Fourth Time a Charm?

Three strikes…

Dear Dr. Bacon,
We regret the delay in obtaining a review on your manuscript.
The paper has been sent to three referees who have not provided
reports. We are now sending to a fourth referee asking that he/she
expedite review. As soon as we have additional information, we
will advise and thank you for your patience.

But, wait, who is out?

OQIS? Oh, yes.

Optical quantum information science position in Bristol:

Based in the Departments of Physics and Electrical and Electronic Engineering, you will work in the Centre for Quantum Photonics in the area of optical quantum information science. We have a world-leading Centre for Quantum Photonics spanning Physics and Electrical Engineering. This group is active in several EU, US, Australian and UK programs. Areas being studied include: single photon sources from quantum dots and diamond, pair photon sources from photonic crystal fibres, multi-photon quantum interference, quantum communication, optical quantum computing, quantum measurement, and quantum metrology.
We currently have an opening for a Postdoctoral Researcher in the area of optical quantum measurement and quantum information. This project will involve generalised quantum measurements with single photons and quantum information processing. It will use photons generated via nonlinear crystals, as well as the photonic crystal fibres sources developed by Prof. John Rarity at Bristol. You will have postgraduate experience in experimental physics or related discipline. You may also have experience in single photon quantum optics or experimental quantum information science. General laboratory experience in interfacing equipment and data processing, and a willingness to supervise graduate students will also be necessary.
This position is offered for two years in the first instance, with possible extension to four years. If successful, you may be appointed either on a fixed term or a permanent contract depending on the extent of your previous relevant research experience. Further information can be found at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/personnel/ftc/

I was once kicked into a club with Jeremey O’Brien.

Mundane!

Patrick points me to Working for the Revolution by Freeman Dyson, which is a review of
Faust in Copenhagen: A Struggle for the Soul of Physics by Gino Segrè which contains this gem:

Theoretical physicists are now divided into two main factions. Those who
look forward to another revolution mostly believe that it will grow out of
a grand mathematical scheme known as string theory. Those who are content
with the outcome of the old revolution are mostly studying more mundane
subjects such as high-temperature superconductors and quantum computers.
String theory may be considered to be the counterattack of those who lost
the debate over complementarity in physics in Copenhagen in 1932. It is
the revenge of the heirs of Einstein against the heirs of Bohr. The new
discipline of systems biology, describing living creatures as emergent
dynamic organizations rather than as collections of molecules, is the
counterattack of those who lost the debate over complementarity in biology
in 1953. It is the revenge of the heirs of Bohr against the heirs of
Einstein.

You heard that correctly. Quantum computing is mundane.

Elevator Buttons

Is there a simple reason why elevator floor buttons cannot be reset by a second push of the button?
Update: A comment reminded me of the first time I remember being able to ride on an elevator (at the time there was no elevators in Yreka.) It was at a Little People of America convention in Reno, Nevada (my sister is a little person.) They had installed these nice ramps so that the little people could reach all of the buttons. But for a little tyrant like myself, what this meant was that I could get into the elevator, run up the ramp, quickly press all the buttons and then get off at the next floor. Proceed to the next elevator and repeat. Ah, such fun.

PI Postdocs

Yes, it’s that time of year. The leaves are turning orange, sending a color coded signal to your head that it is, once again, time to apply for jobs. Here’s one from the center of the quantum computing universe (the existence of a prefered reference frame does not imply that the laws of physics aren’t Lorentz invariant in all (*ahem* intertial *ahem*) reference frames):

Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics is accepting applications for postdoctoral positions in the areas of quantum gravity, string theory, quantum information, cosmology, quantum foundations and particle physics. Applicants in related areas, such as condensed matter physics, are also encouraged to apply. The postdoctoral positions are normally for a period of three years. Outstanding candidates may also be considered for a senior postdoctoral position with a five-year term.
The deadline for applications is November 5, 2007, but applications will be considered until all positions are filled.
Further information and an online application can be found here: http://www.perimeterinstitute.ca/postdoctoralresearcher

If the Santa Fe Institute is the Ivory Tower, the Perimeter Institute is its Canadian sister (blessed be the Canadian dollar which is bring dollars Seattle’s way.)