[PHILOS-L] Post-doctoral research position in the History of Quantum Optics @ Université Paris Cité
Nadine de Courtenay
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Two research teams, one from the SPHere laboratory (Sociology, Philosophy, History of Science) and the other from the MPQ laboratory (Materials and Quantum Phenomena), are hiring a motivated candidate for a post-doctoral position focused on the history of Bell inequalities applied to quantum technologies. This interdisciplinary project requires the candidate to divide his/her time equally between the two laboratories, benefiting from the expertise of researchers in both quantum optics and history of science.
The primary objective of this project is to understand how research related to Bell inequalities, which was initially highly theoretical, has led to significant technological advances such as the development of quantum cryptography [1]. The aim is to explore how Bell inequalities have influenced various branches of quantum information, identify these branches, and elucidate the transition from the "theoretical" to the "practical" Bell inequalities implemented in current devices. To accomplish this, the candidate will have to gain familiarity with quantum technologies. He or she will have to be familiar with the methodologies employed by historians of science, particularly in archival research. He or she will be encouraged to collect testimonies from physicists involved in the development of quantum technologies.
As a starting point, the candidate can draw on the work of the historian of science Olival Freire, who has authored numerous publications on the history of the foundations of quantum mechanics [2,3]. Furthermore, the candidate can consult publications outlining the history of quantum information [4,5,6,7], as well as various studies addressing the philosophical implications of developments in quantum information [8,9].
Responsibilities :
* Organize at least one symposium dedicated to the history of quantum optics, with the aim of producing a collective book on the subject
* Set up a seminar on the history of quantum optics in collaboration between the SPHere and MPQ laboratories
* Give a few hours of lectures on the history of quantum optics in the Physics and in the History and Philosophy of Science Master's programs
* Actively participate in the scientific activities of both laboratories
* Actively participate in the publication of research results in high-quality scientific journals and their presentation at national and international conferences
Qualifications :
* Ph.D. in history of physics
* Strong competence in the history of modern physics
* Background knowledge in quantum physics, if possible in quantum optics
* Ability to work with different teams simultaneously
* Interest in interdisciplinarity
The duration of the project is two years starting in October 2024 at the earliest, or January 2025 at the latest. The project is endowed with €150,000, a sum which includes the candidate's remuneration (based on French regulations) as well as various costs associated to the running of the project.
Interested candidates may contact Sara DUCCI (sara....@u-paris.fr) or Nadine DE COURTENAY (nadine.de...@univ-paris-diderot.fr) before July 15th 2024. The application should contain a CV, a list of publications, a cover letter, and one or two recommendation letters (not mandatory).
Bibliography :
[1] EKERT, A. « Quantum cryptography based on Bell’s theorem ». Physical Review Letters, vol. 67, n°6, 1991, p. 661-663.
[2] FREIRE, O. « Philosophy enters the optics laboratory: Bell’s theorem and its first experimental tests (1965–1982) ». Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B, vol. 34, n°4, 2006, p. 577-616.
[3] FREIRE, O. “The 1980s and Early 1990s, Research on Foundations Takes Off”. In: The Quantum Dissidents: rebuilding the foundations of quantum mechanics (1950-1990), p. 287-338. Springer, 2014.
[4] BRASSARD, G. “Brief history of quantum cryptography: a personal perspective”. Proceedings of IEEE Information Theory Workshop on Theory and Practice in Information Theoretic Security, Awaji Island, Japan, 2005, p. 19-23.
[5] SINGH, J. & SINGH, M. “Evolution in quantum computing”. 2016 International Conference System Modeling & Advancement in Research Trends (SMART), IEEE, 2016, p. 267-270.
[6] HIDARY, J. “A brief history of quantum computing”. In: Quantum Computing: An Applied Approach. Springer, 2021, p. 15-21.
[7] CHEN, L. “A Brief History of Quantum Computing”. See : https://quantumpedia.uk/a-brief-history-of-quantum-computing-e0bbd05893d0 .
[8] BOKULICH, A. & JAEGER, G. (eds.). Philosophy of quantum information and entanglement. Cambridge University Press, 2010.
[9] GRINBAUM, A. “Quantum information and the quest for reconstruction of quantum theory”. In: The Oxford Handbook of the History of Quantum Interpretations, chap. 16. Oxford University Press, 2022.
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