Staff Quantum Scientist - Superconducting Circuits

UKRI; Harwell; On-site; GBP 60,668 - 74,149; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days holiday

Flexible working

Pension scheme

Transport and parking

Learning and development

Cycle to work

Job summary

UKRI's National Quantum Computing Centre at the Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire seeks a Staff Quantum Scientist (Superconducting Circuits) to lead on scalable quantum hardware projects and to develop robust superconducting quantum computing systems.

You will guide architecture, implement quantum error correction strategies, and manage gate fidelity studies while collaborating across disciplines to advance the technology roadmap.

Qualifications

• PhD and postdoctoral research or industry equivalent in quantum computing hardware.
• Expert in state-of-the-art experimental quantum computing systems (superconducting circuits, trapped ions, neutral atoms, photonics).
• Expert in calibration and error characterisation of multi-qubit systems.
• Knowledgeable on quantum error mitigation and quantum error correction methods.
• Highly experienced in measurement software for quantum computing experiments.
• Systematic approach to planning research and experimental measurements.
• Excellent technical communication skills across teams and disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Lead the control and measurement of superconducting quantum computers.
• Develop infrastructure and best-practice for system calibration and measurement.
• Enable the quantum measurement needs in other areas of the team and NQCC.
• Scope and deliver research on scaling control, calibration and quantum error correction.
• Drive full-stack integration and use of quantum computers at NQCC.
• Establish and lead R&D collaborations on key technologies to accelerate our roadmap.
• Develop key collaborator and supplier relationships and represent NQCC externally.
• Train and guide technical staff and students including through line management.
• Keep up to date with advances in the field, present and publish non-confidential results.

Skills

Quantum hardware

Calibration & error characterization

Quantum error mitigation

Quantum error correction

Measurement software

Research planning

Technical communication

Education

PhD in quantum computing hardware

Job description

Staff Quantum Scientist - Superconducting Circuits

Job Title: Staff Quantum Scientist (Superconducting Circuits)
Salary: Band F S1 £67,409 gross per annum
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full-Time or Part-Time (Minimum 0.8FTE) (We understand the importance of work-life balance, and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants)
Location: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire, UK

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.

Benefits

• 30 days holiday (in addition to 10.5 bank holidays and privilege days)
• Flexible working hours
• An excellent defined salary pension scheme
• Easily accessible public transport links/ free parking
• Excellent learning and development opportunities
• Cycle to work scheme

Link to more benefits: https://stfccareers.co.uk/rewards-and-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 lead on a variety of science and engineering projects in superconducting quantum computer 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 areas will include architecture of quantum computing systems, leading implementation of the team’s quantum error correction strategy, and responsibility for gate fidelity and error-budget characterisation to guide research into architectural and technology improvements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the control and measurement of superconducting quantum computers
• Develop infrastructure and best-practice for system calibration and measurement
• Enable the quantum measurement needs in other areas of the team and NQCC
• Scope and deliver research on scaling control, calibration and quantum error correction
• Drive full-stack integration and use of quantum computers at NQCC
• Establish and lead R&D collaborations on key technologies to accelerate our roadmap
• Develop key collaborator and supplier relationships and represent NQCC externally
• Train and guide technical staff and students including through line management
• Keep up to date with advances in the field, present and publish non-confidential results

Person Specification

• PhD and postdoctoral research or industry equivalent in quantum computing hardware
• Expert in state of the art approaches to experimental quantum computing systems (such as superconducting circuits, trapped ions, neutral atoms, photonics)
• Expert in calibration and error characterisation of multi-qubit systems
• Knowledgeable on quantum error mitigation and quantum error correction methods
• Highly experienced in measurement software for quantum computing experiments
• Systematic approach to planning research and experimental measurements
• Excellent technical communication skills across teams and disciplines

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

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.

We are a Disability Confident Employer. Any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria will be shortlisted for interview. We will ensure 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.