Research Intern - Next Generation Systems (3 months)

International Business Machines Corporation; Dublin; On-site; EUR 20,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

IBM Research in Ireland is offering an internship at the intersection of quantum optimization, AI, and systems engineering. You will explore how AI accelerates development, automates experimentation, and enables users to leverage quantum computing for optimization.

We invite PhD or Master’s candidates in CS, physics, or math to contribute to co-designing hybrid quantum-classical algorithms and evaluating quantum-classical workloads on near-term devices and future hardware.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master's candidates in computer science, physics, applied mathematics, or related disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Develop methods to determine the optimal solver (quantum, classical, AI or hybrid) for complex optimization problems.
• Design, benchmark and evaluate agentic AI systems to leverage quantum optimization algorithms.
• Co-design of hybrid quantum-classical optimization algorithms and the quantum platform to support novel workloads.

Skills

Python

Qiskit

Optimization

Generative AI

Distributed cloud

Education

PhD or Master's candidates in CS/Physics/Math

Job description

Introduction

At IBM Research, we are the innovation engine of IBM. Exploring what’s next in computing and shaping the technologies the world will rely on tomorrow. From advancing AI and hybrid cloud to pioneering practical quantum computing, we anticipate challenges and unlock new opportunities for clients, partners, and society. Working in Research means joining a team that accelerates discovery at the intersection of high-performance computing, AI, quantum, and cloud. You’ll collaborate with leading scientists, engineers, and visionaries to push boundaries and turn ideas into reality. With a culture built on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration, IBM Research offers the opportunity to grow your career while contributing to breakthroughs that transform industries and change the world.

Your role and responsibilities

As quantum computing and AI continue to evolve rapidly, a critical frontier is discovering and implementing quantum and hybrid quantum-classical algorithms that significantly outperform their best classical analogues.

This internship focuses on the intersection of quantum optimization algorithms, artificial intelligence, and systems engineering, targeting both near-term devices and future fault-tolerant hardware. We are exploring how AI can accelerate algorithmic development, automate complex experimentation, and help users harness the full power of quantum computing for optimization.

We invite applications from candidates interested in the areas like the following:

• Developing methods for efficiently determining the optimal solver (quantum, classical, AI or hybrid) for complex mathematical optimization problems.
• Designing, benchmarking, and evaluating agentic AI systems to help users and researchers harness quantum optimization algorithms.
• Co-design of hybrid quantum-classical optimization algorithms and the quantum platform to efficiently support novel workloads

This work sits at the cutting edge of quantum computing, agentic applications, and system design, offering the intern a unique opportunity to contribute to advancing the robustness, efficiency, and scalability of next-generation quantum-classical workflows.

Required technical and professional expertise

• PhD or Master's candidates in computer science, physics, applied mathematics, or related disciplines.
• Experience in two or more of: quantum computing (e.g., Qiskit), mathematical optimization (e.g., MIP, QUBO), generative AI / LLM agents, and distributed cloud systems.
• Strong Python and software engineering skills .

IBM is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, caste, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, veteran status, or other characteristics. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.