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Senior Research Scientist - Fault Tolerant Quantum Algorithms

Find Data Science Jobs · College Park, MD · 1 wk ago
$146k–$191k/yrFull-time

IonQ, Inc. [NYSE: IONQ] is the world’s leading quantum platform and merchant supplier, delivering integrated quantum solutions across computing, networking, sensing, and security. IonQ’s newest generation of quantum computers, the IonQ Tempo, helps customers and partners—including Amazon Web Services and AstraZeneca—achieve 20x performance results and accelerate innovation in drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, logistics, cybersecurity, and defense. In 2025, the company achieved 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity, setting a world record in quantum computing performance. Headquartered in College Park, Maryland, IonQ has operations in California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Washington, Italy, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Quantum computing services are available through all major cloud providers, while networking and sensing solutions serve customers across land, sea, air, and space.

This position can work onsite or hybrid from one of our offices (College Park, MD; Bothell, WA; Toronto, Canada; Gothenburg, Sweden) or fully remote in the US. Travel: Up to 10%, domestic or international.

About the role

We are looking for a Senior Research Scientist – Fault-Tolerant Quantum Algorithms to join a cross-functional team that uses IonQ’s quantum computers to create highly differentiated quantum solutions that will bring value to society. As a deep technical expert on fault-tolerant algorithms, you will help develop next-generation quantum algorithms poised to exceed state-of-the-art classical methods. You will develop core IP, computational resource models, implementation libraries, long-term roadmaps, and end-to-end workflows with the potential to disrupt the field of computing. You will also work closely with internal and external customers/partners to brainstorm new ideas, contribute to multi-year initiatives, and represent IonQ at high-visibility technical conferences.

Responsibilities

  • Develop fault-tolerant quantum solutions that can make a large scientific and commercial impact across a wide range of industry verticals.
  • Be part of a client-facing team that finds, defines, and solves problems of real-world interest using IonQ trapped-ion quantum computers.
  • Contribute technical expertise toward comparisons of FTQC algorithms vs NISQ algorithms vs classical HPC algorithms, including knowledge of metrics and tools (classical and quantum) to evaluate and communicate pros/cons, current state-of-the-art, scaling behavior, trade-offs, and cross-over points.
  • Discover foundational IP and publish results in high-impact-factor peer-reviewed journals and conferences.

Requirements

  • 2+ years of professional experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Documented expertise in FTQC algorithms with line-of-sight to end-customer value (e.g., millions of qubits, billions of gates).
  • Ability to contribute to the FTQC algorithm community, including the development of tools (libraries, simulators, compilers), metrics (costing, resource estimation, ROI), and community (economic development, standards).
  • Relentless dedication to optimizing algorithm performance (accuracy, time-to-solution) through elegant theoretical equations, as well as engineering optimization and implementation.
  • Proven track record of domain expertise in fault-tolerant quantum computing, demonstrated through invited talks, repos, licenses, publications, and/or patents.
  • Experience being part of a team that finds, defines, and solves problems of real-world interest. Good team player with excellent communication skills.

Qualifications

  • Ph.D. in computer science, math, engineering, physics, or related fields.
  • Experience supporting writing and executing on government contracts.
  • Demonstrated expertise in C++, Python, Qiskit, or similar quantum SDK.
  • Demonstrated experience benchmarking quantum algorithms using varied metrics.
  • Success working directly with customers to define and deliver solutions.
  • Experience developing hybrid end-to-end solutions in a production or cloud environment; knowledge of CI/CD a plus.

Pay

The approximate base salary range for this position is $145,920 - $191,047. The total compensation package includes base, bonus, equity, and a range of benefit options. Compensation will vary based on individual factors such as education, qualifications, and experience of the final candidate(s), specific office location, and calibration against relevant market data and internal team equity.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans.
  • Matching 401(k).
  • Unlimited PTO and paid holidays.
  • Parental/adoption leave.
  • Legal insurance.
  • Home technology stipend.

This position requires access to technology subject to U.S. export control and government contract restrictions. Employment is contingent on verifying "U.S. Person" status (e.g., U.S. citizen, U.S. national, U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum) for export controls and government contracts work. Candidates must be a U.S. citizen, national, permanent resident, or lawfully admitted refugee/asylee.

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