Staff Research Scientist — Quantum Algorithms & Fault-Tolerant Applications

Q-CTRL•Los Angeles, CA

8d•$185,000 - $265,000

About The Position

Q-CTRL’s Applications & Algorithms team is seeking a Staff Research Scientist to establish and lead a research program in fault-tolerant quantum applications. The role focuses on identifying applications that could justify future fault-tolerant quantum computers and developing the algorithms, implementations, and quantitative resource analyses needed to assess when those applications may become useful. It is application-facing quantum-algorithms research rather than quantum-error-correction research, with most work involving theory, simulation, resource estimation, and research software. Contemporary quantum hardware or emerging logical-qubit systems may be used selectively to validate algorithms, primitives, or assumptions. The position spans application formulation through algorithmic primitives and logical resource requirements, in close collaboration with researchers in quantum error correction, compilation, control, and quantum software. Scientific simulation, quantum chemistry, and many-body physics are areas of interest, as are other application classes with a compelling, quantitatively defensible case for quantum advantage. The role also includes initiating and leading research projects, mentoring researchers, shaping technical direction, collaborating with engineering and product teams, and communicating and publishing research. Q-CTRL describes itself as a global leader in AI-powered quantum control infrastructure software, with offices in Sydney, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Huntsville, Berlin, and Oxford. The company says it prioritizes outcomes over hours and offers flexibility, equity potential, and competitive benefits. The targeted base salary range is $185,000–$265,000; the role may also be eligible for annual discretionary bonuses, equity, and other compensation.

Requirements

Deep expertise in quantum computing and quantum algorithms, with a record of independently leading substantial research projects.
Experience moving beyond asymptotic algorithmic results to explicit implementations, numerical studies, or concrete resource estimates.
A strong record of impactful research, demonstrated through publications, software, patents, presentations, or equivalent technical contributions.
Strong scientific-programming skills, particularly in Python, and experience developing reliable research software.
Ability to reason critically about quantum and classical algorithms and construct credible classical baselines.
Broad scientific judgment and ability to identify important research problems, set technical direction, and carry projects from concept through quantitative validation.
Experience using large language models or AI agents to accelerate scientific research, such as literature synthesis, hypothesis generation, code development, automated experimentation, or scientific reasoning.
Strong communication and collaboration skills, including the ability to work across quantum algorithms, error correction, compilation, software engineering, and application domains.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Chemistry, Engineering, or a related discipline; a PhD is strongly preferred, though equivalent research or industry experience may be considered.
Experience with Hamiltonian simulation, quantum phase estimation, quantum signal processing or QSVT, block encoding, amplitude estimation, or other techniques relevant to large-scale quantum algorithms.
Experience in quantum chemistry, many-body physics, materials simulation, or other scientific-computing applications.
Experience with fault-tolerant resource estimation or logical circuit synthesis.
Working knowledge of quantum error correction and fault-tolerant architectures.
Experience with HPC, GPU computing, tensor-network methods, or other advanced classical simulation techniques.
Experience executing algorithms on contemporary quantum hardware.
Experience in quantum compiler development or circuit optimization.
Experience in rigorous quantum-learning theory or other emerging application areas with a credible route to quantum computational advantage.

Responsibilities

Identify, formulate, and prioritize applications with credible potential for useful fault-tolerant quantum computation.
Design, implement, and analyze quantum algorithms for scientifically or commercially relevant problems.
Translate high-level algorithms into explicit logical workloads and quantify logical qubits, non-Clifford resources, circuit depth, measurements, runtime, and space-time overhead.
Develop algorithmic improvements that reduce fault-tolerant resource costs, including improvements to problem formulation, state preparation, Hamiltonian representation, measurement, and algorithmic primitives.
Establish rigorous classical baselines and quantitative criteria for assessing potential quantum advantage.
Build and maintain research software for algorithm implementation, simulation, benchmarking, and resource estimation.
Collaborate with Q-CTRL researchers in quantum error correction, circuit synthesis, compilation, and control to understand interactions between application algorithms and fault-tolerant architectures.
Use contemporary quantum hardware or early logical-qubit systems selectively to validate algorithms, primitives, or assumptions.
Initiate and lead research projects, mentor researchers, and help shape the technical direction of the Applications & Algorithms team.
Collaborate with engineering and product teams to translate research results into reusable capabilities and insights relevant to Q-CTRL’s technology roadmap.
Publish and present research in peer-reviewed journals and leading conferences, and engage with external academic, government, and industrial collaborators.
Communicate technical work clearly to expert and broader technical audiences.