Quantum Gaming

Opportunity Description:


Professor Kawalek’s hypothesis that game play can provide the imagination with what physicist Richard Feynman described as the “terrible straight-jacket” of adherence to the core principles of quantum physics is being investigated during the 2021-2022 academic year. Led by Professor Kawalek, Dr. Russell Ceballos (Chicago Quantum Exchange) and Physical Sciences grad students, the research group is investigating games from a starting point of three papers focused on quantum information-adapted games: - Fuchs, Franz G. et al. "Quantum Poker—a game for quantum computers suitable for benchmarking error mitigation techniques on NISQ devices". The European Physical Journal Plus 135. 4(2020). - Lin, Joseph X. et al. "Quantum blackjack: Advantages offered by quantum strategies in communication-limited games". Physical Review A 102. (2020): 012425 - Salimi, S. et al. "Investigation of quantum roulette." International Journal of Quantum Information Vol. 7, No. 3 615-626 (2009).

Primary Responsibilities: 

The undergraduate researchers will join an interdisciplinary team focused on quantum games development led by Chemistry grad student Kaan Tarhan. The team will play and analyze existing games for potential to adapt for exploration of quantum core principles as well as invent, prototype and playtest adaptations and original game ideas. The students commit to participate in weekly 3-hour work sessions with the full team, contribute an estimated 6 hours of independent/team research weekly, attend weekly Kawalek Group Lab Meetings and present own research once per quarter, help produce and run monthly games playtests on campus as well as at the American Physical Society annual meeting in Chicago (March 13-18, 2022), solicit and synthesize feedback and analyze results.

Minimum Qualifications and/or Eligibility Requirements: 

-Imagination and flexibility for approaching research as a means to investigate scientific topics and creative metaphors through an applied, interdisciplinary and iterative process. -Comfortable working independently and enthusiasm for working collaboratively. -Strong work ethic. -Punctuality and regularity in meeting and events attendance. -Team player.


Preferred Skills: 

The undergraduate researchers will have games/puzzles experience and interest, and/or coding skills (or aptitude and interest in developing), and/or visual art/graphic design skills.

Knowledge or skills gained from the experience: 

How to research and communicate complex ideas through developing tools that have high relatability, great explanatory/educational power, and are engaging/memorable.

Application Process: 

Apply by emailing to stagelab@uchicago.edu: - your CV, including GPA - cover letter - number of hours per week you can commit Along with a short statement describing both: Your previous gaming experience, and why you're interested doing theoretical and experimental research to develop games as science communication tools. and What experience/knowledge do you have of quantum physics, if any?

Application Deadline: 

Monday, September 20, 2021

Application Requirements: 

  • Submit CV
  • 350 Word Statement of Interest
  • Unofficial Transcript
    • For more information on this opportunity, please contact:

    Nancy Kawalek
    stagelab@uchicago.edu
    Faculty Title: 
    Professor and Distinguished Fellow in the Arts, Sciences and Technology
    Department: 
    Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering - STAGE Lab
    Website/CV: 
    STAGE Lab Founder/Director