Senior Quantum Scientist (Trapped Ions)

Job Title: Senior Quantum Scientist
Salary: £58,346 gross per annum 
Contract Type: Up to 2x Permanent 
Hours: Full-Time OR Part-Time (minimum 0.8 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
 

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 NQCC:

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

About the Role:

The Trapped Ion Quantum Computing team is responsible for delivering trapped ion quantum computing capability at NQCC, supporting both internal system development and the wider UK quantum ecosystem.

The team’s mission is to:

•    Build the capability to act as the UK’s trusted technical authority in trapped ion quantum computing 
•    Deliver open architecture quantum computing systems
•    Provide technical appraisal of progress towards useful quantum computing

The role is suitable for candidates with strong experimental or engineering backgrounds who are looking to develop into system-level roles. You will contribute to the design and integration of trapped ion quantum computing systems, working across sub-systems and supporting platform-level performance and scaling. You will also contribute to the development of open architectures and system blueprints that shape both internal development and external collaborations.

This is a highly collaborative role, working across hardware, software, and applications teams, as well as with external partners. It offers the opportunity to influence the technical direction of a national programme while remaining closely engaged with experimental and engineering work.

Key Responsibilities:

•    System and Sub-system Development
•    Design, develop, assemble, and optimise trapped ion quantum computing sub-systems (e.g. QPU, laser systems, control systems).
•    Develop and run experiments to characterise device 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 sub-systems 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.

The role provides significant opportunity to gain experience in large-scale system integration across internal teams and external collaborators.

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).

•    PhD in Physics, Engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience in quantum systems. (S)
•    Strong technical knowledge in quantum computing or closely related technologies. (S&I)
•    Experience with trapped ion quantum computing platforms, or significant experience in a closely related quantum technology. (S&I)
•    Hands-on experience developing, operating, integrating, and troubleshooting complex 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 characterising, analysing, and improving trapped ion qubit and system 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/ 

How to Apply:

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

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.