QEC Researcher (Frontier)

Riverlane; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Private medical insurance

Life insurance

Contributory pension scheme

Equity

Job summary

Riverlane in Cambridge, UK, is seeking a QEC Researcher for the Frontier team. The role blends research with software development, focusing on the QEC decoder and compiler stack.

You will join a tight-knit group working with Riverlane’s R&D teams, with support to build knowledge in quantum computing on the job. You will collaborate with internal teams and external partners to advance QEC protocols, write code, and publish findings at conferences.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in Mathematics, Physics, or Computer Science.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to tackle ambiguous problems.
• Knowledge of at least one programming language (Python or C++).
• Experience with collaborative software development practices, including GitHub.
• Eagerness to learn and collaborate across teams.

Responsibilities

• Test and evaluate QEC decoder solutions; translate research into production-ready code.
• Develop both scientific and software engineering skills; shape career toward research or engineering.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to optimize QEC protocols and experiments.
• Write clean, well-structured code to test ideas and contribute to the compiler and QEC software stack.
• Write papers and present work at conferences.

Skills

Problem-solving

Python/C++

Learning on the job

Collaborative work

Education

Undergraduate degree in Math/Physics/CS

Tools

GitHub

Version control

Job description

Cambridge, UK | Full-time | Permanent | Hybrid

Salary: £50,000 to £85,000 DOE

The salary range for this role is broad, as we are able to consider varying levels of experience.Any offer made will carefully take into account level of experience (including relevant industry experience), transferable relevant skills and previous relevant achievements.

About us

Riverlane’smission is to master quantum error correction (QEC) and unlock a new age of human progress. From advances in material and climate science, to complex chemistry simulation for new drug design, quantum computers will help humanity solve some of its most important challenges. But without QEC, the industry’s defining technical challenge, breakthroughs can never be achieved.Riverlane is the world leader in QEC technology. QEC is a complex problem that requires a range of skills,talentand passion.

Having raised more than $125M in funding to date to accelerate our cutting-edge R&D in quantum error correction (QEC), Riverlane partners with many of the world’s leading quantum hardware providers and government agencies to make fault-tolerant quantum computing a reality.We’re making remarkable progress and growing fast.

About the role

As a QEC Researcher on our Frontier team, you will help us develop the world’s first QEC stack that will unlock useful quantum computing. The Frontier team sits at the intersection of science and engineering, spending roughly equal time on research and software development, with a particular focus on the QEC decoder and compiler stack.

You will join a small, tight-knit team of scientists and engineers. The team works closely with Riverlane's research and development teams, so collaboration is central to how the work gets done. Prior knowledge of quantum computing or quantum error correction is useful but not essential as we will support you in building that knowledge on the job.

Collaborating extensively with other teams within Riverlane, as well as with world-leading external partners, this critical work will directly contribute to Deltaflow, Riverlane’s real-time QEC system.

What you will do

• Work closely with the team to test and evaluate potential solutions for the QEC decoder and help convert early-stage research concepts into production-ready implementation
• Build practical QEC expertise alongside experienced team members, developing both scientific and software engineering skills, with the opportunity to shape your career toward research or engineering as your interests develop
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to propose and optimise QEC protocols and experiments
• Write clean, well-structured code to test scientific ideas and contribute to the compiler and broader QEC software stack
• Write papers and present work at conferences

What we need

• An undergraduate degree in Mathematics, Physics, or Computer Science (or a closely related field)
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to take an ambiguous or loosely defined problem and work through it methodically
• Knowledge of at least one programming language (Python or C++ preferred)
• Experience with collaborative software development practices, including version control (e.g. GitHub)
• A genuine eagerness to learn. You pick up new concepts quickly and are comfortable beinglearning on the job
• A collaborative working style, where you are comfortable asking questions, sharing work in progress, and building on others’ ideas

Even better if you have

• Exposure to compilers, quantum error correction or quantum computing
• Strong fundamentals in computer science and software engineering

What can you expect from us

• A comprehensive benefits package that includesan annual bonus plan,private medical insurance, life insurance, and acontributory pension scheme
• Equity, so that our team can share in the long-term success of Riverlane
• 28 days annual leave,plus bank holidays and enhanced family leave
• A diverse work environment that brings together experts in many fields (including software and hardware development, quantum information theory,physicsand maths) and over 20 different nationalities
• A learning environment that encourages individual, team and company growth anddevelopment, including a regular programme of learning events and training and conference budgets

Everyone is welcome at Riverlane. We are an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from eligible and suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender reassignment, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity/paternity.

Women and other underrepresented groups may be less likely to apply for a role unless they meet all ornearly allof the requirements.If this applies to you, we still encourage you to apply - you may be a great fit, even if youdon’tmeet every single qualification.We’dlove to hear from you.

If you need any adjustments made to the application or selection process so you can do your best, please let us know. We will be happy to help.

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