Senior Research Scientist, Compilation

About us

Founded in 2017, Q-CTRL has grown to become the global leader in quantum. We’re using control to solve the hardest problems facing quantum technology, improving hardware performance and accelerating pathways to useful quantum computers and other technologies. As a product-led company, we bring together diverse teams such as product, design, engineering and research to help achieve our mission of making quantum technology useful. Join us to help shape the quantum future.

As one of the fastest growing companies in the quantum sector, we’ve had a number of key milestones:

- In November 2023, we announced an industry-first partnership with IBM Quantum Services, natively integrating our performance management software with all IBM quantum computers. Building off of this relationship, in September 2024 we started offering two services via IBM’s new Qiskit Functions Catalog as an inaugural partner.

- Designed and moved our Global HQ offices and lab space into the first purpose-built (and award winning) commercial and research facility for a quantum technology company in Australia.

- Continued to deliver real world outcomes across the quantum sectors, with our work with Australian Defence on software-ruggedized quantum sensing for navigation without GPS, as featured in the New York Times.

- In October 2024, we announced our record breaking expansion of our Series B funding round to USD $113M, with $59M USD of new capital.

- Grew our global presence to include Los Angeles, Berlin, and Oxford - as well as the recently announced office in San Francisco.

From educating the workforce on how quantum computing works, to building the next generation of quantum sensors, to delivering massive performance gains for end-users, it all starts with hiring the right talent. If you want to help us build the Quantum future, read on.

About the role

We are seeking a new Research Scientist / Senior Research Scientist to focus on quantum circuit compilation, qubit routing, and layout selection. You will work within a team of researchers dedicated to pushing the limits of quantum compilation, and developing innovative new methods to get the best possible performance of near-term quantum computing hardware.

A major focus of our research team is quantum error suppression (for example by dynamical decoupling, readout error mitigation, and pulse-level quantum control), and your research will interface closely with these areas. You will also collaborate regularly with engineering and project teams to implement your ideas into our software products, and to apply your insights to a variety of quantum computing hardware platforms. This position offers the opportunity to work at the forefront of quantum computing, driving innovation and delivering impactful solutions.

As a Research Scientist, you’ll be responsible for developing solutions for quantum technologies and deploying them in the Q-CTRL product suite.

In particular, you will:

• Develop efficient and reliable methods and tools that solve challenges facing real quantum computers.
• Stay informed about the latest advances in quantum computing and quantum control, and leverage this knowledge to implement and refine cutting-edge methodologies.
• Utilize methods from a range of fields, including control theory, optimization, machine learning, computer science, and data analysis.
• Create code for optimizing quantum algorithms, near-term quantum applications, and quantum error correction schemes.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to translate your ideas into production-quality software.
• Engage with users to gather feedback and enhance our products.
• Explain and present your work in clear and accessible language. Incorporate feedback and foster effective collaboration with colleagues.
• Write articles for publication in peer-reviewed journals, attend and present your work at conferences, and collaborate with other industrial and academic research groups.
• Use open-source scientific computing packages like Qiskit, NumPy, Networkx, Scipy, Scikit-learn, and PyTorch to build high-quality research code to develop, demonstrate, and test new algorithms and methods.
• Other duties within the Employee's skills and experience, or with reasonable training.

Ideally you'll have:

• An advanced degree in Physics, Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related discipline. A PhD is preferred, but we will also consider exceptional individuals with previous industry experience.
• Expertise in quantum computing, quantum algorithms, or quantum control. Specifically, for this role we would like to see expertise in quantum circuit compilation, qubit routing, or layout selection.
• A track record of conducting impactful research, demonstrated through publications and/or presentations in well-regarded journals and/or conferences.
• Experience in developing software for scientific experiments using one of the commonly-used languages such as Python, Julia, Matlab, or Mathematica (our team primarily uses Python).

Skills we also value (one or more is desirable, but not required):

• Experience with high-performance languages such as Rust, C++, or Julia.
• Experience with GPUs, TPUs, and other forms of hardware-accelerated computing.
• A strong background in relevant methods from fields such as control theory, optimization, machine learning, or data analysis.
• Familiarity with error suppression techniques used in quantum computing, such as dynamical decoupling, readout mitigation, zero-noise extrapolation, Pauli twirling, or pulse-level optimization.
• Familiarity with executing circuits in Qiskit.
• Exceptional scientific communication skills, evidenced by a track-record of teaching, scientific outreach, writing, producing elegant figures and visualizations, and/or speaking in front of both general and expert audiences.
• We take a multidisciplinary approach to quantum computing research, bringing together experts from diverse fields. We particularly value versatile and self-motivated problem solvers. If you are passionate about making quantum computers useful, we strongly encourage you to apply, even if you do not meet all of the requirements listed above.

Why Q-CTRL?

Flexibility: We embrace workplace flexibility so you worry more about your impact vs a rigid work schedule.

Attractive salary: You’ll get to have the start-up impact without the start-up wages.

Equity: We want people to have a sense of ownership in what they do and offer the potential for equity share and annual bonuses.

Cash bonus: We recognize exceptional performance and impact by offering annual discretionary cash bonuses.

Resources: We are well funded by the world’s best technology investors, letting us chase our ambitions with minimal constraints.

Parental support: We offer paid parental leave to support you and your loved ones.

Diversity: We’re an equal opportunity employer and actively support initiatives like the ‘Global Women in Quantum’ program to help expand the quantum workforce.

Unique culture: You’ll be surrounded by some of the world’s leading physicists, engineers, product, marketing and design people (to name a few!) with a strong desire to learn and transfer knowledge.

Meaningful values: You’ll work with an incredibly supportive team who work consistently to deliver our core values to be real, be trusted, be just and to be revered. 

Personal development: We provide you with a personal development and wellness budget. 

Make a dent: Last but not least you’ll have the unique opportunity to help set the direction for this revolutionary technology and truly make an impact that matters!

Q-CTRL aims to bring together cross-functional teams from many different backgrounds to help achieve our goals - we strongly encourage you to apply even if you do not meet all of the requirements mentioned in the job posting.

Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

Please be advised that our communications will only come from the @q-ctrl.com domain. All our active job postings are available on our company website.

To recruitment agencies, we do not accept unsolicited branded profiles and are not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.