Senior Quantum Scientist (AMO)

Job Title: Senior Quantum Scientist (AMO)
Salary: Band E S1 £58,346
Location: RAL - Oxfordshire
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full Time (We understand the importance of work-life balance, and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants)

Come and do the kind of science that made you want to become a scientist. Explore the unknown and get to grips with the biggest challenges in Big Science. And, alongside world class engineers, technicians and technologists, use everything you've learnt to find real-answers that shape society and improve lives.

Put simply, discover the kind of impact you can make when you work with some of the best facilities and brightest scientists in the world.

About Us:

As part of the UK’s National Quantum Technologies Programme (NQTP), UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is leading a programme to establish a National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC). This includes a commitment of £93m over 5 years, dedicated to drive development in the field of Quantum Computing and to place the UK at the forefront of the field.

Our primary purpose is to fill a key gap in the research and innovation landscape addressing the challenge of scaling quantum computing.

About the Role:

The NAQC team’s mission is to:

•    Design, build and deploy cutting-edge open-source NAQC hardware.
•    Build capability to act as UK’s trusted authority on NAQC. 
•    Convene the UK NAQC community and train the future NAQC workforce.

As Senior Quantum Scientist (AMO), you will work as part of the NQCC's Neutral Atom Quantum Computing (NAQC) team. The role is suitable for candidates with strong experimental or engineering skills and experience who are looking to develop into system-level roles. You will contribute to development and deployment of NQCC’s open-source quantum computing platforms to support our technology roadmap, integrating components into scalable quantum computers and pushing the boundaries of platform performance in the UK.

The role offers the opportunity to influence the technical direction of the national NAQC programme whilst remaining closely engaged with hands-on experimental and engineering work in the lab.

Key Responsibilities:

System and Sub-System Development:

•    Design, develop, assemble, and optimise neutral atom quantum computing sub-systems (e.g. QPU, laser systems, control systems).
•    Develop and run experiments to characterise performance and improve qubit fidelity, stability, and scalability.
•    Contribute to the integration of sub-systems into full-stack quantum computing platforms.

System-Level Planning and Architecture:

•    Contribute to system-level design, including requirements, interfaces, and performance targets.
•    Support the development of scaling strategies and system architectures.
•    Explore trade-offs across subsystems and their impact on overall system performance.

Open Architecture and System Blueprinting:

•    Contribute to the development of open-architecture policy & vision documents, system definitions, and system performance reports. 
•    Ensure work is documented to support reproducibility and knowledge transfer.

Collaboration and Ecosystem Engagement:

•    Work closely with internal teams across the NQCC (hardware, software, applications).
•    Collaborate with external partners including academia, industry, and national laboratories.
•    Participate in site visits, technical exchanges, workshops, and community engagement activities, contributing to the development of the UK quantum computing ecosystem and supply chain.

Technical Leadership and Contribution:

•    Take ownership of technical areas or sub-systems.
•    Provide technical input into project direction, planning, and delivery.
•    Influence internal and external collaborators through clear communication of technical results.

Dissemination:

•    Publish results in peer-reviewed journals.
•    Present work at conferences, workshops, and internal reviews.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a pragmatic, delivery-focused approach and work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment. They will have strong attention to detail and the ability to interpret and clearly communicate technical performance data at both component and system levels. They will be comfortable developing quantum technologies in a laser lab.

Person Specification:

We offer significant development opportunities at the NQCC, but as a starting point you should be able to demonstrate some of the following;

The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).

•    Educated to a PhD - level (or equivalent experience) in a physics, engineering, computing or a related discipline. (S&I)
•    Strong technical knowledge and understanding of the principles of quantum computing and / or closely related quantum technologies. (S&I)
•    Experience working with neutral atom quantum computing systems & hardware, or significant experience in a closely related quantum technology which may include publication. (S)
•    Hands-on experience developing, operating, integrating, and troubleshooting experimental quantum systems. (S&I)
•    Experience designing, implementing, and automating experiments, including development of software, scripts, or control routines for system operation and characterisation. (S&I)
•    Experience of characterisation, analysis, and refinement of neutral atom qubits and device-level performance through experimental measurement, calibration, and performance analysis, including fidelity, noise, stability, and error mechanisms. (S&I)
•    Strong communication skills and proven ability to work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment. (S&I)

Employee Benefits:

We are offering this position with a whole host of benefits including:

•    30 days holiday (in addition to 10.5 bank holidays and privilege days).
•    Flexible working hours.
•    An excellent defined salary pension scheme.
•    Easily accessible public transport links/ free parking.
•    Excellent learning and development opportunities.
•    Cycle to work scheme.

Link to more benefits: https://stfccareers.co.uk/rewards-and-benefits/ 

Additional Information:

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they are appointed. The required security clearance needed is CTC.

For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the United Kingdom for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the UK for the last 3 years as the role requires CTC clearance. However, UK residency less than the outlined periods may not bar you from gaining National Security Vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed for further advice. Please note for anyone who requires sponsorship we can review on a case by case basis.

Please note, if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you and any dependants travelling with you, will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager. For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs or contact Recruitment@ukri.org 

Join us and discover what’s possible!
 

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

More information can be found at www.ukri.org.

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme.  For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI.

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

As part of the pre-employment checks there is a requirement to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Screening. BPSS is a pre-condition of employment and failure to achieve it may mean that the employment offer is rescinded. UKRI reserves the right to run, or re-run, security clearance as required during the course of employment.