R&D Engineer - Exploratory Technologies

PsiQuantum; Warrington; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A pioneering quantum technology company in Warrington is seeking an experienced experimental research engineer or physicist to join their R&D team. The role involves working with single-photon emitters and collaborating in a multidisciplinary environment to aid in building useful quantum computers. Candidates should have a PhD in experimental quantum optics with relevant hands-on experience. The position offers a unique opportunity at the forefront of quantum computing technology.

Qualifications

• Minimum PhD level experience in experimental quantum optics.
• 2+ years of hands-on experimental work in quantum optics & light matter interaction.
• Proven skill in characterization of quantum light sources.

Responsibilities

• Perform systems characterization of photon sources.
• Data analysis and modeling of experimental performance.
• Collaborate on integrating experimental modules.

Skills

Experimental confidence

Attention to detail

Operational cryogenics knowledge

Quantum optics expertise

Education

PhD in experimental quantum optics

Tools

Python

Mathematica

Job description

We believe quantum computing will change everything. It will have the power to transform the foundations of giant industries that rely on intensive computation. PsiQuantum is on a mission to build the world's first useful quantum computer, capable of delivering these transformative results. We know that means it will need 1 million qubits, error correction, a scalable architecture and a data center footprint.

By harnessing the laws of quantum physics, quantum computers can provide exponential performance increases over today's most powerful supercomputers, offering the potential for extraordinary advances across a broad range of industries including climate, energy, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, finance, agriculture, transportation, materials design, and many more.

PsiQuantum is uniquely positioned to deliver on the promise of quantum computing years earlier than our competitors. Our architecture is based on photonics which gives us the ability to produce our components using existing high-volume semiconductor manufacturing processes, the same processes that are today producing billions of chips for telecom and consumer electronics applications. Since photons don't feel heat, we can take advantage of existing cryogenic cooling systems, the kind that have been operating at facilities like the Stanford Linear Accelerator (SLAC). And because photons are in fact light, they can move between subsystems at tremendous speed using standard fiber connectivity.

Our team is building a utility scale quantum computer and the software tools needed to build fault tolerant quantum applications. We're a highly motivated and collaborative group focused on a singular goal - building the world's first useful quantum computer on the fastest path possible.

There's much more work to be done and we are looking for exceptional talent to join us on this extraordinary journey!

Job Summary:

We are looking for an exceptional experimental research engineer or physicist with hands-on experience working with single-photon emitters to join our R&D team. In the role you will operate, and assess the performance of, single photon emitters when they are interfaced with photonic integrated circuits, fast optical switching and single photon detectors. You will collaborate with a diverse team of expertise. The role joins the exploratory technologies division, as part of the company's future-orientated R&D and it is located at PsiQuantum's experimental R&D effort at Daresbury in the northwest of the UK. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and career paths who are excited to work in a fast-evolving interdisciplinary environment to build useful quantum computers.

Responsibilities:

• Technical individual contribution
  • Perform systems characterization of photon sources
  • Data analysis
  • Model experimental performance and compare to measured data
  • Collaborate with colleagues in integrating experimental modules into increasingly complex modular experiments
  • Design high performance experimental setups
  • Build and maintain neat & professional high performance experimental setups
  • Work with operations colleagues to efficiently procure necessary consumables and capital equipment, with appropriate forecasting of experimental needs to mitigate delivery lead times
  • Participate in the authoring of technical reports - ranging from concise to exhaustive in full detail
• Technical leadership
  • Anticipate testing and operational needs for team learnings of single photon emitters
  • Maintain a clear up to date list of priorities
  • Facilitate IP protection
• Personnel
  • Participate in hiring to fill open positions in the team
• Project leadership
  • Track mission progress
  • Contribute to project planning
  • Budget for experimental builds
  • Attend project meetings
• Cross-team interaction
  • Keep a strong communication with other teams related to your work

Experience/Qualifications:

• Minimum PhD level experience in experimental quantum optics.
• 2+ years of relevant hands-on experimental work in quantum optics & light matter interaction.
  • Proven skill in characterization of quantum light sources (e.g. atom-cavity or colour centres or semiconductor quantum dots or similar) and optimizing their performance
  • Proven skill in planning and conducting quantum optics experiments
  • Proven skill in modelling experiments and analyzing data - ideally in Python/Mathematica
  • Experience leading technical projects
  • Experience working with cryogenics
• Proven skill in Applied Physics.
• Experience working with leading edge technologies, including custom/one-off/protype equipment built by third parties.
• Experience working with external parties (vendors, collaborators etc) to expedite achieving technical results.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Subject Matter Expertise
  • Imaging, microscopy, spectroscopy, fibre optics
  • Laser optics (physics, operation and safety), work with pulsed lasers
  • Single photon measurements, statistics, coincidences, correlation
  • Quantum optics theory - light matter interaction
  • Operation of cryogenic equipment and handling cryogens (e.g. liquid nitrogen)
• Core skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Experimental confidence
  • Flexibility to change
  • Deduction
  • Prioritization
  • Commitment to only deliver high quality work

• Performance in team environment:
• Open listening
• Curiosity
• Openness to share and ask for advice
• Learning while collaborating
• Fast learning
• Assisting colleagues to gain knowledge
• Leadership:
• Drive to engage others
• Delegation
• Planning and Organization:
• High level picture
• Focus on getting things closed
• People Management:
• Empathy
• Ability to ask useful questions
• Interpersonal Skills / Communications
• Ability to explain clearly
• Proven skill in efficient technical presentation to colleagues
• Project management
• Commitment to deliver on time

PsiQuantum provides equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. PsiQuantum does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable laws.

We are not accepting unsolicited resumes from employment agencies.