Quantum Demonstration Experimentalist

International Business Machines Corporation; United States; Remote; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits including medical,

401(k) and pension plan

Paid time off and parental leave

Training and educational resources

Job summary

IBM Research seeks an Experimental Research Scientist to lead groundbreaking demonstrations on IBM’s quantum hardware. You will design experiments, coordinate cross-functional teams, and push the boundaries of quantum computing hardware and software.

A PhD and strong Python/Qiskit skills are essential. You will mentor researchers, shape research directions, and contribute to scalable quantum technologies, while collaborating across hardware, software, and theory groups in a multidisciplinary

Qualifications

• PhD required or equivalent in physics, engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of experimental quantum research or equivalent experience.
• Strong understanding of quantum hardware experiments and data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Define, develop, and lead quantum hardware demonstrations and experiments.
• Lead cross-functional teams across theory, software, and hardware to run complex experiments.
• Advance quantum computing technologies including error mitigation, dynamic circuits, and quantum error correction.
• Identify performance bottlenecks and influence next-generation hardware design.
• Communicate research directions and results to technical and executive audiences.

Skills

Python

Quantum computing

Experiment design

Leadership

Research

Education

Doctorate Degree

Tools

Git/GitHub

Qiskit

Job description

Introduction

At IBM, work is more than a job - it's a calling: To build. To design. To code. To consult. To think along with clients and sell. To make markets. To invent. To collaborate. Not just to do something better, but to attempt things you've never thought possible. Are you ready to lead in this new era of technology and solve some of the world's most challenging problems? If so, lets talk.

Your role and responsibilities

As an Experimental Research Scientist with IBM Quantum, you will provide scientific and technical leadership in advancing the frontier of quantum computing, pushing the limits of today’s most sophisticated quantum hardware. You will conceive, lead, and drive first-of-a-kind experimental demonstrations, identifying new opportunities to extend the capabilities and performance of IBM’s quantum processors and shaping research directions across hardware, software, and algorithms.

Key Responsibilities

• Define, develop, and lead novel quantum hardware demonstrations, identifying high-impact experimental opportunities and showcasing new capabilities that expand the reach of IBM’s quantum systems.
• Lead cross-functional research efforts with theorists, experimental physicists, and software engineers to formulate, design, and execute groundbreaking, advantage-scale experiments.
• Drive the application and development of advanced quantum computing technologies such as error mitigation, dynamic circuits, high-performance computing integrations, and quantum error correction.
• Apply deep expertise in quantum computing and device physics to identify performance-limiting mechanisms, develop paths to improvement, and influence the design of next-generation quantum hardware.
• Shape technical direction across the full quantum computing technology stack, identifying opportunities and driving advances that make quantum computing more usable, robust, and scalable.
• Provide technical leadership within a multidisciplinary research environment, communicating research direction and results to technical and executive audiences, mentoring other researchers, and building alignment across teams.

Required education

Doctorate Degree

Preferred education

Doctorate Degree

Required technical and professional expertise

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in experimental quantum, simulation, or control, including postdoctoral or professional research experience.
• Demonstrated record of independent research and technical accomplishment, including the ability to identify important research problems, develop experimental approaches, and drive projects to meaningful results.
• Deep experimental expertise with quantum computing systems, including experience designing, executing, and interpreting experiments on quantum hardware.
• Strong programming proficiency, preferably in Python, and experience developing research-quality scientific software.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical collaborations across multiple disciplines, such as experimental physics, theory, software, and hardware engineering.

Preferred technical and professional experience

• Deep understanding of superconducting qubit device physics or comparable quantum hardware architectures, including the relationship between device behavior and system-level performance.
• Significant experience with advanced experimental techniques such as quantum control, error suppression, error mitigation, dynamic circuits, or quantum error correction.
• Strong record of impactful research contributions, demonstrated through publications, technical leadership, or significant experimental results.
• Experience defining and leading complex experimental research projects involving multiple technical disciplines.
• Proficiency with Git/GitHub and collaborative software-development practices.
• Experience with Qiskit or similar quantum software development frameworks.

ABOUT BUSINESS UNIT

IBM Research is the organic growth engine of IBM and an innovation engine for our customers and partners. As part of this mission, IBM Research anticipates and examines 'What's Next in Computing' to ultimately create and integrate the technologies the world relies upon to solve big challenges and unlock new opportunities. We create and pioneer new markets for IBM, our partners and customers as exemplified in our ongoing quest to reach practical and large-scale quantum computing. Across IBM Research, we realize the power and potential to accelerate discovery with our partners and clients by combining the power of high performance computing, AI, and Quantum, all integrated through the hybrid cloud.

YOUR LIFE @ IBM

In a world where technology never stands still, we understand that, dedication to our clients success, innovation that matters, and trust and personal responsibility in all our relationships, lives in what we do as IBMers as we stride to be the catalyst that makes the world work better.

Being an IBMer means you’ll be able to learn and develop yourself and your career, you’ll be encouraged to be courageous and experiment everyday, all whilst having continuous trust and support in an environment where everyone can thrive whatever their personal or professional background.

Our IBMers are growth minded, always staying curious, open to feedback and learning new information and skills to constantly transform themselves and our company. They are trusted to provide on-going feedback to help other IBMers grow, as well as collaborate with colleagues keeping in mind a team focused approach to include different perspectives to drive exceptional outcomes for our customers. The courage our IBMers have to make critical decisions everyday is essential to IBM becoming the catalyst for progress, always embracing challenges with resources they have to hand, a can-do attitude and always striving for an outcome focused approach within everything that they do.

Are you ready to be an IBMer?

ABOUT IBM

IBM’s greatest invention is the IBMer. We believe that through the application of intelligence, reason and science, we can improve business, society and the human condition, bringing the power of an open hybrid cloud and AI strategy to life for our clients and partners around the world.

Restlessly reinventing since 1911, we are not only one of the largest corporate organizations in the world, we’re also one of the biggest technology and consulting employers, with many of the Fortune 500 companies relying on the IBM Cloud to run their business.

At IBM, we pride ourselves on being an early adopter of artificial intelligence, quantum computing and blockchain. Now it’s time for you to join us on our journey to being a responsible technology innovator and a force for good in the world.

IBM 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, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, or other characteristics protected by the applicable law. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.

OTHER RELEVANT JOB DETAILS

IBM offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program. Eligible employees may have access to:

• Healthcare benefits including medical & prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, and mental health & well being
• Financial programs such as 401(k), cash balance pension plan, the IBM Employee Stock Purchase Plan, financial counseling, life insurance, short & long- term disability coverage, and opportunities for performance based salary incentive programs
• Generous paid time off including 12 holidays, minimum 56 hours sick time, 120 hours vacation, 12 weeks parental bonding leave in accordance with IBM Policy, and other Paid Care Leave programs. IBM also offers paid family leave benefits to eligible employees where required by applicable law
• Training and educational resources on our personalized, AI-driven learning platform where IBMers can grow skills and obtain industry-recognized certifications to achieve their career goals
• Diverse and inclusive employee resource groups, giving & volunteer opportunities, and discounts on retail products, services & experiences
• We consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable law.

This position was posted on the date cited in the key job details section and is anticipated to remain posted for 21 days from this date or less if not needed to fill the role.

The compensation range and benefits for this position are based on a full-time schedule for a full calendar year. The salary will vary depending on your job-related skills, experience and location. Pay increment and frequency of pay will be in accordance with employment classification and applicable laws. For part time roles, your compensation and benefits will be adjusted to reflect your hours. Benefits may be pro-rated for those who start working during the calendar year.