Principal Investigator, Quantum Error Correction

Riverlane•Boston, MA

26d•$180,000 - $245,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Riverlane’s mission is to master quantum error correction (QEC) and unlock a new age of human progress. From advances in material and climate science, to complex chemistry simulation for new drug design, quantum computers will help humanity solve some of its most important challenges. But without QEC, the industry’s defining technical challenge, such breakthroughs can never be achieved. Riverlane is the world leader in QEC technology. QEC is a complex problem that requires a range of skills, talent and passion. Having raised more than $125M in funding to date to accelerate our cutting-edge R&D in quantum error correction (QEC), Riverlane partners with many of the world’s leading quantum hardware providers and government agencies to make fault-tolerant quantum computing a reality. We’re making remarkable progress and growing fast. As a Principal Investigator, QEC at Riverlane, you will lead some of the company’s highest-value, most strategically important research programs – collaborations with world-class national laboratories, government agencies, and major research institutions. These partnerships sit at the core of accelerating the path to utility-scale quantum computing, and require scientific inventiveness, technical depth, and the ability to shape the direction of ambitious, multi-stakeholder initiatives. You will operate across Riverlane’s highly collaborative Research and Engineering organization, working alongside mathematicians, physicists, computer scientists, and hardware and software engineers to push the frontier of quantum error correction. In this senior role, you will blend hands-on research with technical leadership, setting scientific direction, representing Riverlane to external partners at the highest technical level, and – when opportunities arise – building and mentoring a small research team. This is a role for someone who wants to have impact at scale: defining new research directions, influencing the national QEC landscape, and contributing directly to solving the defining challenge of quantum computing.

Requirements

PhD in mathematics, physics, computer science, or a related technical field (or equivalent professional experience).
Experience as Principal Investigator engaging with different stakeholders (ideally in the government sector).
Track record of driving projects on time whilst meeting or exceeding expectations.
Experience leading projects involving multiple people
Ability to work effectively both independently, and as part of a team
Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to discuss complex ideas with a variety of audiences in a clear way
Must be able to obtain a US government clearance if required.

Nice To Haves

Experience leading collaborations with national labs, major research facilities, or government-funded consortia.
Contributed to or led large-scale, multi-year scientific programs or center-level research initiatives.
Deep expertise in one or more QEC-relevant areas such as fault-tolerant architectures, decoding algorithms, noise characterization, or system-level performance analysis.
Experience integrating quantum or HPC research with real hardware systems, simulators, or large-scale testbeds.
Strong network across the quantum computing research landscape and are comfortable representing an organization at senior technical forums.
Track record of securing significant external funding through competitive grants or program-level proposals.
Mentored, coached, or supervised early-career researchers or research engineers, formally or informally.

Responsibilities

Conceive, conduct, and lead original research in quantum error correction and related areas
Define and own the technical direction for externally funded research programs
Act as Principal Investigator with responsibility for technical delivery against agreed milestones
Drive research projects from concept through execution, working hands-on where appropriate
Publish high-quality research in leading journals and conferences, and present results at major venues
Lead technical contributions to competitive funding proposals and oral evaluations
Serve as Riverlane’s senior technical interface to government agencies, national labs, and research partners
Mentor researchers and contribute to Riverlane’s research culture and technical excellence
As programs grow and funding allows, there may be opportunities to build and lead a small research team