Senior Quantum Scientist (Superconducting Circuits, Measurement Focus)

Science and Technology Facilities Council; Harwell; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working scheme

Defined benefit pension

30 days annual leave + 10.5 bank hols

Job summary

National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) is seeking a Senior Quantum Scientist to advance superconducting quantum computing systems at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory site. You will focus on measurement-centric development, calibration, benchmarking and scaling within a collaborative, security-cleared environment.

You will contribute to control architectures, software ecosystems, and cross-disciplinary R&D, helping progress the UK quantum roadmap and industry partnerships.

Qualifications

• PhD or industry equivalent research in quantum computing systems (e.g., superconducting circuits, trapped ions, etc.).
• Calibration, benchmarking and error analysis of quantum computing operations.
• Simulation of quantum system dynamics under control and noise.
• Knowledge of error reduction strategies such as optimal control, error mitigation, error correction.
• Scientific programming for simulation, measurement, and data analysis.
• Excellent technical communication across varied teams and disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Design and build superconducting quantum computing (SCQC) systems.
• Advance the calibration, measurement, and control software of SCQC systems.
• Perform quantum processor benchmarking and error analysis to guide development.
• Research scaling of control architectures, calibration, and quantum error correction.
• Collaborate on full-stack integration and use of quantum computers at NQCC.
• Perform collaborative R&D on key enabling technology aligned to the roadmap.
• Keep up to date with advances in the field, present and publish non-confidential results.

Skills

Quantum hardware

Calibration & benchmarking

Error analysis & suppression

Scientific programming

Technical communication

Control system architecture

Education

PhD or industry equivalent in quantum computing systems

Job description

Senior Quantum Scientist (Superconducting Circuits, Measurement Focus)

Job Info

• Apply Before 09/13/2026, 10:55 PM
• Job Identification 2739
• Posting Date 08/21/2026, 08:54 AM

Job Description

Job Title: Senior Quantum Scientist (Superconducting Circuits, Measurement Focus)

Location: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire, UK

Contract Type: Up to 2 xOpen-Ended

Salary: Band E S1, £58,346 gross per annum

Hours: Full-time (We understand the importance of work-life balance, and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants)

Together, our scientist, technologists, engineers and business support team explore the unknown and turn what they find into work that changes the world around us.

Come and discover how much you can achieve when you’re surrounded by world-leading experts, encouraged to constantly learn and empowered to explore your curiosity.

About NQCC

The National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) is the UK’s national laboratory dedicated to accelerating the development and adoption of quantum computing.

Headquartered at the Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire, the NQCC works across government, industry, and academia to address the engineering challenges of scaling quantum computers and to build a quantum-ready economy. Its mission is to enable the UK to solve complex societal and industrial challenges by harnessing the transformative potential of quantum computing.

The NQCC is a joint initiative of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). It sits alongside other departments within the STFC National Laboratories and has a 10-year funding commitment as part of the National Quantum Strategy.

Our Benefits

• Our Benefits include a flexible working scheme (subject to business requirements), Defined benefit pension scheme and 30 days annual leave allowance plus 10.5 bank holiday/privilege days and several other benefits.

The Role

You will be based in the Superconducting Circuits Team in the Research division of NQCC. Using your skills in quantum hardware you will work on a variety of science and engineering projects in superconducting quantum computing system scaling. You will develop scalable and robust quantum computing systems to build capability, progress on the technology roadmap, and maintain NQCC’s trusted technical expertise in quantum computing.

Key research areas will include control system architectures, robust calibration and benchmarking, error analysis and suppression, and quantum error correction.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and build superconducting quantum computing (SCQC) systems.
• Advance the calibration, measurement, and control software of SCQC systems.
• Perform quantum processor benchmarking and error analysis to guide development.
• Research scaling of control architectures, calibration, and quantum error correction.
• Collaborate on full-stack integration and use of quantum computers at NQCC.
• Perform collaborative R&D on key enabling technology aligned to the roadmap.
• Keep up to date with advances in the field, present and publish non-confidential results.

Person Specification

We offer significant development opportunities at the NQCC, but as a starting point you should be able to demonstrate some of the following.

(Please note the below criteria will be assessed at Shortlisting or Interview stage as indicated)

• PhD or industry equivalent research on quantum computing systems (such as superconducting circuits, trapped ions, neutral atoms, by direct or cloud-access) (S&I)
• Calibration, benchmarking and error analysis of quantum computing operations (S&I)
• Simulation of quantum system dynamics under control and noise (S&I)
• Knowledge on error reduction strategies such as optimal control, error mitigation, error correction (S&I)
• Scientific programming skills for simulation, measurement, and data analysis (S&I)
• Excellent technical communication across varied teams and disciplines (S&I)

Additional Information

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they are appointed. The required security clearance needed is CTC.

For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the United Kingdom for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the UK for the last 3 years as the role requires CTC clearance. However, UK residency less than the outlined periods may not bar you from gaining National Security Vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed for further advice. Please note for anyone who requires sponsorship we are able to review on a case by case basis.

Please note, if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you and any dependants travelling with you, will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager. For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs or contact [e-mail].

About Us

UKRI - UK Research and Innovation

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

More information can be found at www.ukri.org.

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI.

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

As part of the pre-employment checks there is a requirement to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Screening. BPSS is a pre-condition of employment and failure to achieve it may mean that the employment offer is rescinded. UKRI reserves the right to run, or re-run, security clearance as required during the course of employment.

About the Team

The Science and Technology Facilities Council is a world-leading multi-disciplinary science organisation where curiosity-driven, blue-skies thinking meets practical, application-led science and engineering. Our goal is to deliver economic, societal, scientific and international benefits to the UK and its people – and more broadly to the world.

One of Europe’s largest research organisations, we’re trusted to support, enable and undertake cutting-edge projects in an amazing diversity of fields. Through world-class facilities and people, we’re driving ground-breaking advances in science, engineering, computing and technology. Our research seeks to understand the Universe from the largest astronomical scales to the tiniest constituents of matter, yet creates impact on a very tangible, human scale.