Graduate Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physicist

UKRI; England; On-site; GBP 36,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research organization in the UK seeks a graduate for a full-time role in quantum computing. This position at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory offers a chance to work on experimental quantum computing hardware and receive extensive career support. Ideal candidates will have a relevant degree and a strong interest in quantum science. The role also includes a competitive salary and benefits package.

Benefits

30 days holiday

Flexible working hours

Pension scheme

Excellent learning and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Minimum 2:1 degree in a relevant field.
• Right to live and work in the UK.
• Experience in a laboratory, especially laser/optics labs.

Responsibilities

• Support development of quantum computing hardware.
• Contribute to the design and optimisation of quantum systems.
• Communicate progress to NQCC scientists.

Skills

Demonstrable interest in quantum science and technology

Experience in working in a laboratory

Good communication skills

Teamwork ability

Experience in programming in Python

Education

2:1 degree in a relevant field

Tools

Laser systems

Optical tweezer arrays

Job description

Overview

Science and Technology Facilities Council

Salary: £35,049 per annum + £1,000 welcome bonus

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Full-time

Location: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX

Closing date: 19 October 2025

Assessment Centre: December 2025 / January 2026

Start date: September 2026

About the NQCC

The NQCC is the UK's national centre for quantum computing, dedicated to accelerating its development by addressing the challenges of scaling up the technology. Our vision is to enable the UK to solve some of the most sophisticated and challenging problems facing society by harnessing the potential of quantum computing. The centre is working with businesses, government, and the research community to deliver quantum computing capabilities for the UK and support the growth of the emerging industry.

The NQCC's programme represents a £93m investment and is being delivered jointly by the research councils, EPSRC and STFC, as part of UK Research and Innovation. The centre is headquartered within STFC's Rutherford Appleton Laboratory site at the Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire.

Graduate Scheme

The STFC Graduate scheme will give you the opportunity to really pursue your interests and passion early in your journey with us, supported by technical training and a broader programme of career support and training and development. Our dedicated Graduate Development Team will provide the right combination of challenge and support throughout, helping you achieve your ambitions. We know that professional recognition is also important to you too, so we will provide mentoring and expertise to help you achieve valued qualifications or chartered status in your chosen field.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Working with our scientists in the NQCC's Neutral Atom Quantum Computing Team, our graduates will be encouraged to support the development of tweezer array quantum computing hardware. Your skills will be championed within an encouraging and multidisciplinary environment, as part of the centre's mission to build scalable quantum computing platforms. There will be the opportunity to join one or more of the following areas:

• Hands-on experimental development (optical tweezer arrays, laser systems, vacuum systems, control electronics etc.)
• Qubit state preparation and manipulation, measurements, and data analysis
• Software for experimental control and automation
• Horizon scoping and project planning

This is an ideal opportunity for someone who enjoys working both independently and as a teammate and has a strong curiosity about quantum science and emerging quantum technologies.

Key responsibilities include:

• Contributing to the design, development, assembly, and optimisation of neutral atom quantum computing systems
• Communicating progress to and discussing results with NQCC scientists
• Representing the NQCC at STFC and external events with commercial and academic partners and collaborators
• Chipping in to software and experimental control systems

Person Specification

In order to apply for the role we are looking for the following:

Essential:

• Achieved, or be on course to achieve, a minimum 2:1 degree, in a relevant field of study
• Have the right to live and work in the UK at time of starting employment
• A demonstrable interest in quantum science and technology
• Experience in working in a laboratory - especially laser / optics labs
• Good communication skills
• Experience working in a team, and able to demonstrate autonomy within their area of responsibility
• Experience in programming in Python (or similar languages)

Desirable:

• Familiarity with core concepts of quantum computing
• Familiarity with atomic, molecular and optical physics

Employee Benefits

We are offering a permanent position with a whole host of benefits including:

• 30 days holiday (in addition to 10.5 bank holidays and privilege days).
• Flexible working hours.
• An excellent defined average salary pension scheme.
• Easily accessible public transport links/ free parking.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.
• Cycle to work scheme.

Link to more benefits: https://stfccareers.co.uk/rewards-and-benefits/

As this job does not fulfil the UK Government minimum criterion for obtaining sponsored migrant worker status we will be unable to apply for sponsorship for anyone not eligible to work in the UK. At interview, all shortlisted candidates are required to bring with them identification documents and original documents that prove they hold or can obtain the right to work in the UK. You can check your eligibility here: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y

Application Guidance

Please note that we can only accept a maximum of 2 applications per candidate.

Part of our application process involves submitting your CV and a cover letter. Your cover letter should address your suitability for the opportunity based how you meet each essential criteria stated in this advert.

Please note that we hold the right to close this vacancy early if a sufficient number of applications have been received.

We ask some of the biggest questions in the universe, to answer some of the biggest challenges in the world. Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers and business support team explore the unknown across every field you could think of. And they turn what they find into work that changes the world around us.

What could you achieve with the world-leading facilities and experts of one of Europe\'s largest research organisations by your side? Join us and discover what\'s possible!

About Us

UKRI - UK Research and Innovation

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

Supporting some of the world\'s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

More information can be found at www.ukri.org.

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI.

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit 'How we support EDI in the workforce'.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all applicants with a disability who opt into the disability confident scheme and meet the minimum criteria for the role. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the 'experience' section of the application.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion - a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

About the Team

The Science and Technology Facilities Council is a world-leading multi-disciplinary science organisation where curiosity-driven, blue-skies thinking meets practical, application-led science and engineering. Our goal is to deliver economic, societal, scientific and international benefits to the UK and its people - and more broadly to the world.

One of Europe\'s largest research organisations, we\'re trusted to support, enable and undertake cutting-edge projects in an amazing diversity of fields. Through world-class facilities and people, we are driving ground-breaking advances in science, engineering, computing and technology. Our research seeks to understand the Universe from the largest astronomical scales to the tiniest constituents of matter, yet creates impact on a very tangible, human scale.

For more information about STFC please visit https://stfc.ukri.org/

You can also visit our careers site https://www.stfccareers.co.uk/