Quantum Performance and Demonstrations - Intern 2027

IBM; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

IBM Research Cambridge seeks a graduate student or early-career researcher to advance quantum computing by studying system performance on processors and collaborating with leading scientists and engineers. The role focuses on identifying promising directions, designing experiments, and developing demonstrations that push the capabilities of quantum hardware.

Independent research, rigorous data analysis with Python and Qiskit, and documenting workflows for reproducibility are essential.

Qualifications

• Enrollment in a Ph.D. or research-focused Master's program in Physics, CS, Mathematics, Engineering, or a related field.
• Coursework or research in quantum computing, quantum information science, quantum mechanics, linear algebra, or related fields.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research through projects, theses, internships, or publications.
• Experience with scientific computing and at least one general-purpose programming language (e.g., Python) for data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Explore quantum system performance questions with mentor guidance and broader team.
• Design and execute experiments on quantum processors to characterize performance and accuracy.
• Develop quantitative methods for assessment, including benchmarking and error analysis.
• Investigate error mitigation, dynamic circuits, and related techniques to extend quantum computations.
• Collaborate across theory, software, and hardware to link advances to demonstrations.
• Document findings and develop workflows so colleagues can apply techniques.

Skills

Python

Quantum computing

Research experience

Qiskit

NumPy

SciPy

Matplotlib

Education

Master's degree

PhD candidate

Tools

Qiskit

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.

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

• Explore research questions related to quantum system performance and capabilities, working with your mentor and the broader team to identify promising directions and develop them into concrete investigations and demonstrations.
• Design and execute experiments on quantum processors to characterize system performance, evaluate techniques for improving computational accuracy, or demonstrate emerging quantum capabilities.
• Develop quantitative methods for assessing performance, including characterization, benchmarking, error analysis, and comparisons with numerical or theoretical predictions.
• Explore how techniques such as error mitigation, error suppression, dynamic circuits, and error detection or correction can extend the range and quality of computations achievable on quantum hardware.
• Work with researchers across theory, software, and hardware to connect system-level advances to scientifically meaningful quantum computing demonstrations.
• Document and communicate your findings, and develop workflows and best practices that enable colleagues to apply these techniques in their own quantum experiments and demonstrations.

Preferred Education

Master's Degree

Required Technical And Professional Expertise

• Enrollment in an academic graduate program (Ph.D. or research- focused Master's) in Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, or a closely related field, with a focus on quantum computing, quantum information science, or a related area.
• Coursework or research experience in quantum computing, quantum information science, quantum mechanics, linear algebra, or closely related fields.
• Demonstrated experience performing independent research through research projects, a thesis, internships, or prior publications.
• Experience with scientific computing and at least one general- purpose programming language (e.g., Python), including analysis of numerical or experimental data and drawing quantitative conclusions.

Preferred Technical And Professional Experience

• Publications or preprints in quantum computing, quantum information science, quantum characterization, error mitigation, quantum simulation, or experimental demonstrations on quantum hardware.
• Experience designing and executing experiments on quantum computing hardware, including characterization, benchmarking, dynamic decoupling, error amplification, or related studies, and interpreting experimental results.
• Programming experience with core scientific Python libraries (e.g., NumPy, SciPy, Matplotlib) and quantum software frameworks such as Qiskit.
• Familiarity with noise modeling, error mitigation or suppression, and dynamic circuits or experience with numerical simulation of quantum circuits or open quantum systems and comparison of simulations with experimental data.
• Familiarity with AI tooling for research.