Network and Lab Technician for Quantum Communications Testbed

Secure communications and networking have become a key cornerstone for the Internet enabling several trusted applications which we take for granted today. For example, services such as digital banking, connected transport, digital medical records, defence, governmental and of course data communications – would be challenging should the trust in modern communication systems be lost. As quantum technologies progress rapidly, the growing capabilities of quantum computers threatens the security and then the trust of current cryptographic technologies and protocols. Preventing this threat requires adoption of quantum safe cryptography in the form of post-quantum crypto (PQC) algorithms and protocols and/or using quantum key distribution (QKD). Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) has established an open access testbed for quantum safe communications where various QKD and PQC solutions are evaluated and tested. Various research activities at TU/e are developing network protocols and solutions for quantum safe communications, as well continuous and discrete variable QKD transmitters and receivers (based on electronic and photonic integration technology). At TU/e, QKD systems have been developed to run the required full signal processing chain in real-time at relatively high secret key rates. The testbed evaluates these QKD systems together with PQC for real-world applicable quantum safe communication solutions and investigates their integration with classical communication networks.
Quantum key distribution nodes to be deployed in the field in Eindhoven. 

The Project – QCINed & CAT2

The project Quantum Communications Infrastructure in the Netherlands (QCINed) is a 10 million Euro project which is carrying out research and development of systems engineered for quantum key distribution as well as relevant encryption and classical communication systems (https://quantumdelta.nl/qcined). In collaboration with QuTech at TU Delft, Surf and various other small to medium enterprises in the Netherlands, QCINed project aims to establish the basis for a national (and European cross border) quantum communications infrastructure. The catalyst programme National Quantum Network (CAT2) is part of the work programme of Quantum Delta NL (QDNL) aiming to further the development of quantum communications technology and targeting the deployment of a national quantum network. We aim to prove real operation of quantum safe communications deployed in the field with industrial and governmental use-cases. We will demonstrate the full stack hardware and software components, bringing together systems from various vendors.

The Position
We are looking for a qualified network and lab technician to contribute to the deployment and operation of the quantum safe communications testbed at TU/e. The activities include the day-to-day monitoring and operation of the network as well as contribution to the operation and organization of the involved research laboratories. The candidate will take an active role in working with the researchers and engineers in the testbed and laboratories, supporting the deployment of the testbed and the development of test setups for measurement and evaluation of quantum communications devices and networks. You candidate will be responsible for maintaining relevant inventories and configuration databases as well as documenting the network deployment and relevant commissioning information. The candidate will support the procurement, acceptance test, installation and integration of network elements as well as devices and components for the laboratories. The candidate will support the implementation and deployment of network management and monitoring solutions and perform day-to-day monitoring of the testbed. You will join a highly dynamic team that has established a functioning network for quantum safe communications, including quantum and classical communications equipment from a variety of vendors and has adapted a number of network protocols to make use of quantum key material for improved security. The team is currently deploying the quantum safe communications network in the field and the candidate is expected to contribute to the network design and layout, coordinate (part of) the deployment and establish the operational and monitoring systems for the quantum communications testbed.

The position includes a number of activities, duties and responsibilities including:

• Prepares and maintains relevant inventories and configuration databases for the network/testbed and laboratories.
• Takes charge of day-to-day organization of laboratories and monitoring of the testbed.
• Supports the deployment of the testbed and the setup of test and measurement setups in the laboratories.
• Documents network and testbed deployment and configuration as well as performance test and measurement procedures and results.
• Supports the implementation of network operation tools and platforms and their deployment.
• Prepares and maintains product documentation, including data sheets, instruction manuals, project notebooks, design, and test documentation.
• Supports the procurement and acceptance testing of network elements, lab devices as well as components.
• Contributes to the strategic expansion of the testbed and laboratory test and measurement capabilities.

The position forms part of the QCINed and national CAT2 projects which – together with a number of national partners – aims to establish the basis for a national (and in the future European) quantum communications infrastructure. You will join the Electro-Optical Communications group within the Department of Electrical Engineering and will be embedded with the team developing and deploying the quantum safe communications testbed. You will work in the facilities of the quantum photonic systems and networking laboratories. You will work with the deployed network of the quantum safe communications testbed and actively collaborate with the industrial and academic partners in the QCINed project and QDNL programme.

About Quantum & Terahertz Systems team at TU/e, EHCI Institute and QuantumDelta NL
Eindhoven University of Technology is a leading international university specializing in engineering, science & technology. Through excellent research and teaching, TU/e contribute to progress in the technical sciences, to the development of technological innovations, and as a result to the growth of prosperity and welfare in the region and beyond. TU/e supports close links with industry, healthcare, and the building & logistics sectors. TU/e is a central part of the Brainport Eindhoven region, which combines research on future technologies and several open innovation campuses with a strong industrial base including a mix of small, medium, and large global enterprises. TU/e has formed the Eindhoven Hendrik Casimir Institute (EHCI) and Center for Quantum Materials and Technology Eindhoven (QT/e) both with the explicit aim for furthering quantum technologies.

The candidate will be embedded in the Quantum & Terahertz Systems (QTS) lab within the Electro-Optical Communications (ECO) group, a well-equipped laboratory focussed on developing secure and robust optical and radio communications systems and demonstrating their value a variety of applications including 5G/6G networks, edge and cloud computing as well as autonomous mobility. The laboratory is well funded by several European Commission projects and by the Dutch Ministry of Economic and Climate Affairs through two national growth funds programmes in Quantum Communications and Photonics.

Quantum Delta NL (QDNL) is public-private foundation, launched in 2020 with the mandate to coordinate and execute the Netherland’s National Agenda for Quantum Technology (NAQT). Quantum Delta NL has been awarded €615 million from the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy to power the advancement of quantum technology. TU/e hosts one of five QDNL major quantum hubs, collaborating on innovation by bringing together top-quality scientists, engineers, students, and entrepreneurs, working together on the frontier of quantum technology. The Eindhoven Quantum hub includes the creation of a field-deployed quantum safe communications testbed with the aim to become a testing facility and proving ground for quantum communications technology open to scientific and commercial partners form all over Europe and around the globe.