Senior Scientist, Quantum Sensing (Atom Interferometry)

Entangled Future; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Q-CTRL seeks a Senior Scientist in Sydney to provide technical leadership for experimental science work on atom-interferometry based quantum sensors. The role focuses on reducing scientific risk across novel techniques to improve sensor performance.

The candidate will collaborate with quantum sensing researchers and engineering teams to advance field-ready quantum sensor capabilities and contribute to publications and presentations.

Qualifications

• PhD in physics, engineering or closely related field.
• Hands-on experience developing and operating cold-atom interferometry hardware.
• Experience with quantum sensor operation, automation and data fusion.
• Experience operating atom interferometers outside lab environments in transportable/mobile setups.

Responsibilities

• Lead experimental work on atom-interferometry based quantum sensors.
• Collaborate with experimental physicists, quantum control engineers and hardware specialists.
• Develop and analyze next-generation sensors to maximize sensitivity and robustness.
• Help reduce SWaP and ruggedize lab systems for field deployment.
• Share findings with the team, external stakeholders, and in publications.

Skills

Python (scientific computing)

Automation

Data fusion

Education

PhD in Physics or Engineering

Tools

Cold-atom interferometry hardware

Job description

Senior Scientist, Quantum Sensing (Atom Interferometry) at Q-CTRL, Sydney. A senior-level full time position in the Sensing Research team, listed under research.

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.

The Quantum Sensing Research and Quantum Sensing R&D teams work closely together, translating novel quantum sensing research into a useful capability and product. We are focussed on pushing the boundary of what is possible in quantum sensing and ensuring our R&D has real-world impact.

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 .

Responsibilities

• 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.

Nice to 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.
• 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.