Quantum Performance and Demonstrations - Intern 2027

IBM Computing; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 55,000; Part time

Job summary

IBM Research is seeking a research intern to work on quantum system performance, capabilities, and demonstrations. You will collaborate with IBM researchers to develop methods for understanding and improving quantum computing systems, drawing on areas such as characterization, benchmarking, and error mitigation.

The role involves designing experiments on quantum processors, analyzing data, and communicating findings.

Qualifications

• Enrollment in a graduate program (Ph.D. or research-focused Master) in Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, or a related field.
• Coursework or research in quantum computing, quantum information science, or related areas.
• Experience performing independent research through projects, a thesis, internships, or publications.
• Experience with scientific computing and at least one general-purpose programming language (e.g., Python).

Responsibilities

• Explore research questions related to quantum system performance and capabilities with mentor guidance.
• Design and execute experiments on quantum processors to characterize performance or demonstrate capabilities.
• Develop quantitative methods for assessing performance, including benchmarking and error analysis.
• Explore error mitigation, dynamic circuits, and error detection/correction techniques.
• Collaborate with theory, software, and hardware researchers to connect advances to demonstrations.
• Document findings and develop workflows for applying techniques to quantum experiments.

Skills

Python

Quantum computing

Research experience

Linear algebra

NumPy/SciPy

Education

PhD or research-focused Master

Tools

Qiskit

NumPy

SciPy

Matplotlib

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 a research intern working on quantum system performance, capabilities, and demonstrations, you will work alongside IBM researchers to develop methods for understanding, improving, and demonstrating the capabilities of quantum computing systems. Your project will be shaped in collaboration with your mentor and may draw on areas such as quantum characterization and benchmarking, error mitigation and suppression, quantum error correction, dynamic circuits, quantum simulation, and the design of experiments that probe the limits of current and emerging quantum processors. Over the course of the internship, you will:

• 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.

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.

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.