Quantum Theoretical Scientist (Boulder, Colorado)

Job Description

We are excited to open our new office in Boulder, Colorado, marking our first international expansion. This new location will be 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 Theoretical Scientist, you will be at the forefront of our research efforts. Your responsibilities will include simulating, and analyzing the performance/scaling bottlenecks of operations on our advanced quantum hardware, using this understanding to develop superior protocols for current experiments and to inform the design of next-generation devices. This includes developing innovative quantum gate schemes, fast/cold transport methods within a QCCD architecture, laser cooling techniques, and compilation algorithms for our computers. You will be involved in developing high-fidelity one and two qubit gate operations, contributing to our mission of achieving ultra-low gate errors. You will also be expected to assist with the development of rigorous benchmarking techniques to assess system performance, analyse experimental data, and present your findings to our research team.

Additional responsibilities may include:

• Prototyping and characterising novel coherent control schemes for trapped-ion qubits.
• Prototyping and characterising cooling schemes for trapped-ion qubits.
• Benchmarking component-module and system-level performance of near-term devices, optimise system-level performance and reliability.
• 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.

Requirements

You should have a PhD in physics or a related discipline and a solid background in AMO or quantum optics theory, with experience working with experimental collaborators (academic or industry). Experience in numerical physics using a lower-level language: python, C++, etc… The ideal candidate would have previous experience in one or more of the following: simulation of multi-level quantum systems coupled to boson modes, simulation of open quantum systems, characterisation of qubit or control hardware performance, or benchmarking gate fidelities.

Benefits

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, uncapped 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

At this time, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for U.S. employment. Applicants must hold U.S. citizenship or permanent residency (Green Card) to be considered.

Oxford Ionics is committed to equal opportunity for all.