Research Intern: Linear Algebra and Hamiltonian Simulation

International Business Machines Corporation; United States; Remote; USD 60,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

8 paid holidays

IBM Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Paid family medical leave

Disability benefits

Job summary

IBM is seeking an internship in quantum simulation research. You will develop and implement computational methods, benchmark performance, and apply techniques to ground/excited states, time evolution, and thermal-state preparation.

Collaboration with researchers across disciplines and strong communication of results are essential. Candidates should hold a Master’s Degree and preferably pursue a Doctorate, with a solid background in quantum computing, numerical methods, and scientific programming

Qualifications

• Strong foundation in quantum computing and quantum algorithms.
• Proficiency in Python or a comparable scientific programming language.
• Knowledge of linear algebra and numerical methods.
• Ability to implement computational methods, analyze results, and communicate technical findings clearly.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and evaluate computational methods for quantum simulation.
• Benchmark algorithm performance, accuracy, resource requirements, and scalability.
• Apply methods to ground- and excited-state calculations, time evolution, and thermal-state preparation.
• Collaborate with researchers across disciplines and communicate results via publications and reports.

Skills

Quantum computing

Python

Linear algebra

Numerical methods

Communication

Education

Master's Degree

Doctorate Degree

Tools

Qiskit

Cirq

PennyLane

Job description

Introduction

The candidate will conduct research in quantum simulation, developing computational approaches for studying complex quantum systems. The work will combine quantum computing, numerical methods, and scientific computing in a collaborative research environment.

Your role and responsibilities

As an intern, you will develop, implement, and evaluate computational methods for quantum simulation. Benchmark algorithm performance, accuracy, resource requirements, and scalability. Apply these methods to problems such as ground- and excited-state calculations, time evolution, and thermal-state preparation. Collaborate with researchers across relevant scientific disciplines and communicate results through publications, presentations, and technical reports.

Required education

Master's Degree

Preferred education

Doctorate Degree

Required technical and professional expertise

• Strong foundation in quantum computing and quantum algorithms.
• Proficiency in Python or a comparable scientific programming language.
• Knowledge of linear algebra and numerical methods.
• Ability to implement computational methods, analyze results, and communicate technical findings clearly.

Preferred technical and professional experience

• Research experience in quantum simulation or related areas.
• Experience with Hamiltonian simulation, many-body methods, quantum chemistry, electronic structure, or condensed‑matter physics.
• Familiarity with quantum software frameworks such as Qiskit, Cirq, PennyLane, or similar tools.
• Experience with scientific computing or high‑performance computing environments is desirable.

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

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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

Supplemental 1 employees may be eligible for up to 8 paid holidays, minimum of 56 hours paid sick time and the IBM Employee Stock Purchase Plan. IBM offers paid family medical leave and disability benefits to eligible employees where required by applicable law.
This position was posted on the date cited in the key job details section and is anticipated to remain posted for 15 days from this date or less if not needed to fill the role.
We consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable law.

IBM will not be providing visa sponsorship for this position now or in the future. Therefore, in order to be considered for this position, you must have the ability to work without a need for current or future visa sponsorship.

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.