Quantum Applications Engineer

at  Science and Technology Facilities Council STFC

Job Title: Quantum Applications Engineer
Salary: £42,840 to £47,124 (UKRI Band D – S1) dependent upon experience
Contract: Full-TimePermanent (We understand the importance of work-life balance and are happy to discuss flexible working opportunities with candidates)
Location: RAL – Didcot, Oxfordshire
Come and do the kind of engineering that made you want to be an engineer.. Alongside world-leading scientists, technicians and technologists, shape projects that improve lives, and daily life, in the UK and far beyond.
Put simply, come and discover the impact you can make when you’re equipped, encouraged and inspired to perform to your very best.
As part of the UK’s National Quantum Technologies Programme (NQTP), UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is leading a programme to establish a National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC). This 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.
Our primary purpose is to fill a key gap in the research and innovation landscape addressing the challenge of scaling quantum computing.

THE ROLE:

As an Applications Engineer, you will expand your skills and build your understanding of methodologies and technologies that enable the implementation and execution of quantum algorithms.
Your work will be in support of the NQCC’s quantum readiness activities, aimed at understanding the potential and the opportunities presented by quantum computing, its applications and utilisation. You will be working alongside hardware engineers, experts that are building and operating quantum computers. In addition, you will work with and be supported by software developers who build software and systems that access and control quantum devices. Project support is provided from support staff within the organisation.
Externally, you will be working collaboratively, alongside partners from industry and the research community, on exciting projects that aim to push the state-of-the-art.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Using quantum algorithms, emulators and quantum computers to develop solutions to practical problems and pursue pathways towards quantum advantage.
· Applying characterisation and benchmarking protocols to understand the performance and behaviour of quantum computers for algorithm execution.
· Using software development kits (SDKs) and tools to code quantum computers.
· Working on the development of a quantum applications roadmap.
· Working with enabling technologies to implement and execute quantum algorithms.
· Keeping up with the state-of-the-art in quantum computing.
· Upskilling to enhance your work and professional development.
· Working on a technical level across projects and workstreams.
· Working closely with colleagues and external stakeholders on real-world problems.
· Publishing non-confidential results appropriately.