Quantum Applications Engineer

Job Title: Quantum Applications Engineer

Salary: Band S1 £ 46,444 gross per annum

Contract Type: Up to 3x Permanent Positions

Hours: Full-Time or Part Time (minimum 0.6

FTE)(We understand the importance of work-life balance, and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants)

Location: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX

Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers and business support team explore the unknown and turn what they find into work that changes the world around us. Whether it’s sending probes into space or finding new ways to treat cancer, everyone here plays a vital role in making a positive difference to society.

Come and discover how much you can achieve when you’re surrounded by world-leading experts, encouraged to constantly learn and empowered to explore your curiosity!

The National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) is the UK’s national laboratory dedicated to accelerating the development and adoption of quantum computing. Headquartered at the Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire, the NQCC works across government, industry, and academia to address the engineering challenges of scaling quantum computers and to build a quantum-ready economy. Its mission is to enable the UK to solve complex societal and industrial challenges by harnessing the transformative potential of quantum computing.

The NQCC is a joint initiative of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). It sits alongside other departments within the STFC National Laboratories and has a 10-year funding commitment as part of the National Quantum Strategy

As a Quantum Applications Engineer within the National Quantum Computing Centre’s Quantum Applications Team (QAT), you will develop innovative quantum computing solutions to real-world problems, translating emerging quantum computing technologies into practical applications across a range of sectors. Working at the intersection of enabling elements such as quantum algorithms, benchmarking, error correction and software tools, you will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of scientists, engineers, and developers, with access to cutting‑edge quantum computing platforms and testbeds.

Your work will contribute to the NQCC’s mission to accelerate the UK’s quantum readiness and unlock the potential of quantum computing. Through the development, evaluation, and demonstration of quantum‑enabled solutions, you will help shape and influence the future adoption of quantum computing, advancing both the state‑of‑the‑art and the UK’s broader quantum ambitions. The role also offers significant opportunities to work within a rich and diverse ecosystem, spanning partners across government, industry, and academia.

Through collaborative R&D activities and proof‑of‑concept projects, you will help organisations explore, evaluate, and demonstrate the potential of quantum computing for real‑world challenges, accelerating the path from emerging research to impactful applications.

• Responsibilities and day-to-day activities of a successful candidate:
• Work collaboratively across the team to develop practical applications for quantum computing.
• Utilise and retailor quantum algorithms; build models and develop code; programme quantum computers using relevant Software Development Kits (SDKs) and programming environments.
• Work with colleagues and external stakeholders to identify suitable problem types and develop use‑cases for quantum computing relevant to priority sectors, such as life sciences, healthcare, finance, energy and transport.
• Analyse quantum advantage for practical problems, using leading classical techniques that…