Quantum Error Correction Theorist

ZuriQ; Zürich; Hybrid; CHF 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Flexible home office

30 days holiday

Job summary

ZuriQ in Zurich, Switzerland seeks a Quantum Error Correction Theorist to design, analyze, and optimize error correction protocols for trapped-ion architectures. You will bridge theory and hardware, collaborating with experimentalists and software teams to enable practical fault tolerance on scalable ion-trap platforms.

The role emphasizes QEC code design, architecture-aware schemes, decoding strategy development, and close interaction with external partners and academic collaborators.

Qualifications

• Masters or PhD in Physics, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in quantum error correction and fault-tolerant quantum computing.
• Strong analytical and numerical modelling skills.
• Experience with realistic noise models and hardware constraints.
• Proficiency in Python and scientific computing tools (NumPy, SciPy, JAX, QuTiP, STIM, or similar).

Responsibilities

• Design and analyze quantum error correction codes suited for trapped-ion systems (e.g., surface codes, color codes, LDPC codes, bosonic codes).
• Develop architecture-aware fault-tolerant schemes considering realistic noise models (dephasing, motional mode heating, crosstalk, gate infidelity, leakage).
• Optimize syndrome extraction protocols using native trapped-ion gates.
• Model logical error rates under hardware-constrained connectivity in a 2D ion shuttling architecture.
• Collaborate with experimental teams to validate QEC protocols on real hardware.
• Contribute to threshold analysis, decoding strategy development, and resource estimation for large-scale algorithms.
• Publish findings in leading journals and present at major conferences.

Skills

Quantum error correction

Fault-tolerant quantum computing

Numerical modelling

Noise modelling

Education

Master's degree in Physics/Math/CS

PhD in a related field

Tools

Python

NumPy

SciPy

JAX

QuTiP

STIM

Qiskit/Cirq SDKs

Job description

Location: Zurich, SwitzerlandEmployment Type: Full-TimeDepartment: Quantum Architecture Position OverviewWe are seeking a Quantum Error Correction (QEC) Theorist with deep expertise in fault-tolerant quantum computing and a strong understanding of trapped-ion systems or other atomic systems. The successful candidate will design, analyze, and optimize error correction protocols tailored to trapped-ion architectures, bridging theory and hardware implementation. You will collaborate closely with experimental physicists, control engineers, and quantum software teams to enable practical fault tolerance on near-term and scalable ion-trap platforms. You will also be expected to work with external partners and lead collaborations with academic and industrial teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and analyze quantum error correction codes suited for trapped-ion systems (e.g., surface codes, color codes, LDPC codes, bosonic codes).
• Develop architecture-aware fault-tolerant schemes considering realistic noise models (dephasing, motional mode heating, crosstalk, gate infidelity, leakage).
• Optimize syndrome extraction protocols using native trapped-ion gates.
• Model logical error rates under hardware-constrained connectivity in a 2D ion shuttling architecture.
• Collaborate with experimental teams to validate QEC protocols on real hardware.
• Contribute to threshold analysis, decoding strategy development, and resource estimation for large-scale algorithms.
• Publish findings in leading journals and present at major conferences.

Required Qualifications

• Masters or PhD in Physics, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in quantum error correction and fault-tolerant quantum computing.
• Strong analytical and numerical modelling skills.
• Experience working with realistic noise models and hardware constraints.
• Proficiency in Python and scientific computing tools (NumPy, SciPy, JAX, QuTip, STIM, or similar).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with trapped-ion quantum computing architectures.
• Knowledge of decoder implementations (MWPM, belief propagation, neural decoders).
• Familiarity with quantum software frameworks (e.g., Qiskit, Cirq, or hardware-specific SDKs).
• Experience with architectural proposals of at least one of the major competing QC platforms, with preference for dynamically reconfigurable approaches.
• Experience modelling Open Quantum Systems.
• Track record of publications in top-tier journals.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to define the fault-tolerance roadmap for a trapped-ion quantum platform.
• Close collaboration between theory and experiment in a rapidly scaling quantum hardware program.
• Access to cutting-edge ion-trap hardware that breaks away from the mainstream.
• Competitive compensation and equity. Stock option plan that allows you to become a true shareholder in the company.
• Flexible work environment (home office).
• Be part of a dynamic team that operates on four core principles: Excellence, Reliability, Trust & Open Feedback.
• Zurich constantly ranks at or near the top of most liveable cities in the world. Whether you like the arts, sports or nature, Zurich has it all on offer
• 30 days of holiday.

Impact

Your work will directly shape the path toward scalable, fault-tolerant trapped-ion quantum computing—transforming today’s high-fidelity devices into tomorrow’s logical quantum processors.

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive team.