Quantum Error Correction Theorist

IBM; Town of Yorktown (NY); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

IBM Research is seeking a Staff Research Scientist in Quantum Device Technology to advance quantum computing research. You will guide objectives, collaborate across units, and mentor teams while contributing to IBM products and the global research strategy.

This role emphasizes deep expertise in quantum device theory and practical progress in gates, coherence, design, simulation, and photonics, with a focus on high-impact results for IBM's quantum portfolio.

Qualifications

• Deep expertise in quantum computing and quantum device technology (gates, coherence, design, simulation, test, tuning).
• Experience guiding functional objectives or technologies with alignment to division mission.
• Ability to build relationships across boundaries and negotiate with stakeholders.
• Experience mentoring colleagues in a technical capacity to drive growth.
• Experience participating in overall functional program planning and aligning priorities with business needs.

Responsibilities

• Develop Research Expertise in quantum device tech to drive innovation.
• Guide functional objectives or technologies aligning with IBM Research mission.
• Collaborate across boundaries with peers, management, and customers.
• Mentor colleagues to promote growth and knowledge sharing.
• Participate in program planning to ensure strategic objectives are met.

Skills

Quantum device tech

Research leadership

Technical collaboration

Technical mentoring

Strategic planning

Education

Doctorate Degree

Job description

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 a Staff Research Scientist in Quantum Device Technology, you will perform research covering a broad array of topics in Quantum computing, guiding functional objectives or technologies that align with the division's mission and vision. You will contribute to IBM products and services and the global research strategy process, leveraging your expertise in areas such as gates, coherence, design, simulation, test, tuning, photonics/interconversion, Josephson electronics, and device theory.

Your primary responsibilities will include:

• Develop Research Expertise: Develop and maintain deep expertise in quantum computing, with a focus on quantum device technology, to drive innovation and advancement in the field.
• Guide Functional Objectives: Guide functional objectives or technologies, ensuring alignment with the division's mission and vision, and contributing to the development of IBM products and services.
• Collaborate Across Boundaries: Foster effective relationships across boundaries and business units, negotiating and influencing stakeholders, including peers, management, and customers.
• Mentor Colleagues: Effectively mentor colleagues, sharing knowledge and expertise to promote growth and development within the team.
• Participate in Program Planning: Regularly participate in overall functional program planning, ensuring strategic objectives are met and priorities are aligned with business needs.

Required education

Doctorate Degree

Required technical and professional expertise

• Deep Expertise in Quantum Computing: Experience with quantum device technology, including gates, coherence, design, simulation, test, tuning, photonics/interconversion, Josephson electronics, and device theory.
• Research Leadership: Experience guiding functional objectives or technologies, with an understanding of division and functional mission and vision.
• Technical Collaboration: Experience developing relationships across boundaries and business units, negotiating and influencing stakeholders.
• Technical Mentoring: Experience mentoring colleagues in a technical capacity, sharing knowledge and expertise to promote growth and development.
• Strategic Planning: Experience participating in overall functional program planning, ensuring strategic objectives are met and priorities are aligned with business needs.

Preferred technical and professional experience

• Advanced Research Methods: Experience with novel research techniques and methodologies in quantum computing, including innovative approaches to gates, coherence, and device theory.
• Interdisciplinary Knowledge: Exposure to relevant fields such as photonics, interconversion, and Josephson electronics, with an understanding of their applications in quantum device technology.
• Technical Visionary: Experience driving technical advancements and innovation in quantum computing, with a focus on aligning research objectives with business needs and strategic priorities.

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 strive 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.