Senior Quantum Scientist (Superconducting Circuits, Measurement Focus)

Job Title: Senior Quantum Scientist (Superconducting Circuits, Measurement Focus)

Location: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire, UK

Contract Type: Up to 2 xOpen-Ended

Salary: Band E S1, £58,346 gross per annum

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

Together, our scientist, technologists, engineers and business support team explore the unknown and turn what they find into work that changes the world around us.

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.

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.

Our Benefits include a flexible working scheme (subject to business requirements), Defined benefit pension scheme and 30 days annual leave allowance plus 10.5 bank holiday/privilege days and several other benefits.

The Role

You will be based in the Superconducting Circuits Team in the Research division of NQCC. Using your skills in quantum hardware you will work on a variety of science and engineering projects in superconducting quantum computing system scaling. You will develop scalable and robust quantum computing systems to build capability, progress on the technology roadmap, and maintain NQCC’s trusted technical expertise in quantum computing.

Key research areas will include control system architectures, robust calibration and benchmarking, error analysis and suppression, and quantum error correction.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and build superconducting quantum computing (SCQC) systems.
• Advance the calibration, measurement, and control software of SCQC systems.
• Perform quantum processor benchmarking and error analysis to guide development.
• Research scaling of control architectures, calibration, and quantum error correction.
• Collaborate on full-stack integration and use of quantum computers at NQCC.
• Perform collaborative R&D on key enabling technology aligned to the roadmap.
• Keep up to date with advances in the field, present and publish non-confidential results.

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.

(Please note the below criteria will be assessed at Shortlisting or Interview stage as indicated)

• PhD or industry equivalent research on quantum computing systems (such as superconducting circuits, trapped ions, neutral atoms, by direct or cloud-access) (S&I)
• Calibration, benchmarking and error analysis of quantum computing operations (S&I)
• Simulation of quantum system dynamics under control and noise (S&I)
• Knowledge on error reduction strategies such as optimal control, error mitigation, error correction (S&I)
• Scientific programming skills for simulation, measurement, and data analysis (S&I)
• Excellent technical communication across varied teams and disciplines (S&I)

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 are able to 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 or contact

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