Quantum Computing Graduate Research Assistantship Positions
On March 13, 2024 Governor Kristi Noem signed Senate Bill 45 which allocated funding for the new Center for Quantum Information Science and Technology at Dakota State University. Authored by DSU President Jose-Marie Griffiths this initiative in quantum computing aims to accelerate South Dakota’s priority research in core areas such as artificial intelligence, cyber security, agriculture, and healthcare. Among the many opportunities this state-supported research provides is a doctoral assistantship. We invite all our doctoral students to review the position description and conditions below for this very special opportunity.
Assistantship Description
Graduate Studies at Dakota State University invites qualifying doctoral students and candidates to submit applications for a graduate assistant research position in quantum computing. This research initiative aims to establish scalable, cost-effective, and quantum-resilient security standards for next-generation power systems. This graduate research assistantship (GRA) position will assist in advancing secure communication technologies for critical infrastructures by focusing on quantum key distribution (QKD) protocols in power systems. The GRA will contribute to designing, analyzing, and simulating QKD-based communication models that enable practical integration of quantum security into classical power grid environments.
Key responsibilities include developing and testing QKD protocols tailored to power system architectures, assessing resilience against both classical and quantum-enabled cyberattacks, and evaluating performance under real-world grid constraints. The role will also involve constructing adversarial models to simulate potential attack vectors on QKD-enabled communication channels, while designing countermeasures to safeguard grid operations. A significant component of this work will integrate quantum machine learning (QML) techniques to classify and detect attack patterns, enhancing the adaptability and intelligence of QKD-based security frameworks. Students may engage in building QML models to distinguish between benign and malicious activity, improving early detection and response mechanisms for power system cybersecurity.
The GRA will have opportunities to explore interdisciplinary aspects of quantum communications, quantum machine learning, cybersecurity, and power engineering, contributing to both theoretical research and practical implementation strategies.
The GRA will work 20 hours per week with a flexible schedule.
Requirements
- Must be admitted as a full time (9 credit hours), on-campus doctoral student in the Spring/Summer 2026 term at Dakota State University, Madison, SD.
- Hold a Master of Science in computer science with a thesis focus on quantum computing field and familiarity with scope of work defined above.
- Have excellent mathematics skills and a strong understanding of basic physics and science concepts.
- Understanding of quantum computing basics such as qubit representation, matrices, superposition, and entanglement.
- High proficiency in Python programming.
- Familiarity with quantum programming languages and network simulators is a plus.
Compensation
The assistantship will provide full tuition benefits and tuition coverage. The annual stipend is $22,000 spread over 12 months throughout the academic year. The assistantship may be renewed annually for a total of three years while the student completes their doctoral requirements in computer science or related program at Dakota State University. The assistantship renewal is dependent on "satisfactory academic progress and work performance." The appointed GRA will work with skilled mentors, including Dr. Mariam Gado.
Application
All qualifying applicants are encouraged to send a letter of interest and a resume to Dr. Mariam Gado at Mariam.Gado@dsu.edu by November 30, 2025.