QEC Researcher (Quantum Simulations)

Riverlane; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Private medical insurance

Life insurance

Contributory pension

Equity

28 days annual leave

Job summary

Riverlane in Cambridge is seeking a QEC Researcher (Quantum Simulation) to develop and extend simulation tools for fault‑tolerant quantum computing and QEC. You will work on circuits dominated by Clifford operations and contribute to large‑scale studies of quantum error channels.

The role involves collaboration with QEC teams, publishing, and presenting research while refining simulation techniques and performance analyses. A PhD and strong analytical skills are essential.

Qualifications

• PhD in a mathematically focused discipline (physics, theoretical chemistry, mathematics or computer science).
• Strong academic record and ability to work on quantum error correction and quantum algorithms.

Responsibilities

• Develop and improve simulation tools for fault‑tolerant quantum computing and quantum error correction.
• Research and implement efficient simulation techniques for Clifford and near‑Clifford quantum circuits.
• Design and execute numerical studies to evaluate logical operations, decoder performance and fault‑tolerant protocols.
• Engage in academic research activities, including literature reviews, journal clubs, writing papers and presenting at conferences.
• Write code to test scientific ideas and contribute to software‑focused research outputs and products.
• Lead or contribute to projects with small, cross‑disciplinary teams.
• Collaborate with Riverlane teams to integrate research with related areas.
• Build and maintain relationships with industry and academic partners.

Skills

Quantum simulation

Clifford circuits

Numerical simulations

Collaboration

Communication

Education

PhD in physics / mathematics / computer science

Tools

Simulation tools

Job description

Cambridge, UK | Full-time | Permanent | Hybrid

Salary: £70,000 - £85,000

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.

We will also consider part-time applications for this role. Please indicate your preferred working schedule in your cover letter.

About us

Riverlane’s mission 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, such breakthroughs can never be achieved. Riverlane is the world leader in QEC technology. QEC is a complex problem that requires a range of skills, talent and 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 (Quantum Simulation) at Riverlane, you will work on the development and application of classical simulation techniques for fault‑tolerant quantum computing and quantum error correction.

The team brings together mathematicians, physicists and chemists, and works closely with leading researchers in quantum algorithms and QEC. A core part of the role is contributing to the academic community through publications and conference participation.

This role focuses on enhancing and extending existing simulation tools to support the analysis, validation and optimisation of quantum error‑correction systems. This includes developing simulation capabilities for circuits dominated by Clifford operations, investigating the accuracy, complexity and limitations of simulation approximations, and enabling large‑scale studies of quantum error channels for non‑Clifford QEC circuits and decoder performance.

Your work may include optimising quantum circuit compilation for specific QEC primitives, analysing circuits for their effective error channels, and working to improve existing magic state preparation techniques in a hardware informed way.

You’ll collaborate closely with other QEC teams at Riverlane, including those working on logical operations, decoding and QEC code design across different qubit platforms.

What you will do

• Develop and improve simulation tools for fault‑tolerant quantum computing and quantum error correction.
• Research and implement efficient simulation techniques for Clifford and near‑Clifford quantum circuits.
• Design and execute numerical studies to evaluate logical operations, decoder performance and fault‑tolerant protocols.
• Engage in academic research activities, including reading and reviewing literature, participating in journal clubs, writing papers and presenting work at conferences.
• Write code to test scientific ideas and contribute to software‑focused research outputs and products.
• Lead or contribute to projects involving small, cross‑disciplinary teams.
• Collaborate with other teams across Riverlane to integrate your work with related research areas.
• Build and maintain relationships with partners and collaborators in industry and academia.

What we need

• A PhD with strong academic performance in a mathematically focused discipline, such as physics, theoretical chemistry, mathematics or computer science.
• Curiosity and motivation to learn new technical topics and apply your skills across quantum error correction and quantum algorithms.
• The ability to work both independently and collaboratively, sharing progress clearly with colleagues and contributing to technical discussions and problem solving.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Even better if you have…

• Experience working on quantum simulations, especially stabilizer tableau simulations and related techniques.
• Experience designing and running numerical simulations.
• Experience conducting research in quantum error correction, either in academia or industry.

What can you expect from us

• A comprehensive benefits package that includes an annual bonus plan, private medical insurance, life insurance and a contributory 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, physics and maths) and over 20 different nationalities.
• A learning environment that encourages individual, team and company growth and development, 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 under‑represented groups may be less likely to apply for a role unless they meet all or nearly all of the requirements. If this applies to you, we still encourage you to apply – you may be a great fit, even if you don’t meet every single qualification. We’d love 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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