AMO Physicist - Inertial Sensing

Infleqtion UK; Kidlington; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonus scheme

Pension contribution 10%

Cycle to work scheme

Private healthcare

Job summary

Infleqtion is expanding its UK physics team in Kidlington, Oxford. We seek an experimental AMO physicist to contribute to inertial sensing projects and future quantum devices, collaborating with physicists and engineers.

You'll translate product goals into atomic designs, run simulations, test plans, and integrate optical, mechanical, electronic subsystems. A PhD in AMO and hands-on laser experience are essential.

Qualifications

• PhD in experimental AMO physics required.
• Knowledge of atom interferometry for inertial sensing applications.
• Experience working with laser systems; optical design, alignment, and control.
• Working knowledge of control systems and signal processing.
• Proficiency in Python.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Translate product requirements into atomic system designs.
• Execute modelling, simulation, and analytical calculations to design systems meeting product performance.
• Design and execute testing and verification plans.
• Integrate complex opto-mechanical systems, electronics, and software into quantum devices.
• Document progress and resolve project issues.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop commercial and non-commercial quantum projects.

Skills

AMO physics

Atom interferometry

Laser systems

Control systems

Python

MS Office

Communication

Education

PhD in experimental AMO physics

Tools

SolidWorks

Zemax

Altium

Job description

Infleqtion is a global quantum technology company solving the world's most challenging problems. The company harnesses quantum mechanics to build and integrate quantum computers, sensors, and networks. From fundamental physics to leading edge commercial products, Infleqtion enables "quantum everywhere" through our ecosystem of devices and platforms. Our mission is to commercialise atom-based quantum products that provide orders of magnitude improvements in performance and computing applications.

Location

Infleqtion has offices in the USA, United Kingdom and Australia. This is a full-time position in our Kidlington, Oxford office. Our flexible working policy enables all full-time employees to work up to 2 days a week from home as work permits.

Position Summary

As part of our strategy for growth in the UK, we are expanding our Physics Department and recruiting an experimental AMO Physicist for inertial sensing applications. In this role, you will actively contribute to ongoing research projects and assist in the exploration of new concepts and approaches for future products. This will cover either our continuous beam atom inertial sensor for navigation applications or our Bose Einstein Condensate platform for gravimetry applications, or both. Working closely with a team of physicists and engineers, you will play a vital role in the collaborative efforts of the team.

Job Responsibilities

Project Support

• Translate product requirements into atomic system designs.
• Execute modelling, simulation, and analytical calculations to design systems required to meet product performance.
• Design and execute testing and verification plans.
• Integrate complex opto-mechanical systems, electronics, and software into quantum devices.
• Perform technical tasks needed for the success of the project from equipment setup to system demonstration.
• Identify materials and components to meet project requirements.
• Document project progress and identify, track and resolve any project issues.

Team Collaboration

• Work collaboratively with team members against tight deadlines.
• Collaborate with fellow physicists, engineers, and technicians to perform technical laboratory tasks needed for the success of the project, from equipment setup to system demonstration.
• Ability to work with multi-disciplinary teams to develop commercial and non-commercial products and/or draft new quantum-led projects.
• Capable of handling changing circumstances and ambiguity.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Contribute to external reports and publications, author/co-author papers, proposals, presentations and reports, give invited talks, attend project workshops and conferences.

Requirements

What you will bring to the team:

Technical Knowledge

• PhD in experimental atomic, molecular, and optical (AMO) physics.
• Knowledge of atom interferometry for inertial sensing applications
• Experience working with laser systems; optical design, alignment, and control
• Working knowledge of control systems and signal processing
• Proficiency in a programming language (e.g. Python)
• Entrepreneurial drive, intellectual agility and personal eagerness to develop with the needs of the business.
• Proficient in MS Office
• Good verbal and written communication skills, able to effectively share information with technical and non-technical staff, both in writing and orally
• Good collaboration skills, able to work in a team environment where engagement and participation are an expected part of successful job performance.

Experience

• Experimental and theoretical familiarity with the interactions of light with atoms, ions, or molecules
• Proven track record of integrating complex hardware and software into systems
• Understanding of ultra-high vacuum
• Familiarity with mechanical, optical, and electronic design packages (e.g. Solidworks, Zemax, Altium)
• Prior experience in project management is a plus.
• Understanding of Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) practices and modeling workplace safety culture.

Working Conditions And Physical Requirements

Work will normally be performed in an office and laboratory environment and around technical equipment including computers and lasers. Able to sit, stand, bend, lift and carry up to 15 kg without assistance. Able to efficiently use automated office equipment such as laptops, copiers, and printers; able to effectively engage in communications (via phone, computer, or in-person). Any required Personal Protective Equipment will be provided and must be properly used in accordance with company requirements.

Benefits

In addition to your base compensation, we offer a generous Total Rewards program which includes:

• Competitive salary
• Bonus scheme
• Unlimited PTO subject to fair usage
• Generous company 10% pension contribution regardless of employee contribution
• Cycle to workscheme
• Tax efficient technology schemes
• Incentive Stock Option Plan
• BUPA Private Healthcare Insurance once probationary period is successfully completed
• Life Assurance (4 x salary)

Travel

Up to 10% travel may be required.

Equal Opportunity

Regardless of your interest in the quantum industry, you can take pride in the fact that Infleqtion is building an ecosystem of quantum technologies and commercial products, driving the industry towards the future. Studies reveal that while men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the requirements, women and other groups tend to apply only when they meet all the criteria. If you believe you have the potential but don't meet every single point in our job advertisement, please don't hesitate to contact us! We would love to chat with you and see how you could bring great value to our team. Our goal is to find exceptional individuals who can enrich our team culture, actively contribute, and have a genuine passion for their work. Here you have freedom to embrace your whole self: who you love, your gender identity and expression, skin colour, age, appearance, disability, neurodiversity, DNA, military/veteran status, citizenship, and other factors that make up who you are. Your uniqueness is valued, welcomed, and appreciated here. We are dedicated to providing a positive workplace and base all employment decisions on your qualifications, performance, merits, as well as business needs. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Notice to Recruitment Agencies

Infleqtion does not accept unsolicited CV's from agencies. Infleqtion is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited CV's.