Senior Staff Quantum Physicist

IonQ•Boulder, CO

2d•$188,000 - $282,000•Hybrid

About The Position

IonQ, Inc. is a leading quantum platform and merchant supplier, delivering integrated quantum solutions across computing, networking, sensing, and security. The company's newest generation of quantum computers, IonQ Tempo, has helped customers achieve significant performance results and accelerate innovation in various fields. IonQ has set a world record in quantum computing performance with 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity. Headquartered in College Park, Maryland, IonQ has global operations and its quantum computing services are available through major cloud providers. The company is making quantum platforms more accessible and impactful. This role is based at their Boulder, CO or Albuquerque, NM locations with the option for remote work a few days a week. Travel is up to 5%.

Requirements

A strong foundation in atomic or qubit-related physics, developed through a PhD in physics or a closely related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and practical experience.
At least seven years of post-PhD experience in academia or industry, or equivalent relevant research experience.
Ability to lead projects, work autonomously and guide junior scientists.
Proven experience in quantum control, with hands-on work in calibration, benchmarking or coherent control of qubits.
Practical skills in control software, hardware integration or experimental data analysis.
Strong proficiency in programming and data analysis.
A track record of collaboration across teams and clear communication of complex scientific results through publications, talks or conferences.

Nice To Haves

Experience linking experimental physics with control hardware, software and data analysis to investigate system performance and develop coherent control schemes for trapped-ion devices.
Experience of collaboration, mentoring and sharing scientific findings.
Deep experience in AMO physics or quantum computing.
Trapped-ion experience is useful but is not required.
Experience in spectroscopy or simulation of multilevel systems, control hardware characterisation, gate fidelity benchmarking or running algorithms on hardware.

Responsibilities

Take a leading role in research efforts, driving experimental efforts and the architecture of future generation quantum systems.
Pioneer advancements in quantum computing by utilizing trapped ion technology and proprietary laser-free quantum control methods.
Build on fully integrated quantum processors that can be fabricated within standard silicon foundries, leveraging high-performing qubit technology while ensuring scalability and manufacturability.
Focus on minimizing errors, striving to achieve ultra-low gate errors at scale.
Develop functional quantum computers within the NISQ regime, aiming to construct fault-tolerant machines that require minimal QEC overhead.
Lead the prototyping and characterisation of advanced coherent control schemes for trapped-ion qubits using laser and microwave fields.
Drive system-level benchmarking and optimisation, ensuring near-term devices achieve world-leading performance and stability.
Validate and integrate new trap technologies (e.g. on-chip electronics or photonics) to support scaling towards error-corrected architectures.
Guide junior scientists in experimental design, analysis, and presentation of results.
Represent IonQ at conferences and external collaborations.