Shape the future of secure underwater quantum communication for real-world maritime and subsea applications

We have a 3-year temporary PhD Research Fellow position available at the Technology Division of NORCE Research in Bergen, Norway.

The NORCE Technology division is headquartered in Bergen, with substantial activity also in Tromsø, Kristiansand, Grimstad, and Oslo. The division has approximately 120 scientific staff members, organized into 8 research groups. We develop technologies and solutions across a range of market areas, aiming to contribute to sustainable development.

We have a full-time cross-disciplinary PhD position available in the fields of Photonics, Quantum communication, and Underwater optics at the Technology Division of NORCE Research in Bergen, Norway.

The position is for a fixed-term period of 3 years at the Bergen office of NORCE. You will be enrolled as a PhD student at the Institute of Physics and Technology (Faculty of Science and Technology and Natural Sciences) of our collaboration partner, the University of Bergen (UoB), Norway.

We are seeking a highly motivated candidate to strengthen the Technology Division, working at the forefront of wide range of disciplines including sensor technology modelling, communication systems, drones, modelling and data processing.

The position is available from 17.08.2026 and we expect that the candidate can start the position no later than 01.10.2026.

Secure communication is a fundamental requirement for modern digital infrastructure, with increasing importance in maritime operations, subsea infrastructure monitoring, and offshore energy systems. While quantum communication has demonstrated provably secure key exchange in optical fibre and free-space terrestrial links, underwater environments remain largely unexplored. Optical wireless communication in the blue-green spectral window offers high data rates, but underwater channels are highly complex, with absorption, scattering, turbulence, and background light significantly affecting signal propagation. These effects pose major challenges for transmitting and detecting weak quantum signals reliably.

Reliable operation of quantum communication systems in underwater environments requires a detailed understanding of how channel conditions impact system performance. However, the interplay between physical channel effects, system design choices, and protocol performance is not yet well understood, and currently represents a key obstacle for practical deployment. In particular, it is challenging to quantify how attenuation, depolarization, alignment sensitivity, and noise influence key performance metrics such as quantum bit error rate and secure key rate.

The primary objective of this PhD project is to develop experimental and analytical tools for robust underwater quantum communication, enabling improved system design, performance characterization, and uncertainty quantification. The project will focus on establishing a flexible experimental platform for optical quantum communication in water, using weak coherent pulses and decoy-state implementations as an initial framework, while enabling systematic investigation of channel effects and system limitations.

The position is primarily dedicated to experimental quantum photonics and system development, with emphasis on understanding and improving performance under realistic channel conditions. Research will include optical system design, experimental testing in controlled water environments, and development of data-driven models linking channel properties to communication performance. The focus will be on improving system robustness, measurement reliability, and scalability, and may be adapted to the candidate’s interests within areas such as optical system design, signal processing, or quantum communication protocols.

The candidate will have the opportunity to participate in international conferences, collaborate across disciplines, and contribute to the development of next-generation secure communication technologies for maritime and subsea applications. The candidate may also have the opportunity for a research stay with the Quantum team at the National Physical Laboratory (UK).

As a PhD Research Fellow, you must participate in an approved educational programme for a PhD degree within a period of 3 years. The deadline for applying for admission to the PhD programme at The Faculty of Science and Technology, UoB, is 2 months after you start your position or after the start of the research project that will lead to the PhD degree.

The principal NORCE supervisor for this PhD position will be Peter James Thomas. There will also be one ore more supervisors from UoB.

Applicants should hold an MSc degree or equivalent education, preferably in physics, photonics, or electrical engineering. Candidates with a degree in applied mathematics, computational engineering, or a related field, with strong interest in quantum/optical communication and experimental systems, are also encouraged to apply.

Applicants are expected to have:

• Solid background in physics, photonics, or electrical engineering, with interest in quantum/optical communication

• Good programming skills (preferably Python) for modelling, simulation, and data analysis

• Experience with or strong interest in experimental work and development of optical/optoelectronic systems

• Ability to develop and validate models against experiments (e.g. propagation, noise, or communication performance)

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in structured lab, tank, and field environments

It is a condition that you satisfy the enrolment requirements for the PhD programme at the University of Bergen.

The candidate must be eligible for security clearance in accordance with Norwegian security legislation.

Applicants must be able to work independently and in a structured manner.

The applicant must demonstrate good collaborative skills and thrive in a cross-disciplinary research team.

Applicants must be highly proficient in both written and oral English.

• Exciting scientific tasks and good colleagues in an internationally leading and recognized professional environment.

• Collaboration with academic staff and students at universities and colleges involved in the project.

• Flexible working hours arrangements and good pension and insurance schemes.

• Opportunity to interact with industrial partners and solve their challenges.

The annual gross starting salary is NOK 570,000 in a full-time position.

Applications should be submitted electronically by clicking the application button.

Your application must include

• Curriculum vitae

• A cover letter outlining your motivation for applying for this position (max. 1 page)

• A summary/abstract of your MSc thesis (max. 1 page)

• List of publications (if relevant)

• Names and contact information of at least two references. One of these should be the main advisor for the master's thesis or equivalent thesis.

• Transcripts and diplomas showing completion of the bachelor's and master's degrees. If you have not yet completed your master's degree, please submit a statement from your institution confirming the master's thesis submission time.

Application deadline: 26.07.2026

Due to the summer holidays the evaluation of applications will start after August 17th.

Further information about the research group can be obtained by contacting Research Director Ranveig Nygaard Bjørk, tel. +47 913 35 305, e‑mail: rabj@norceresearch.no.

At NORCE, we are committed to ensuring diversity, equity and inclusion. We encourage all qualified individuals to apply for available positions regardless of gender, age, disability, or ethnic background.

Candidates are expected to openly offer relevant information about themselves during the recruitment process. Furthermore, one can expect background checks to be conducted on candidates in the final phase of the recruitment process. NORCE uses external actors to carry out such background checks.

We are one of Norway’s largest research institutes, with more than 800 employees across 10 locations along the Norwegian coast. At NORCE, knowledge, innovation and strong collaboration are key to success.

Together with industry and the public sector, we create value and develop innovative solutions to many of the major challenges facing society. We do this through our expertise and leading research environments in energy, health, climate, environment, society and technology. We do not only share your passion for knowledge – we combine it with long-standing experience, unique breadth and strong networks that create impact both nationally and internationally.

Do you want to use your knowledge to make a real difference? At NORCE, you become part of a team delivering impactful research and sustainable solutions – regionally, nationally and globally.