Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physicist - United Kingdom - National Quantum Computing Centre

Description

Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physicist (Band E)

Job Title: Atomic, Molecular and Optical (AMO) Physicist
Salary: Band E S1 £53,818 – £59,199
Location: RAL – Oxfordshire
Contract Type: 4 x Permanent Positions
Hours: Full Time (We understand the importance of work-life balance, and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants)
Visa Sponsorship: We are able to sponsor Visa applications, reimburse application fees, and encourage international candidates to apply. A relocation package may be available.

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 is a £93m UKRI investment over 5 years based at the Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire. This is a strategic element within the overall £1bn, 10-year investment into Quantum Technologies made by the UK since 2014.

The NQCC's initial 5 years will focus on developing a Noisy Intermediate Scale Quantum (NISQ) machine to demonstrate the technology as well as software, algorithm, and applications development. The longer-term aim is to scale the technology towards error and noise-free fault-tolerant platforms with benchmarking and verification proven in collaboration with UK and international partners. The NQCC will give assured and direct access to early prototype machines to developers and promote the formation of a strong UK-based quantum computing supply chain.

Our primary purpose is to fill a key gap in the research and innovation landscape addressing the challenge of scaling quantum computing. However, this technology is immature and extensive development work is needed to scale the fundamental science to provide usable computing systems.

UK Research and Innovation recognises and values employees as individuals and aims to provide a pay and rewards package that motivates staff to perform to the best of their ability. The reward package includes a flexible working scheme, a defined benefit pension scheme, 30 days annual leave allowance plus 10.5 bank holiday/privilege days and a number of other benefits. In support of continuous professional development, NQCC provides a comprehensive set of training courses.

About the Role:

As an experimental AMO physicist, you will work as part of the Neutral Atom Quantum Computing team within the Research division of NQCC. Utilising your skills in atomic, molecular and optical physics, you will support UK development of quantum computing resources based on neutral atoms. You will develop and deploy robust and reusable quantum computing platforms to support our technology roadmap, building scalable quantum computing capabilities and making progress against the NQCC technology roadmap.

You will join an expanding tweezer array quantum computing (TAQC) team, developing and pushing the limits of the TAQC platform in the UK. The team focus on building UK capability in TAQC, through the development of experimental hardware, utilization of QCaaS and in-house commercial platforms, road mapping the development of the TAQC platform, and collaboration with both academia and industry. Our in-house software team will provide control systems to support your work, and our applications engineers will help to explore early applications of your technology.

The wide range of activity undertaken by the NQCC TAQC team offers many opportunities for personal development. The role will center on designing and building cutting-edge experimental tweezer array quantum computing hardware in our world-class laboratory space, tackling problems that span physics and engineering. However, the role goes far beyond experimental physics. It might also involve chairing a national debate on the future of the TAQC platform. You might collaborate with an industrial partner to improve the reliability of the neutral atom platform by solving complex engineering challenges. Or you might demonstrate early quantum advantage on a commercial NISQ device.

We are keen to support professional development and if desired, you will be supported in obtaining professional accreditation through IOP CPhys or similar professional accreditation. Additionally, there are other opportunities to develop leadership skills through participation in Hackathons, Summer-Studentships, Apprenticeships, Masters and PhD programs.

While deep technical expertise in quantum computing is not required for this role, it would be considered valuable.

Project support will be provided via Quality Assurance, Monitoring & Evaluation, Procurement and Project Leader support staff within the Operations team as well as software, compilers, firmware, electronics and device specialists across the technology team as well as external expertise.

Key responsibilities of this role include:

• Play a leading role in the team, supporting the delivery of team objectivesDeveloping and testing experimental TAQC designs and architectures in-house.

• Proof-of-concept / engineering projects that overcome TAQC performance bottlenecks.

• Contributing to a roadmap that can scale TAQC platforms towards quantum advantage.

• Analyzing and reporting on commercial TAQC performance.

• Input into software and control architecture design, working with the NQCC software team.

• Running events & colloquia for the UK neutral atom quantum computing community.

• Collaboration across platforms within NQCC and with external commercial or academic partners.

• Publishing non-confidential results.

• Promoting best practice software development across the NQCC.

You will play a leading role in the team, supporting the delivery of team objectives.

Person Specification:

This role is suitable for persons holding PhD qualifications or equivalent experience in AMO physics or quantum technologies. An experimental physicist who 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.

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

• Educated to a PhD level (or equivalent experience) in a computing/Physics or Engineering related discipline (S)

• Experience in research in atomic, molecular or optical quantum technologies which may include publication(s) (e.g. quantum computing, quantum sensing, quantum imaging, quantum navigation e.t.c.) (S&I)

• Experience with experimental or theoretical methods relevant to quantum computing platforms based on neutral atoms e.g. laser cooling, atom trapping, simulation, benchmarking, verification e.t.c (I)

• Conceptual understanding of tweezer array quantum computing (I)

• Experience of collaborative research, especially intermural (S&I)

• Familiarity with R&D or laboratory environments (S&I)

• Experience with communication of science, e.g. academic event/conference management, community engagement or outreach activities (S&I)

• Appreciation of Health, Safety and Environment (S&I)

Join us and discover what's possible

About the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC)

As part of the UK's National Quantum Technologies Programme, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is leading a programme to establish a National Quantum Computing Centre, which 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. The Centre is a joint initiative of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).

A purpose-built National Quantum Computing Centre will be built and operated by UKRI at the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) campus in Oxfordshire. The Centre will be open and operational by December 2022. Until then, the NQCC's activities are taking place in other facilities on the Harwell Campus or at partnering institutions. The NQCC will sit alongside other departments within the STFC National Laboratories and will be part of the broader National Quantum Technologies Programme (NQTP).

The primary purpose of the NQCC is to fill a key gap in the research and innovation landscape addressing the challenge of scaling quantum computing. However, this technology is immature and extensive development work is needed to scale the fundamental science to provide usable computing systems.

The NQCC's initial 5 years will focus on developing a Noisy Intermediate Scale Quantum (NISQ) machine to demonstrate the technology as well as software, algorithm and applications development. The longer-term aim is to scale the technology towards an error and noise-free fault-tolerant machine capability with benchmarking and verification demonstrated in collaboration with the UK and international partners. The NQCC will give assured and direct access to early prototype machines to developers and promote the formation of a strong UK-based quantum computing supply chain.

About The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)

As one of Europe's largest research organisations, we ask the biggest questions in the universe to find answers that change the world around us. We seek understanding. We're proud of the impact we make. And we're committed to helping build a globally competitive, knowledge-based UK economy. Being part of all this means contributing to work that pushes boundaries and creates possibilities. You'll work with, and learn from, true experts. Whatever your role, you'll be free to question, and encouraged to share ideas. And, in a positive and supportive culture, you'll discover just what a difference you can make when you're equipped and inspired to excel.

We're a place where curious minds thrive. Not bound by profit, we explore ideas that others don't, ask questions that others won't, and discover answers that others are not equipped to find. And, alongside Mars landings and black holes, we also explore diverse, international projects in everything from science and engineering to computing and technology. Whether it's at the cutting edge or behind the scenes, our work is intellectually challenging. It's very often ground-breaking. And it's endlessly, irresistibly fascinating.

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.

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 .

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

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, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. 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. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the 'experience' section of the application.

Additional Information

• Organisation: Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) – National Quantum Computing Centre
• Contract Type: Open Ended
• Minimum Salary: Pound Sterling (GBP) 53,818