University, spanning all three College, and also participates as a strategic partner in the Alan Turing Institute and, with Heriot-Watt University, in the Edinburgh Centre for Robotics.
The School provides a fertile environment for a wide range of studies focused on understanding computation in both artificial and natural systems. It attracts students around the world to study in our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, and currently has approximately 1000 undergraduate students, 320 MSc students and 350 PhD students. Informatics is one of seven schools in the College of Science and Engineering, at the University of Edinburgh. It is recognised for the employability of its graduates (demand exceeds supply), its contributions to entrepreneurship, and the excellence of its research. Since the first Research Assessment Exercise in 1986, Informatics at Edinburgh has consistently been assessed to have more internationally excellent and world-class research than any other submission in Computer Science and Informatics. The latest REF 2014 results have again confirmed that ours is the largest concentration of internationally excellent research in the UK. This contributes to our ranking in the top 15 CS departments world-wide according to the latest Times Higher Education ranking.
We aim to ensure that our culture and systems support flexible and family-friendly working and recognise and value diversity across all our staff and students. The School has an active programme offering support and professional development for all staff; providing mentoring, training, and networking opportunities.