Senior Staff Quantum Physicist

The role

You will lead research efforts, driving experimental efforts and the architecture of future generation quantum systems. This role involves driving innovation in coherent control, calibration, and benchmarking at scale for trapped-ion devices.

What you will do

• Lead the prototyping and characterisation of advanced coherent control schemes for trapped-ion qubits using laser and microwave fields.
• Drive system-level benchmarking and optimisation.
• Validate and integrate new trap technologies to support scaling towards error-corrected architectures.
• Guide junior scientists in experimental design, analysis, and presentation of results.
• Represent IonQ at conferences and external collaborations.
• Work hands-on with current hardware including design, debugging, and executing experiments.
• Develop novel control schemes.
• Shape technical direction and mentor junior scientists.

Required qualifications

• PhD in physics or a closely related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and practical experience.
• At least seven years of post-PhD experience in academia or industry, or equivalent relevant research experience.
• Ability to lead projects, work autonomously and guide junior scientists.
• Proven experience in quantum control, with hands-on work in calibration, benchmarking or coherent control of qubits.
• Practical skills in control software, hardware integration or experimental data analysis.
• Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, U.S. national, U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum) for export controls and government contracts work.

Nice to have

• Deep experience in AMO physics or quantum computing.
• Trapped-ion experience.
• Experience in spectroscopy or simulation of multilevel systems, control hardware characterisation, gate fidelity benchmarking or running algorithms on hardware.
• Strong proficiency in programming and data analysis.
• A track record of collaboration across teams and clear communication of complex scientific results through publications, talks or conferences.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans
• Matching 401(k)
• Unlimited PTO
• Paid holidays
• Parental/adoption leave
• Legal insurance
• Home technology stipend

Before you apply

• Employment is contingent on verifying U.S. Person status for export controls and government contracts work, or obtaining necessary licenses.

About the company

IonQ, Inc. is the world’s leading quantum platform and merchant supplier, delivering integrated quantum solutions across computing, networking, sensing, and security. Headquartered in College Park, Maryland, the company has operations globally.