Indian Institute of Technology Tirupati (IIT Tirupati) invites applications from eligible Indian nationals for the position of Research Associate (RA) in the Department of Physics. This position is part of a time-bound project sponsored by the National Quantum Mission (NQM) under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt. of India.
Job Details
| Attribute | Information |
| Hiring Institution | IIT Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh |
| Project Code | PHY2627003DSTXARAV |
| Open Position | Research Associate (RA) |
| No. of Posts | 01 Position |
| Project Title | Quantum Machine Learning: Reservoir Computing and PDE Solvers |
| Sponsoring Agency | National Quantum Mission (NQM), Department of Science and Technology (DST) |
| Principal Investigators | Dr. Reetesh K Gangwar & Dr. Aravinda S (Dept. of Physics) |
| Monthly Fellowship | ₹58,000/- p.m. + HRA (as per norms) |
| Project Duration | 3 Years |
| Tenure | Initially for 1 year (Extendable up to 3 years based on performance & funds) |
| Upper Age Limit | Maximum 35 years (Age relaxation for reserved categories per institute norms) |
| Application Deadline | 14th September 2026 |
About Institution
IIT Tirupati is a premier autonomous technical and research institute established by the Ministry of Education, Govt. of India. Located in Yerpedu Mandal, Tirupati district, it actively leads high-impact interdisciplinary research initiatives across fundamental and applied sciences.
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Job Description
The selected Research Associate will work at the intersection of quantum computation, theoretical physics, and numerical methods. The focus of the project is developing and benchmarking novel quantum algorithms and Quantum Machine Learning (QML) models—specifically reservoir computing and solver frameworks—to solve Partial Differential Equations (PDEs) in physical science and engineering systems.
- Multi-Institutional Collaboration: The candidate will have opportunities to collaborate with key partner institutions of the project, including IISER Pune, IIT Kanpur, IIT Kharagpur, and AFMC Pune.
Requirements & Required Qualifications
1. Essential Educational Qualification
- Ph.D. in Quantum Computation, Theoretical Physics, Applied Mathematics, Mathematics, Computer Science & Engineering, or a closely related discipline with demonstrated expertise in quantum computing.
- Candidates who have submitted their Ph.D. thesis in a relevant area are also eligible to apply.
2. Desirable Skills & Experience
- Strong theoretical background in quantum information, quantum computing, or mathematical physics.
- Sound knowledge of linear algebra, differential equations, numerical analysis, probability/statistics, and optimization.
- Hands-on proficiency in Python programming and scientific quantum libraries such as Qiskit, NumPy, SciPy, PyTorch, or JAX.
- Proven ability to model physical systems numerically, build/benchmark quantum algorithms, and publish high-quality research papers.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Algorithm Development: Design, test, and benchmark quantum-based PDE solver algorithms and reservoir computing models.
- Numerical Simulation: Simulate physical systems governed by partial differential equations using hybrid quantum-classical frameworks.
- Collaboration & Documentation: Coordinate research activities with partner institutes (IISER Pune, IIT Kanpur, etc.) and author scientific manuscripts.
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Skills You’ll Gain
| Category | Specific Tools & Competencies Mastered |
| Quantum Computing | Qiskit, Quantum Circuit Design, Variational Quantum Algorithms (VQA), QML. |
| Scientific Computing | PyTorch, JAX, NumPy, SciPy, Numerical PDE Solvers, Reservoir Computing. |
| Research Execution | National Quantum Mission Frameworks, Cross-Institute Collaboration, Manuscript Drafting. |
Application Procedure & Selection Process
Application Instructions
- Eligible candidates must fill out the online Google Application Form.
- Required Documents: Attach a detailed CV specifying academic qualifications and research experience, scanned mark sheets/certificates from Class X onwards, and a Statement of Purpose (SoP) explaining interest in this research topic.
- Google Form Link:Submit Application Form
- Official Registration Link:IIT Tirupati Project Positions
Selection Process
- Shortlisted candidates will be notified exclusively via email.
- Selection will be based on qualifications, relevant experience, and an in-person or online interview conducted by IIT Tirupati.
- Queries can be directed via email to
csrc_recruitment@iittp.ac.in.
Frequently Asked Interview Questions (With Answers & Solution Guidelines)
Quantum Algorithms for PDEs
- Question:“How do Variational Quantum Algorithms (VQAs) or Quantum Linear System Algorithms (HHL) approach solving Partial Differential Equations compared to classical finite-element methods?”
- Answer & Solution Context: Explain that classical methods solve discretized system equations $A \mathbf{x} = \mathbf{b}$ with complexity scaling polynomially with grid size $N$. Quantum algorithms like HHL encode vectors into quantum states $\vert{}\mathbf{x}\rangle$ and matrices into Hamiltonians, offering exponential speedups under specific sparsity and conditioning assumptions. VQAs use parameterized quantum circuits to minimize a cost function representing boundary conditions and differential operators.
Quantum Reservoir Computing (QRC)
- Question:“What is the core principle of Quantum Reservoir Computing (QRC), and why is it suitable for complex non-linear dynamics?”
- Answer & Solution Context: Detail that QRC leverages the complex high-dimensional Hilbert space of a quantum system (the reservoir) to map input signals into non-linear spatial states. Since only the output layer weights are trained classically via simple linear regression while the quantum dynamics remain fixed, QRC significantly reduces optimization costs while retaining high representational capacity for temporal or dynamic physical problems.