Junior Quantum Engineer (PhD candidate)

QuBriC MSCA DN; Deutschland; Hybrid; EUR 23,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid setup

Flexible hours

Learning Hub access

L&D budget

Flat hierarchy

Job summary

IQM invites applications for a PhD-position in quantum error correction (QEC) on hardware-efficient quantum processors. You will join the QEC Operations team, use Python for experiments, and contribute to calibration, software control, and data analysis to advance QEC performance.

As part of QuBriC, you will collaborate with leading partners and undertake research visits at Chalmers (Gothenburg) and INRIA (Paris).

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a field relevant to quantum computing with excellent academic grades.
• Solid understanding of quantum information processing and quantum computing, including quantum error correction basics.
• Understanding of superconducting qubits and quantum processing units.
• Python software engineering skills, including language features, environments, testing, documentation, and version control.
• Experience conducting laboratory experiments in quantum science or technology through studies or projects.
• Ability to turn work into documented code, methods and results that others can use.

Responsibilities

• Implement, run, and analyze experiments for fundamental QEC operations, including qubit reset and leakage reduction.
• Execute QEC capability benchmarks and demonstration experiments, and report findings clearly.
• Develop features in our quantum computer control software with engineering teams.
• Support QEC calibration of research and customer quantum processors under guidance.
• Keep up with relevant scientific developments and bring new knowledge into the team’s work.
• Write publications, prepare conference talks and contribute to university activities and grant reporting.

Skills

Python

Quantum computing

QEC knowledge

Laboratory experiments

Education

Master’s degree in quantum computing or related field

Tools

Version control

Job description

Engineering » Electronic engineering

Organisation/Company IQM Research Field Physics » Quantum mechanics Computer science » Computer architecture Engineering » Electronic engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 23 Dec 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Berlin) Country Germany Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 15 Jan 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - MSCA Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

At IQM, we build world-leading quantum computers for the well-being of humankind. We design systems to tackle computational challenges beyond the practical limits of classical machines. Our work sits at the edge of science and engineering. It's complex, demanding, and deeply collaborative. We turn deep research into reliable, full-stack systems that drive discoveries in fields like medicine, energy, and technology, reshaping how the world computes.

This position is part of QuBriC , the first European Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network dedicated entirely to QEC. You will join an international cohort of doctoral researchers and collaborate with leading academic and industrial partners, including research visits at Chalmers (Gothenburg) and INRIA (Paris).

Join the team that gives quantum a heartbeat.

The work

The PhD project focuses on successfully implementing and testing quantum error correction (QEC) protocols on hardware-efficient quantum processors (QPUs). You will have access to IQM's co-designed architecture QPU to benchmark QEC code efficiency on those QPUs.

Joining our QEC Operations team, you will combine Python development, experiments on superconducting quantum processors, and data analysis to improve and demonstrate QEC performance. You will develop calibration procedures and fundamental operations such as qubit reset and leakage reduction units. Working with quantum and software engineering teams, you will also contribute to the control software that makes these experiments possible.

Your IQM Team Leader will guide your engineering work, while your PhD supervisor will guide your academic research. Alongside your contributions to IQM’s QEC roadmap, you will write scientific publications, present your findings, and complete the activities required by your host university.

What you’ll actually do

• Implement, run, and analyze experiments for fundamental QEC operations, including qubit reset and leakage reduction.
• Execute QEC capability benchmarks and demonstration experiments, and report findings clearly and accurately.
• Develop features in our quantum computer control software in collaboration with quantum and software engineering teams.
• Support QEC calibration of research and customer quantum processors under guidance, working with calibration and service teams to establish useful workflows.
• Keep up with relevant scientific developments and bring new knowledge into the team’s experimental work.
• Write publications, prepare conference presentations and contribute to university activities, grant reporting and research outreach as part of your PhD.

What we’re looking for

• A master’s degree, or equivalent skills, in a field relevant to quantum computing research and development, with excellent academic grades.
• A solid understanding of quantum information processing and quantum computing, including the basic concepts of quantum error correction.
• An understanding of superconducting qubits and quantum processing units.
• Python software engineering skills, including language features, environments, testing, documentation, and version control.
• Experience conducting laboratory experiments in quantum science or technology through your studies, research projects or equivalent experience.
• An ability to solve problems with guidance and turn your work into documented code, methods and results that others can use.
• Clear written and spoken communication, a collaborative approach and a commitment to reporting technical results accurately.

No prior professional experience beyond your university education is required.

The applicant cannot be in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of the recruitment.

Additional information

• The applicant cannot be in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of the recruitment.
• Duration: The position is funded for three years with expecting starting date in January.
• High-performance playground:We aim high, and we know sustainable performance only works when life outside work does too—hybrid setups, flexible hours.
• Never the smartest: You won’t always be the smartest person in the room. Neither will we. Expect to learn constantly - from each other and beyond with IQM’s Learning Hub, LinkedIn Learning, and a team-based L&D budget.
• Approachable leadership: Flat hierarchy, direct access. Feel free to approach any leaders. They're friendlier than they look!
• The sweet spot: Big enough to matter. Small enough to move fast. Growing between a startup and a corporation. We’re in the phase where top performers get noticed.
• Bigger than IQM:Our people build know-how for the entire quantum ecosystem. We publish papers, run hackathons, and help shape a market that's still being defined.

The future of computing won’t build itself. You might be one of the few who do.

We'll start interviews and move forward with hiring as soon as we meet strong candidates.

600M€+ Total Funding | 400+ Team Members | 30+ Quantum Computers Built | 300+ Patents Filed | 10 Location Globally

IQM is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, inclusion, and gender balance. We evaluate all applicants on merit, regardless of gender, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, or disability. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and underrepresented groups.