Quantum Error Correction Researcher

Riverlane; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Private medical insurance

Life insurance

Pension scheme

Equity

Job summary

Riverlane in Cambridge, UK, is seeking a Quantum Error Correction Researcher to help develop the world’s first QEC stack for fault-tolerant quantum computing. This hybrid, full-time role invites mathematicians, physicists, and CS specialists to work across a multi-disciplinary team advancing decoding methods and QEC models.

The successful candidate will contribute to cutting-edge research, publish findings, and collaborate with Riverlane’s partners.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Mathematics, Physics, CS or related field.
• Strong programming experience in Python and/or C++.
• Ability to work independently and in a team, with clear communication.
• Experience formulating and pursuing open-ended theoretical problems.

Responsibilities

• Learn about cutting-edge research in quantum computing and QEC.
• Develop novel decoding algorithms and techniques.
• Assess decoding challenges across qubit modalities and design tailored approaches.
• Model physical noise processes to improve decoding accuracy.
• Test hypotheses by numerical methods and present results.
• Write papers and present work at conferences.

Skills

Math/Physics/CS PhD

Python

C++

Research experience

Communication skills

Education

Master's or PhD in Mathematics/Physics/CS

Job description

Cambridge, UK | Full-time | Permanent | Hybrid

Salary: £65,000 to £80,000, 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.

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 Quantum Error Correction Researcher at Riverlane, you will help us to develop the world’s first Quantum Error Correction (QEC) stack that will unlock useful quantum computing.

We have a fantastic opportunity to join one of Riverlane’s research teams. This highly collaborative group brings together mathematicians, physicists, computer scientists and software engineers, working side by side on the most pressing problems to unlock practical fault tolerant quantum computation.

We are a team with a broad focus, exploring the full spectrum of decoder research, spanning blue-sky investigations through to work that directly informs Riverlane's products. This includes designing novel decoding algorithms that correct quantum errors both accurately and quickly, identifying and addressing the decoding challenges specific to different qubit modalities. We actively collaborate with Riverlane's quantum computing partners to better understand and model their qubits' error processes, feeding these insights into our models to improve decoding performance.

What You Will Do

• Learn about the cutting-edge of research in quantum computing and QEC.
• Develop novel decoding algorithms and techniques.
• Assess the decoding challenges across a range of qubit modalities and quantum codes and design/create tailored decoding approaches for each platform.
• Consider how improved modelling of the physical noise processes on qubits can be used to improve the accuracy of our decoding schemes.
• Test and verify hypotheses, including by numerical methods.
• Present results and share expertise with other teams at Riverlane to guide development of various parts of the QEC stack.
• Write papers and present work at conferences.

What We Need

• A Master’s or PhD in Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, or a related technical field, or equivalent relevant industry experience.
• Knowledge of at least one programming language (Python and/or C++ preferred).
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to discuss complex ideas with a variety of audiences in a clear and simple way.
• Demonstrated ability to independently formulate and pursue open-ended theoretical problems, e.g. through a dissertation/thesis or research project
• Ability to learn from and build upon ideas in academic literature
• An algorithmic perspective to problem solving

Even better if you have…

• Previous experience with Quantum Computing
• Previous experience with Error Correction (Quantum or otherwise)
• Previous experience developing code in a collaborative environment
• Previous contribution to a research paper

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

If you have any queries, please contact [e-mail].

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 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.

GDPR notice: Riverlane collects and processes personal data in accordance with applicable data protection laws. If you are a European Job Applicant see the privacy notice for further details.