Quantum Scientist (Boulder, Colorado)

We recently opened our new office in Boulder, Colorado, marking our first international expansion. This new location is the hub for our North American operations. If you’re passionate about pushing the boundaries of quantum technology, this is your chance to join us at the forefront of innovation and play a key role in shaping the future and building Oxford Ionics in the US.

We are pioneering advancements in quantum computing by utilising trapped ion technology and our proprietary laser-free quantum control methods. Our research and development efforts build on our fully integrated quantum processors that can be fabricated within standard silicon foundries. This unique approach allows us to leverage the highest-performing qubit technology while ensuring scalability and manufacturability using existing semiconductor fabrication technology. We approach quantum computing with a focus on minimising errors, striving to achieve ultra-low gate errors at scale. Our immediate objective is to develop functional quantum computers within the NISQ regime, aiming to construct fault-tolerant machines that require minimal QEC overhead. Our recent breakthroughs include achieving 99.97% fidelity in two-qubit gates and 99.9992% fidelity in single-qubit operations without error correction, setting new industry standards for performance.

What to Expect

As a Quantum Scientist, you will be at the forefront of our research efforts.  Your responsibilities will include both designing, debugging, and executing experiments on our current quantum hardware and architecting future hardware generations. This may encompass tasks such as developing innovative coherent control and cooling schemes, accurately calibrating our quantum systems, or extending our methods to larger scale error-corrected devices. You might also be involved in implementing high-fidelity two-qubit gates and single-qubit operations, contributing to our mission of achieving ultra-low gate errors. Furthermore, you might be conducting rigorous benchmarking to assess system performance, analyse experimental data in detail, and present your findings to our research team. Additional responsibilities may include:

• Prototyping and characterising novel coherent control schemes for trapped-ion qubits using laser and microwave fields.
• Benchmarking component-module and system-level performance of near-term devices, optimise system-level performance and reliability.
• Validating new trap technologies, eg. integrated electronics or photonics required for building large-scale devices.
• Using knowledge of atomic physics and trapped ion physics to debug functionality and performance of qubit control and auxiliary operations.
• Representing Oxford Ionics’s vision and scientific results to external audiences, eg at scientific conferences or in external collaborations.

You should have a PhD in physics or a related discipline and a solid background in atomic or qubit-related physics, with three or more years of experience working on an aspect of quantum control (academic or industry). Experience with control software, hardware, and/or data analysis are valuable skills, along with the ability to work independently and as part of a small team. We value ion-trapping experience, especially with a focus on quantum information and hands-on experience with the ARTIQ ecosystem. The ideal candidate would have previous experience in one or more of the following: spectroscopy or simulation of multi-level quantum systems coupled to boson modes, characterisation of qubit or control hardware performance, calibration of quantum systems, benchmarking of gate fidelities, or running  algorithms on hardware. Theorist applicants are welcomed but should have a track record of close collaboration with experimentalists.

Oxford Ionics is leading the way in quantum technology, and we need skilled, innovative individuals like you. We offer a range of benefits, including opportunities to further your career with a world-class team, business stock options, enhanced annual leave, flexible working, medical, dental and vision insurance for you and your family, and much more. Join us and be part of the future of quantum computing.

Salary Range

$120,000-$145,000 DOE

Oxford Ionics is committed to equal opportunity for all.