Senior Quantum Scientist – Trapped-Ion Fidelity (UK)

NightDragon Acquisition Corp.; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Annual bonus

Flexible hybrid

Private medical

Dental insurance

Generous leave

Job summary

IonQ in Oxford, UK, seeks a Senior Quantum Scientist to validate and optimize quantum computers. You will design, code, and run experiments, calibrate and benchmark qubit operations, and push performance toward fault-tolerance while collaborating with a fast-moving UK Science team.

The role requires a PhD in physics and hands-on AMO/quantum experience; strong programming in Python or Rust and a track record of publications are valued. Hybrid working with occasional travel is offered.

Qualifications

• PhD in physics or related field with strong AMO/quantum knowledge.
• Hands-on calibration, benchmarking, and coherent control of qubits.
• Experience communicating results through papers or talks.

Responsibilities

• Prototype and characterise coherent control and cooling schemes for trapped-ion qubits.
• Calibrate and benchmark quantum systems to achieve high fidelities.
• Validate trap technologies and integrated electronics for large-scale architectures.
• Analyze data, debug hardware/software interactions, and ensure qubit reliability.

Skills

Quantum control

Python

Rust

Data analysis

Collaboration

Publications

Experiments

Education

PhD in physics

Job description

IonQ in Oxford, UK, seeks a Senior Quantum Scientist to validate and optimize quantum computers. You will design, code, and run experiments, calibrate and benchmark qubit operations, and push performance toward fault-tolerance while collaborating with a fast-moving UK Science team.

The role requires a PhD in physics and hands-on AMO/quantum experience; strong programming in Python or Rust and a track record of publications are valued. Hybrid working with occasional travel is offered.