Applications Scientist - Quantum Chemistry

Permanent employee, Full-time · London, UK, Oxford, UK

About The Role and Team

Working as an applications scientist, you will collaborate with our team to develop algorithms and identify applications of quantum computing. This role targets use cases such as materials science and pharmaceuticals and will require a strong theory background in quantum chemistry or condensed matter physics. You will support ongoing engagements with partners in industry and help foster new collaborations by providing technical direction and new ideas.
Your daily activities will involve identifying new quantum algorithms or improvements to existing ones, calculating algorithm complexity and resource requirements, testing out performance on example problems, and keeping constraints and capabilities of hardware platforms in mind. The role will require experience in existing quantum software tools and may involve developing new capabilities. Suitable candidates should have a track record of quantum algorithms research paired with specialisation in quantum chemistry or condensed matter physics.
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 (San Sebastián).

Functions of the Role

Use your quantum chemistry or condensed matter specialization to help develop quantum algorithms.
Engage with partners in relevant industries to understand their problems and whether quantum computing can help.
Use existing quantum software tools to realize our research goals and develop Quantum Motion’s software offering to target key algorithms and use cases.
Publish select results in academic journals or as white papers. Contribute to company intellectual property via patents.
Help train our internal theory team in your specialization and build up a critical mass of institutional knowledge.

Experience - Essentials

Top tier education and PhD in Chemistry, Physics, or a related discipline.
In depth experience in quantum chemistry or condensed matter physics, including areas such as density-functional theory and post-Hartree-Fock methods.
Track record of research into quantum algorithms.
Ability to code in Python.
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.
An enthusiasm to build teams and networks; a willingness to travel in support of this.

Experience - Desirable

Experience with computational chemistry tools such as Gaussian, ORCA, or PySCF.
Experience with quantum software tools such as qualtran, Qiskit, QuEST, or PennyLane.
Past completion of successful industry partnerships.
Experience and interest in tailoring algorithms to specific hardware constraints, such as noise and connectivity.
Experience of calculating resource requirements for quantum algorithms.
The candidate need not have experience with solid-state quantum computer systems, or indeed any specific quantum processors, since the relevant other Team’s will be available to provide their expertise. However, prior experience here is of course an advantage.

Benefits

Be part of a creative, world-leading team
Competitive salary and share options scheme
Contributory pension scheme
Private Medical Insurance
Choose your own laptop/kit
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.

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About us

Quantum Motion is a fast-growing quantum computing scale-up based in London founded by internationally renowned researchers from UCL and Oxford University with over 40 years’ experience in developing qubits and quantum computing architectures. Bringing together state-of-the-art cryogenic facilities and an outstanding interdisciplinary team, we are developing quantum processors based on industrial-grade silicon chips, with the potential to radically transform computing power in areas such as materials modelling, medicine, artificial intelligence and more.