Senior Ion-Trap Scientist for Quantum Computing

National Physical Laboratory; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

National Physical Laboratory is seeking a Higher Scientist to advance ion trapping and microtrap technologies for quantum computing and networking. You will work hands‑on with state‑of‑the‑art systems, develop bespoke instrumentation, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across academia and industry.

You will contribute to experimental work on pulsed laser interactions, atomic spectroscopy, and single‑photon detection, with opportunities to publish and present internationally.

Qualifications

• Experience operating pulsed laser systems for light‑matter interactions.
• Proficiency with instrumentation to characterise pulsed laser light.
• Experience time‑correlated photon counting and photonic state analysis.
• CAD design of opto‑mechanical systems and photonic hardware.
• Development of instrumentation control software and data analysis.
• Strong writing and communication for publications.

Responsibilities

• Develop pulsed laser excitation sources using commercial and bespoke components.
• Design experiments to characterise photonic quantum states and perform photon counting.
• Integrate systems into a wider ion trapping apparatus with control systems.
• Advance hardware through custom instrumentation development.
• Develop hardware control software and data analysis tools.
• Publish results in high‑impact journals and present at conferences.
• Contribute to proposals and R&D directions for UK quantum industry.

Skills

Pulsed laser systems

Laser instrumentation

Time-correlated photon counting

CAD design

Photonic systems

RF control systems

Instrumentation software

Documentation

Scientific writing

Public speaking

Education

PhD or Post-doctoral

Tools

Artiq hardware

Autocorrelator

Optical spectrum analyser

Job description

National Physical Laboratory is seeking a Higher Scientist to advance ion trapping and microtrap technologies for quantum computing and networking. You will work hands‑on with state‑of‑the‑art systems, develop bespoke instrumentation, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across academia and industry.

You will contribute to experimental work on pulsed laser interactions, atomic spectroscopy, and single‑photon detection, with opportunities to publish and present internationally.