Giovanni Scala
Incoming Assistant Professor and SONATA 21 Principal Investigator (from November 2026)
Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Informatics, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
About
I am a theoretical physicist working at the interface of quantum information, quantum communication, quantum foundations, mathematical physics, and quantum optics. My research develops practical ways to certify and protect quantum resources under realistic constraints, including finite data, noise, loss, imperfect devices, and restricted measurement access.
Current themes include finite-size security in quantum key distribution, device-independent methods and self-testing, entanglement detection through randomized measurements, quantum error filtration, Bell nonlocality, and quantum machine learning. Earlier work spans positive maps and entanglement witnesses, light-matter interaction, and correlation plenoptic imaging.
From November 2026, I will join Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń as an Assistant Professor and Principal Investigator of the NCN SONATA 21 project Dynamical Resource for Multipartite Quantum Systems (grant 2025/59/D/ST2/02708; November 2026–October 2029).
- Quantum information and communication
- Quantum key distribution and finite-size security
- Entanglement detection and randomized measurements
- Bell nonlocality, contextuality, and self-testing
- Quantum error mitigation and protection
- Quantum machine learning
- Quantum optics and imaging
- Mathematical physics and positive maps
PhD in Theoretical Physics, 2021
University of Bari
Master degree in Theoretical Physics, 2017
University of Bari
BSc in Physics, 2015
University of Bari
Research Themes
Quantum correlations from foundations to applications.
Selected Publications
A cross-section of recent work in secure communication, entanglement certification, quantum foundations, and noise mitigation.
Experience
Grants, Projects, and Awards
Independent funding, collaborative projects, mobility support, and distinctions.
Principal-investigator grant
- NCN SONATA 21 (November 2026–October 2029) — Principal Investigator, Dynamical Resource for Multipartite Quantum Systems (DyResQ), grant 2025/59/D/ST2/02708, hosted at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń.
Project membership
- AccessQKD (from 2025) — quantum key distribution and future-proof data protection.
- Quantum Secure Networks Partnership (QSNP) (2023–2026) — European Quantum Flagship research on secure quantum communication.
- QuantERA-supported quantum cybersecurity research (2022–2024).
Fellowships and mobility
- SAIA Research Scholarship (2025/26), Slovak Academy of Sciences.
- Erasmus+ Teacher Mobility (2026).
- PROM International Exchange Fellowship (2020), Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń.
- TAPS Research Internship Award (2018), Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń.
Awards
- Rector’s Award, University of Gdańsk (2023).
- Distinguished Referee recognition, The European Physical Journal Plus (2021).
Teaching
Research-led teaching across undergraduate, master’s, doctoral, and summer-school programmes.
My teaching combines mathematical precision with physical intuition, computation, and examples drawn from current research. Recent courses span physics, group theory, information theory, quantum cryptography, general probabilistic theories, and quantum information.
Selected Talks
Recent presentations on randomized measurements, Bell nonlocality, self-testing, and quantum communication.
- QUTE, Bratislava (September 2026): Maximal violation in general Bell scenarios.
- QuOI, Vienna (June 2026): Entanglement detection from randomized measurements.
- QCrypt, Sanya (August 2025): Self-testing tilted strategies for maximal loophole-free nonlocality.
Research Software
Open research code supporting work in entanglement theory, Bell nonlocality, and uncertainty relations.
Selected public repositories include Self-testing tilted CHSH, 3×3 optimal entanglement witnesses, Bell inequalities, and XYZ uncertainty relations.
Contact
Research collaborations, seminar invitations, and enquiries about the DyResQ project are welcome.
Email Giovanni Scala · ORCID · Google Scholar · GitHub · LinkedIn · ResearchGate · Scopus · Web of Science · SciProfiles
Open Positions
Join the DyResQ project at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń.
Two positions are planned within the NCN SONATA 21 project Dynamical Resource for Multipartite Quantum Systems:
- PhD position — multipartite quantum resources, open-system dynamics, and quantum-information methods.
- Postdoctoral position — theoretical quantum information, entanglement, and mathematical methods for quantum dynamics.
The official calls, deadlines, requirements, and application links have not yet been announced. This section will be updated when the positions formally open. In the meantime, prospective applicants may contact Giovanni Scala privately for further information or send a concise expression of interest.