Senior Research Scientist - Fault Tolerant Quantum Algorithms

Location: This position can work onsite or hybrid from one of our offices (College Park, MD, Bothell, WA, Toronto, Canada, Gothenburg, Sweden) or fully remote in the US.

Travel: Up to 10%, domestic or international.

Job ID: 1683

The Role:

We are looking for a Senior Research Scientist – Fault-Tolerant Quantum Algorithms to join a cross-functional team that uses IonQ’s quantum computers to create highly differentiated quantum solutions that will bring value to society. As a Senior Research Scientist – Fault-Tolerant Quantum Algorithms, you’ll be part of a multi-generational journey to solve the world’s most complex problems using the world’s best quantum computers built at IonQ.

As a deep technical expert on fault-tolerant algorithms, you will help develop next generation quantum algorithms that are poised to exceed state-of-the-art classical methods. You will develop core IP, computational resource models, implementation libraries, long-term roadmaps, and end-to-end workflows that have the potential to disrupt the field of computing. You will also work closely with internal and external customers/partners to brainstorm new ideas, contribute to multi-year initiatives, and represent IonQ at high-visibility technical conferences (often all in a single day)!

Responsibilities:

Develop fault-tolerant quantum solutions that can make a large scientific and commercial impact across a wide range of industry verticals

Be part of a client-facing team that finds, defines, and solves problems of real-world interest using IonQ trapped-ion quantum computers

Contribute technical expertise toward comparisons of FTQC algorithms vs NISQ algorithms vs classical HPC algorithms. Contribute knowledge of metrics and tools (classical and quantum) to evaluate and communicate pros/cons, current state-of-the-art, scaling behavior, trade offs, cross-over points, etc.

Discover foundational IP and publish results in high-impact-factor peer-reviewed journals and conferences

You’d be a good fit with:

2+ years of professional experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Documented expertise in FTQC algorithms with line-of-sight to end-customer value i.e. millions of qubits, billions of gates

Ability to contribute to the FTQC algorithm community, including the development of tools (libraries, simulators, compilers), metrics (costing, resource estimation, ROI) and community (economic development, standards).

Relentless dedication to optimizing algorithm performance (accuracy, time-to-solution) through elegant theoretical equations, as well as engineering optimization and implementation

Proven track record of domain expertise in fault-tolerant quantum computing, demonstrated through invited talks, repos, licenses, publications, and/or patents

Experience being part of a team that finds, defines, and solves problems of real-world interest. Good team player with excellent communication skills.

You’d be a great fit with:

Ph.D. in computer science, math, engineering, physics, or related fields

Experience supporting writing and executing on government contracts

Demonstrated expertise in C++, Python, Qiskit or similar quantum SDK

Demonstrated experience benchmarking quantum algorithms using varied metrics

Success working directly with customers to define and deliver solutions

Experience developing hybrid end-to-end solutions in a production or cloud environment; knowledge of CI/CD a plus

The approximate base salary range for this position is $145,920 - $191,047. The total compensation package includes base, bonus, equity, and a range of benefit options found on our career site.