Quantum Algorithms Researcher; Senior

Quantum Algorithms Researcher (Senior/Staff) at Psi Quantum, Daresbury, England. A senior-level full time position in the 3800 - Quantum Applications team, listed under hardware engineering.

Psi Quantum is seeking a Senior Quantum Algorithms Researcher to join the Quantum Algorithms team within our Applications Development department. This role offers the opportunity to help define how large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computers will be applied to consequential real-world problems in chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and materials science.

At Psi Quantum, we believe in the transformative potential of quantum computing to solve problems beyond the reach of classical computation. For the first quantum computers to be useful, we believe they must be fault tolerant.

This conviction shapes our approach to applications research. Rather than developing algorithms for near-term or intermediate-scale devices, we focus on quantum algorithms designed for the fault-tolerant regime, where, specifically, the cost of a quantum algorithm is determined by its runtime on a fusion-based, fault-tolerant quantum computer built on silicon photonic hardware.

In the Quantum Algorithms team, we adapt and develop quantum algorithms, scope and identify promising use cases, and analyze resource requirements. In your role, you will translate computational tasks into abstract specifications for quantum algorithms, analyze their asymptotic performance, and help define meaningful problem instances that lie beyond the practical reach of classical computation. You will also work closely with Psi Quantum’s Compilation team to develop explicit instantiations of these algorithms and understand their resource requirements on our architecture.

We are particularly interested in candidates with deep expertise in quantum simulation. Relevant areas may include simulated time-evolution algorithms, quantum algorithms for estimating the energies of molecular or periodic systems, and methods for preparing candidate ground states of model Hamiltonians.

• Propose initiatives into research and development of quantum algorithms tailored for fault-tolerant quantum computers; act as primary contributor to research programs beyond the current state of the art in quantum algorithms design.
• Work closely with external partners to instantiate, validate and optimize quantum algorithms for use cases across a variety of domains, such as life sciences, industry and sustainability.
• Establish families of benchmarks and problem instances to validate post-classicality of quantum algorithms.
• Guide both the simulation and analysis of resource requirements for fault tolerant implementation of quantum algorithms in photonic quantum computing.

• 8+ years of research experience (academia or industry) in the field of quantum computing, with focus on algorithms and applications.
• A degree in Physics, Math or Computer Science or equivalent is required. PhD in Physics, Math or Computer Science, with a focus on quantum information theory or quantum computation will be preferred.
• Experience with quantum algorithms and compiling in the regime of fault tolerant gates preferred .
• Experience working with partners in academia or industry to analyze real-world quantum applications of interest preferred.
• Proven team player with an ability to work effectively across departments, sites and time zones.
• Ability to work independently and contribute to fast-moving start-up environment.
• Experience programming in Python, C++ or similar languages.