Architectures and Algorithms Scientist

About The Role and Team

This role focuses upon tailoring high-level quantum algorithms to run on our hardware. Successful candidates will be familiar with the established toolset of quantum algorithms and understand the compilation tools required to map circuits to a target gate set. With consideration of various quantum error correction schemes and the specifics of Quantum Motion hardware, you will research and develop processes to run circuits on target architectures while monitoring the resources consumed. Candidates should have experience working with the surface code and the use of factories to produce resource states. This role does not require prior understanding of Quantum Motion's silicon-spin hardware platform, with knowledge expected to develop on the job while working with other researchers in the team.

This role will provide a critical interface between applications and hardware development at Quantum Motion, allowing us to identify algorithms that are compatible with future iterations of our hardware. In addition to an established research background, we are looking for candidates with strong communication skills who can discuss with both applications and error correction / architecture researchers to understand capabilities. This role will involve working with in-house software engineers to automate the algorithms compilation process, primarily through the Python-based ecosystem of quantum software libraries.

This is therefore a rare and exciting opportunity to be an early employee at a start-up shaping the future of quantum computing. Being a small team and having a flat structure, this is a great opportunity to contribute to new developments within the field. There are multiple opportunities for professional growth and to make impacts within the company.

Our Team

Since 2021 our team has been listed every year in the "Top 100 Startups worth watching"in the EE Times, and our technology breakthroughs have been featured in The Telegraph, BBC and the New Statesman. Our founders are internationally renowned researchers from UCL and Oxford University who have pioneered the development of qubits and quantum computing architectures. Our chairman is the co-founder of Cadence and Synopsys, the two leading companies in the area of Electronic Design Automation. We're backed by a team of top-tier investors including Bosch Ventures, Porsche SE, Sony Innovation Fund, Oxford Sciences Innovations, INKEF Capital and Octopus Ventures, and we have so far raised over £62 million in equity and grant funding.

We bring together the brightest quantum engineers, integrated circuit (IC) engineers, quantum computing theoreticians and software engineers to create a unique, world-leading team, working together closely to maximise our combined expertise. Our collaborative and interdisciplinary culture is an ideal fit for anyone who thrives in a cutting-edge research and development environment focused on tackling big challenges and contributing to the development of scalable quantum computers based on silicon technology.

Our team of 100+ is based in London and Oxford, with international offices in Australia (Sydney) and Spain (SanSebastián).

Functions of the Role

• Develop processes to map high-level quantum algorithms to a hardware-compatible instruction set to realise fault-tolerant computation.

• Understand the tradeoffs between various quantum error correction tools and identify the best choice.

• Be familiar with architecture-level requirements and capabilities and factor them into the algorithm-to-hardware breakdown.

• Carefully account for the resources required to run a target algorithm, including the number of qubits and the runtime.

• Work with other researchers at the company to identify new directions and communicate constraints of existing approaches.

• Work with software engineers at the company to automate parts of the process.

• Present research results at internal and external meetings and events

Experience - Essentials

• Top tier education and PhD in physics, maths, computer science, or a related discipline.

• Track record of research into quantum computing, including work on applications and algorithms, architectures, or quantum error correction.

• Knowledge of commonly-used algorithmic techniques, such as quantum phase estimation, block encodings, amplitude amplification, etc.

• Familiarity with common error correction techniques, including surface codes and magic state distillation.

• Experience with writing up results in reports or scientific journals.

• Ability to clearly present scientific work to both technical and non-technical audiences, and an enthusiasm to travel for conferences and other events.

• Familiarity with using Python for research and development.

• Strong collaborative mindset with good communication and interpersonal skills.

• An inquisitive nature and logical approach to problem solving. A passion for tackling big challenges and, in particular, for developing quantum computers.

Experience - Desirable

• Prior work or expertise relating to emerging "good quantum LDPC" codes, their decoders, etc.

• An understanding of silicon-spin hardware systems is a bonus. Strong candidates without this experience are encouraged to apply, with knowledge expected to develop as part of the job.

• Examples of previous work compiling quantum algorithms to a target architecture, including an accounting of the resources required.

• Prior experience working in the quantum computing industry or in a startup environment.

• Proficiency with quantum software tools such as qualtran, Qiskit, QuEST, or PennyLane.

• Use of quantum intermediate representations such as QASM or QIR.

• Experience of optimising and running software scripts on HPC resources, including the use of GPUs.

Benefits

• Be part of a creative, world-leading team
• Competitive salary and share options scheme
• Contributory pension scheme
• Private Medical Insurance
• Life Assurance
• Cycle-to-work Scheme
• Flexible working
• Central London location

EEO Statement

Quantum Motion is committed to providing equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate based on age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, colour, religion, disability status, marital status, pregnancy, gender reassignment or any other protected characteristics covered by the Equality Act 2010.