51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú

How can we develop quantum error-correction theory and use it to design future quantum computers capable of solving high-impact problems?

I will join Oxford Physics in September 2027 to establish a theory group focused on quantum error correction and fault-tolerant quantum computing. We will study how noisy hardware, error-correcting codes, fault-tolerant processing, and algorithms work together. This is a very challenging research area because at realistic scales, exhaustive analysis is infeasible and asymptotic results alone do not determine system performance. Extremely low logical failure rates also make direct Monte Carlo simulation prohibitively expensive. We will develop new theoretical and computational methods to address these challenges, establish fundamental limits on performance, and guide the design of practical fault-tolerant quantum computers. My research will continue to involve close collaboration with quantum-computing groups in industry, connecting theoretical advances to realistic hardware for many different platforms and engineering constraints.

I want to build a group where ambitious research is collaborative, creative, and fun. I will support group members in developing independent research directions, combining mathematical depth with computational investigation and engagement with experimental constraints. We will use AI thoughtfully to advance our research and deepen our understanding. I see research as a human endeavour, driven by curiosity and the pleasure of discovery.

I am recruiting DPhil students for October 2027 entry and postdoctoral positions starting in January 2028. I welcome applicants from physics, mathematics, computer science, engineering, and related fields; prior experience in quantum error correction is useful but not essential. Please contact me at michael.beverland@physics.ox.ac.uk with a short description of your background and interests. Available projects will be listed on the DPhil projects page, although I have a broad range of interests within quantum computing and am also especially interested in students who come with their own research ideas and ambitions. Please see my to get an idea of other topics I work on.

My approach is shaped by a decade of quantum-computing research in industry. I am currently a Staff Researcher at IBM Quantum, working on modular fault-tolerant architectures with quantum LDPC codes. Previously, I was a Senior Researcher at Microsoft Quantum, where I led the development of the framework implemented in Microsoft's Quantum Resource Estimator. I completed my PhD at Caltech with John Preskill, following a BA and MSci in Physics at Cambridge. Before all that, I grew up near Belfast with an early fascination for physics and rollerblading!