Staff Scientist - Quantum Characterization & Benchmarking

IonQ•Boulder, WA

9h•$1 - $1

About The Position

IonQ is seeking a Staff Scientist specializing in quantum characterization and benchmarking to serve as the technical lead of the QCVV team. The role will drive development of novel characterization and benchmarking protocols for IonQ’s quantum processors, with work informing the design and optimization of next-generation quantum error correction architectures. The Staff Scientist will lead QCVV research, develop scalable benchmarking frameworks, and collaborate with experimental and quantum error correction teams to turn theoretical insights into measurable system improvements. The role also sets research direction for processor characterization, develops protocols that scale to many qubits and connect measurements to error models used by architects and QEC researchers, publishes research, represents IonQ at conferences, and mentors junior researchers while shaping the QCVV team’s technical direction.

Requirements

PhD in physics, quantum information, mathematics, or a related field.
Seven or more years of research experience in quantum characterization, benchmarking, or closely related fields.
Strong publication record in quantum information science.
Ability to write, read, and debug scientific simulations and prototypes.
Deep expertise in quantum benchmarking protocols, such as randomized benchmarking, gate set tomography, and character benchmarking.

Nice To Haves

Expertise in representation theory as applied to QCVV.
Experience with scalable benchmarking methods for many-qubit systems.
Experience with trapped-ion or neutral-atom quantum systems.
Familiarity with quantum error-correction codes and decoder design.

Responsibilities

Lead development of novel, scalable QCVV protocols for multi-qubit quantum processors.
Design benchmarks sensitive to specific noise types, informed by component-level characterizations and first principles.
Develop theoretical frameworks connecting characterization data to actionable error models, such as detector error models.
Collaborate with QEC and compiler teams to inform error-correction code selection and decoder design.
Publish research results in top-tier venues and represent IonQ at conferences.
Mentor junior researchers and help shape the technical direction of the QCVV team.
Set research direction for quantum processor characterization, developing protocols that scale to many qubits and connect measurements to error models used by system architects and QEC researchers.