Senior Quantum Research Scientist - Remote & Equity

Placements24; Rustenburg; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and equity options

Health, dental, and vision benefits

Home office setup allowance

Remote-first environment

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Research Scientist to lead remote, cutting-edge research in quantum algorithms for applications across materials science, pharmaceuticals, and finance. The role emphasizes independent, high-impact work in a remote-first, collaborative environment with cross-disciplinary teams.

The ideal candidate will possess a PhD and 8+ years of quantum computing research, with strong publication records, advanced knowledge of quantum algorithms, and experience mentoring

Qualifications

• PhD in related field with quantum computing specialization.
• 8+ years of quantum computing research with publications.
• Deep knowledge of quantum algorithms (Shor's, Grover's, VQE) and error correction.
• Proficiency with Qiskit, Cirq or PennyLane.
• Experience benchmarking quantum algorithms against classical methods.

Responsibilities

• Lead research on developing and adapting quantum algorithms for scientific and industrial applications.
• Design and run quantum simulation experiments on platforms and simulators.
• Collaborate with physicists, CS and domain experts to address challenges.
• Publish findings in peer‑reviewed journals and present at conferences.
• Evaluate performance and scalability of quantum algorithms and optimize.
• Contribute to strategic direction of quantum research within the organization.
• Mentor junior researchers in a remote setting.
• Stay updated on quantum hardware, software, and algorithms.

Skills

Analytical problem solving

Communication & collaboration

Mentoring/leadership

Education

PhD in Physics/CS/Math or related field (quantum computing)

Tools

Qiskit

Cirq

PennyLane

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Research Scientist to lead remote, cutting-edge research in quantum algorithms for applications across materials science, pharmaceuticals, and finance. The role emphasizes independent, high-impact work in a remote-first, collaborative environment with cross-disciplinary teams.

The ideal candidate will possess a PhD and 8+ years of quantum computing research, with strong publication records, advanced knowledge of quantum algorithms, and experience mentoring