Quantum Applications Engineer

As a Senior Quantum Applications Engineer within the National Quantum Computing Centre’s Quantum Applications Team (QAT), you will provide technical leadership in the development of innovative quantum computing solutions to complex real-world challenges. Combining deep expertise in quantum computing with the ability to carry out independent research and delivery, you will drive the identification, development, and validation of high-impact applications, helping to shape research directions and advance the state-of-the-art across quantum algorithms, software, and hardware.

Working within a multidisciplinary environment of scientists, engineers, and technology specialists, you will lead collaborative research and development activities, mentor colleagues, and influence technical decision-making across programmes. Your work will contribute directly to the NQCC’s mission of accelerating the UK’s quantum readiness, demonstrating quantum advantage where possible, and enabling the adoption of quantum technologies across key sectors.

The role offers significant opportunities to build and lead collaborations with stakeholders from government, industry, and academia. Through strategic partnerships, collaborative R&D programmes, and proof-of-concept projects, you will help define and evaluate future quantum computing use cases, translating emerging research into impactful solutions and strengthening the UK’s quantum ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead technical work and research to support the delivery of the team’s objectives.

• Utilise and retailor quantum algorithms; build models and develop code; programme quantum computers using relevant Software Development Kits (SDKs) and programming environments; build the necessary mathematical models, libraries and codebases to underpin delivery of the technical work and research.

• Promote collaboration with quantum algorithm, benchmarking, verification and error correction experts, to underpin and enable the delivery of useful applications.

• 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 solve those problems as a benchmark.

• Lead and deliver technical work on collaborative projects with colleagues and external stakeholders.

• Adopt and further the use of agile and software engineering methodologies.

• Lead the reporting and communicating of key findings and results, including the publication of non-confidential results in peer-reviewed journals.

• Keep up with the state-of-the-art in quantum computing.

• Contribute to the delivery of the NQCC’s strategic objectives and the UK’s delivery of Quantum Mission 1.

• Provide technical advice and guidance to junior members of staff., Electronic engineers, data scientists, research associates CMS/DUNE, research associate on electron ion collider (EiC), ion trap physicists

This role is suitable for persons holding PhD qualifications or equivalent experience in quantum algorithms and applications development, physics or quantum technologies. A Senior Quantum Applications Engineer works well as part of a multidisciplinary team, but also demonstrates autonomy within their area of responsibility. You will be proactive, self-motivated and able to work in a dynamic environment. You will have a good eye for detail interpreting and presenting technical data. You will be able to work/travel within the UK and overseas as and when required to attend international meetings with collaborators and/or events or conferences.

(Please note the below criteria will be assessed at Shortlisting [S] or Interview [I] stage, as indicated)

• Educated to PhD level (or equivalent work experience) in quantum computing, quantum information, or a closely related field. [S]

• Demonstrable track record of research in the field of quantum computing (or a closely related field), such as peer-reviewed publications. [S&I]

• Experience of delivering technical work and collaborative projects in the field of quantum computing (or a closely related field). [S&I]

• Experience of working with quantum algorithms in the areas of simulation, optimisation and/or machine learning, with knowledge in emulation, implementation of algorithms and execution of quantum circuits, as well as the challenges facing the above within the current state-of-the-art. [S&I]

• Strong and demonstrable experience in using classical programming languages, such as Python (as a minimum), as well as using programming languages and software development kits (SDKs - e.g., Qiskit, Cirq) to program quantum computers. [S&I]

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly present and disseminate technical work and results and influence internal staff and other stakeholders. [S&I]

• Excellent team working and collaboration skills, with a positive attitude towards working in a multidisciplinary team, but also the ability to demonstrate autonomy within the area of responsibility. [I]

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., * 30 days annual leave plus 10.5 public and privilege days.
• Flexible or hybrid working may be available dependent on role.
• Defined benefit pension scheme (employer contribution - currently up to 26%).
• Sport and social groups across campus with access to an on-site gym.

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!

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, UKRI - UK Research and Innovation

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., 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.

About the Team

The Science and Technology Facilities Council is a world-leading multi-disciplinary science organisation where curiosity-driven, blue-skies thinking meets practical, application-led science and engineering. Our goal is to deliver economic, societal, scientific and international benefits to the UK and its people - and more broadly to the world.

One of Europe’s largest research organisations, we’re trusted to support, enable and undertake cutting-edge projects in an amazing diversity of fields. Through world-class facilities and people, we’re driving ground-breaking advances in science, engineering, computing and technology. Our research seeks to understand the Universe from the largest astronomical scales to the tiniest constituents of matter, yet creates impact on a very tangible, human scale., At the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), research is driven by practical applications and a curiosity to create a world-leading hub of scientific and engineering excellence. Our science and facilities enable researchers to answer fundamental questions about the nature of the universe. Success typically requires long-term strategic investment, international collaboration on a global scale and the capability to push the limits of technology and engineering. To remain internationally competitive in our areas of science and to keep our facilities at the leading edge, we have to develop bespoke technology that cannot be reliably sourced on the open market, for example in detectors and instrumentation, accelerators, specialist engineering, optics and e-infrastructure. These technologies are often also applied to address broader societal and industrial challenges and we actively promote their translation and commercialization.

Why work for us When you join STFC, you become a key part of one of Europe’s largest research organizations. We are trusted to support, enable, and undertake cutting-edge projects in an amazing diversity of fields that you could be a part of. With access to our world-class facilities, people like you are helping us to drive ground-breaking advances in science, engineering, computing and technology.

• The Particle Physics Department (PPD) is one of the largest particle physics groups in the UK. We design, construct and operate some of the most sensitive scientific instruments in the world, collaborating with partners in academia, industry and international laboratories such as CERN. We currently work with the ATLAS, CMS, LHCb, DUNE, Hyper-K, T2K, MICE, Lux-Zeplin, DEAP-3600, CERN RD50, Electron Ion Collider and AION collaborations.
• The National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) is a £93m UKRI investment over five years based at the Harwell Campus. This is a strategic element within the overall £1bn, 10-year investment into quantum technologies made by the UK since 2014., The UK has a world-class research and innovation system. Our expertise spans all fields of knowledge, from the discovery of penicillin and monoclonal antibodies, to the jet engine and the World Wide Web. Therefore it is vital for us to have the best people at all levels throughout UKRI. We want to continue to attract a mix of talented professionals, scientists and engineers., STFC has 2594 staff members across the UK and UKRI has approx. 8000