MSCA Scholarship: Quantum Internet Protocol Stack Design and Use-Case Identification

MSCA Scholarship: Quantum Internet Protocol Stack Design and Use-Case Identification

We are pleased to advertise two fully funded PhD positions within the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) programme, in the framework of the QUESTING doctoral network ( focusing on emerging challenges in quantum networks. Both positions are hosted within the Quantum Internet Research Group at the University of Naples Federico II (Naples, Italy). Additional information is available at:

The selected candidates will have the opportunity to learn and validate their research on the quantuminternet.it testbed, an advanced research infrastructure based on entangled-photon technologies, enabling experimental validation of quantum network protocols and applications.

The project

Quantum networks require complex software infrastructures to manage entanglement distribution, synchronization, classical signaling, and multi-node coordination. Thus, it remains a critical need for software-engineered models that can be simulated, validated, and compared at scale. This PhD focuses on quantum network software engineering supporting realistic evaluation of quantum Internet architectures.

What You’ll do

The successful candidate will:

• Identify and decompose Quantum Internet functionalities, including entanglement distribution, measurement sharing, and classical transmission.
• Organize these functions into modular, software-defined components suitable for integration within a Quantum Internet suite and or network testbeds, ensuring intra-protocol formatting and hardware abstraction through interfaces that separate hardware-specific and quantum operations.
• Define user interfaces for simulator/testbed environments.
• Validate models and evaluate performance: Analytical frameworks will be used to quantify throughput, fidelity, and latency. Simulations on a quantum network simulator (e.g., NetSquid or similar) or experiments with a quantum network testbed will test scalability of use-cases.

These positions are supported by a competitive funding scheme, offering:

• Minimum gross monthly salary: approximately €3,800
• Mobility allowance: €710/month
• Optional family allowance: €660/month (if applicable)

Who Should Apply

Highly motivated candidates with a background in computer science, engineering, or related, a strong interest in quantum computing and quantum networks and strong programming skills in C++ and Python.

Eligibility requirement

Applicants must comply with the MSCA mobility rule, i.e., they must not have resided in or carried out their main activity (work, studies) in Italy for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately preceding the recruitment date.

For informal inquiries about this opportunity, contact

Interested candidates are invited to submit:

• Curriculum Vitae (including contact details)
• A copy of transcripts (graduate and/or undergraduate studies, as applicable).
• Contact information of two referees