Staff Research Scientist – Quantum Algorithms, Fault-Tolerant Applications

Q-CTRL

. Identify, formulate, and prioritize applications offering credible opportunities for useful fault-tolerant quantum computation .

Posted 10/15/2026full-timeLos Angeles • California • United StatesLead💰 $185,000 - $265,000 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Python

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Identify, formulate, and prioritize applications offering credible opportunities for useful fault-tolerant quantum computation
Design, implement, and analyze quantum algorithms for scientifically or commercially relevant problems
Translate high-level algorithms into explicit logical workloads and quantify logical qubits, non-Clifford resources, circuit depth, measurements, runtime, and space-time overhead
Develop algorithmic improvements that reduce fault-tolerant computation resource costs
Establish rigorous classical baselines and quantitative criteria for assessing potential quantum advantage
Build and maintain research software for algorithm implementation, simulation, benchmarking, and resource estimation
Collaborate with researchers in quantum error correction, circuit synthesis, compilation, and control
Use contemporary quantum hardware or early logical-qubit systems selectively for validation experiments
Initiate and lead ambitious research projects, mentor researchers, and shape the Applications & Algorithms team’s technical direction
Collaborate with engineering and product teams to translate research into reusable capabilities and technology-roadmap insights
Publish and present research at peer-reviewed journals and leading conferences
Engage with external academic, government, and industrial collaborators
Communicate technical work to expert and broader technical audiences

Requirements

What you’ll need

Advanced degree in Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Chemistry, Engineering, or a related discipline (preferred, not required)
PhD strongly preferred; exceptional candidates with equivalent research or industry experience considered
Deep expertise in quantum computing and quantum algorithms
Record of independently leading substantial research projects
Experience with explicit implementations, numerical studies, or concrete resource estimates
Strong record of impactful research demonstrated through publications, software, patents, presentations, or equivalent technical contributions
Strong scientific-programming skills, particularly in Python
Experience developing reliable research software
Ability to reason critically about quantum and classical algorithms and construct credible classical baselines
Broad scientific judgment and ability to identify important research problems, set technical direction, and carry projects through quantitative validation
Experience using large language models or AI agents to accelerate scientific research
Strong communication and collaboration skills across quantum algorithms, error correction, compilation, software engineering, and application domains
Desirable skills include Hamiltonian simulation, quantum phase estimation, quantum signal processing/QSVT, block encoding, amplitude estimation, quantum chemistry, many-body physics, materials simulation, fault-tolerant resource estimation, quantum error correction, HPC, GPU computing, tensor-network methods, contemporary quantum hardware, quantum compiler development, circuit optimization, and quantum-learning theory

Benefits

Comp & perks

Annual discretionary bonuses may be available
Equity potential
Competitive benefits
Flexible work arrangements
Global office and team environment
Benefits information available through Q-CTRL careers page