Senior Scientist, Quantum Sensing (Atom Interferometry)

Matchbox; Sydney; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Q-CTRL is seeking a technical leader for its Quantum Sensing Research team in Australia. You will reduce scientific risk across novel atom-interferometry techniques and help make quantum sensors field-ready.

Applicants should have a PhD and hands-on experience with cold-atom interferometry hardware, quantum sensing, and data fusion. You’ll collaborate across engineering and research divisions to advance state-of-the-art sensors.

Qualifications

• PhD in Physics or Engineering or closely related field.
• Experimental experience developing and operating cold-atom interferometry hardware.
• Knowledge of handling systematics and optimal signal extraction from atom interferometers.
• Experience in quantum sensor operation, automation and data fusion.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for experimental science work on atom-interferometry based quantum sensors.
• Reduce scientific risk across novel techniques to improve sensor performance.
• Collaborate with quantum sensing teams to reduce SWaP and increase ruggedness of lab systems.
• Contribute to publications, reports and internal/ external communications.
• Work with colleagues across divisions to advance the quantum sensing program.

Skills

Cold-atom interferometry

Quantum sensing

Python programming

Automation

Education

PhD in Physics or Engineering

Tools

Python

Data fusion

Job description

About the team

Q-CTRL’s Quantum Sensing Research team performs basic and applied research in quantum sensing and quantum-enabled navigation. It is a highly dynamic team comprising approximately 30 specialists in theoretical and experimental atomic physics, cold-atom interferometry, navigation modeling, and modern Bayesian estimation and signal processing techniques.

About the role

This role will provide critical technical leadership for experimental science work on Q-CTRL’s atom-interferometry based quantum sensors. This position will be focussed on reducing scientific risk across a broad range of novel techniques that aim to improve state-of-the art quantum sensor performance.

Additionally, you will contribute to the efficient and effective functioning of Q-CTRL. This will sometimes include helping out regardless of boundaries of responsibility to help us achieve our mission of making quantum technology useful.

What you’ll be doing:

• You will be part of an established and growing team focused on quantum sensing for a variety of industry sectors such as Aerospace, Defence, geophysical exploration and Earth observation.
• Work closely with our experimental physicists, quantum control engineers, and sensor hardware specialists to implement quantum control protocols on real quantum sensor hardware.
• Assisting with development, operation and analysis of next-generation atom interferometer based quantum sensors to achieve maximum sensitivity and robustness for various applications.
• Work with the Quantum Sensing Engineering teams to reduce SWaP and increase ruggedness of lab-based systems used to operate next generation quantum sensors and prepare them for fielded environments.
• Collaborate with your colleagues in the Quantum Sensing Research Division, the Quantum Sensing Engineering Division, and the company more broadly.
• Share your insights into control-augmented quantum sensing with the broader Quantum Sensing Division, company, external stakeholders and customers through verbal presentations and written outlets (e.g. academic publications, technical reports, blog posts).
• Other duties within the Employee's skills and experience, or with reasonable training.

Ideally you’ll have:

• A PhD in Physics, Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• Experimental experience developing and operating cold-atom interferometry hardware.
• Knowledge of handling systematics and optimal signal extraction from atom interferometers.
• Experience in quantum sensor operation, automation and data fusion.
• Finally, you will have a strong desire to work with a world leading team and a company that is fundamentally building the future of the quantum technology industry.

Bonus points if you have (but not essential):

• Experience operating atom interferometers outside of laboratory environments in transportable or mobile configurations.
• An understanding of dominant performance limits in fieldable systems.
• Expertise with Python programming language for scientific computing.