Universidad de Deusto - Investigación

Purpose of the position

This position is oriented towards a three-year doctoral thesis on Quantum Machine Learning for Cybersecurity, structured across three progressively advanced research stages. In an initial stage, the candidate will work on quantum software engineering methods applied to the protection of critical systems, within an international research consortium, building foundational competences in secure quantum computing architectures and threat modelling. In a second stage, starting approximately one year into the contract, the research will extend into an international project applying quantum computing to critical infrastructure operations, with the candidate's contribution specifically targeting the cybersecurity dimension: quantum-enhanced techniques for anomaly detection, secure communications, and resilience against cyber threats.

In a third and most advanced stage, in collaboration with an industrial technology partner, the thesis will apply tensor-network-based quantum-inspired machine learning to large-scale threat detection and cybersecurity analytics, transferring and scaling the security-oriented methods developed in the earlier stages to industrial-grade adversarial and anomaly-detection problems. Across all three stages, the research is designed to build towards a single central question: how quantum and quantum-inspired machine learning can improve the detection, prevention and resilience of systems against cyber threats.

Title of the project to be incorporated

JANUS – JUMPSTARTING AIR NAVIGATION SERVICES WITH QUANTUM SOLUTIONS

PI and/or project manager

Prof. Juan José Gude Prego

Endowment of the contract

€28,612.65 gross per year for 3 years

Funding Entity

Programme: Horizon Europe – Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021–2027)

Funding entity: European Commission – SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking (JU)

Contact information: [email protected]

Requirements

Qualifications required

1. Master’s in Artificial Intelligence
2.



Enrollment or Admissions letter for the 2026/2027 academic year in the Engineering for the Information Society and Sustainable Development PhD programme

Experience required:

Solid background in software engineering applied to quantum computing is required, together with familiarity with quantum algorithms, quantum programming frameworks, and machine learning methods applied to security problems (e.g., anomaly detection, intrusion detection, adversarial robustness). Prior experience in quantum security-related projects is highly valued. Working knowledge of critical-infrastructure systems is an asset for the second stage.

Exposure to tensor networks and quantum-inspired machine learning methods is an asset for the later industrial collaboration stage. Strong programming skills, analytical rigor, and the ability to produce technical reports and communicate results to the scientific community are essential.

Application:

The University of Deusto is launching this call within the framework of the “General call for Grants allocated to research projects or groups to pursue Doctoral Studies.” For more information on this call, please click on the following link.

Please complete the following two steps:

- Apply for this job offer by clicking on the blue “Apply” / “Inscríbete” button.

- Fill out the online application form and attach the following documents:

a. Official academic transcripts of previous official university studies (Bachelor’s and Master’s studies), even if they are currently being taken, issued by the corresponding unit.

Both academic certificates/transcripts must state the name of the degree programme, the subjects that make up the course syllabus, the subjects passed, the grades obtained and the overall GPA.

b. Curriculum Vitae.

c. Proof of Enrollment in, or an Admissions letter for, the 2026/2027 academic year of the Engineering for the Information Society and Sustainable Development PhD programme.

Contract start date: 1 November 2026

Contact information: [email protected]

Application deadline: 31 August 2026 at 23:59 local time.

📌 PhD in Quantum Machine Learning for Cybersecurity at DeustoTech at the University of Deusto (Bilbao)
🏢 UNIVERSIDAD DE DEUSTO
📍 Bilbao