Quantum Scientist - Algorithms (Intermediate to Senior)

About Xanadu:

Xanadu’s mission is to build quantum computers that are useful and available to people everywhere. 
At Xanadu, we are learners, innovators, researchers, collaborators, and problem solvers. We are creating something that has never been built before. What we are doing is extremely hard, the classic moon shot. Few people in their life will be able to be a part of something like this, where if we are successful, the technologies we develop will solve some of the world’s most challenging problems, and literally change the world. That is something to be excited about!
Your role and responsibilities:

As a senior quantum algorithms researcher, you will act as a key technical leader within a team of scientists dedicated to unlocking the real-world impact of fault-tolerant quantum computers. You will drive the discovery of cutting-edge quantum algorithms, perform rigorous performance optimizations, and define high-value applications across a variety of industries. Whether your primary strength is pioneering algorithms or uncovering novel applications, you will expertly bridge both domains to shape our research roadmap. At Xanadu, you will spearhead research initiatives alongside industry, government, and academic partners, exercising high-level technical influence across our software, hardware, and business development teams.

In more detail, you will focus deeply on two or more of the following areas:

• Design and pioneer innovative quantum algorithms for fault-tolerant quantum computers, setting the technical research direction.
• Lead initiatives to radically improve algorithm efficiency by reducing qubit counts, gate complexity, and overall resource requirements.
• Strategize and scope high-value applications targeted at our focus industries, translating broad business potential into concrete technical roadmaps.
• Design robust frameworks to demonstrate the feasibility and scalability of new algorithms and applications through rigorous resource estimation.
• Serve as the principal technical authority when collaborating with external industry leaders to architect and deliver solutions for real-world problems.
• Guide cross-functional efforts with compilation and quantum error correction (QEC) experts to map complex quantum algorithms to fault-tolerant architectures.
• Drive the technical vision alongside PennyLane software developers to create state-of-the-art tools for the broader quantum algorithms research community.

Regardless of your specific focus areas, you will consistently:

• Lead the authorship of high-impact scientific papers, technical reports, and comprehensive documentation.
• Proactively identify opportunities for valuable intellectual property and drive the filing of patents.
• Represent Xanadu as a subject matter expert, presenting key research findings to strategic partners and delivering talks at premier industry conferences and events.

Basic qualifications and experience:

• PhD in Physics, Computer Science, Chemistry, Mathematics, Engineering, or a related quantitative discipline — or equivalent practical experience.
• 3+ years of post-PhD research experience in an industry, government, or advanced academic setting
• Expert knowledge of fundamental concepts in quantum algorithms, such as Hamiltonian simulation, Trotter product formulas, quantum signal processing, linear combination of unitaries, amplitude amplification, quantum phase estimation, and quantum read-only memories.
• Expertise in application areas such as quantum chemistry, materials science, pharmaceuticals, machine learning, optimization, finance, cryptanalysis, or fluid dynamics.
• Strong track record of research accomplishments in quantum computing, evidenced by publications, patents, or technical work.
• Proven ability to act as a technical lead on complex, ambiguous research projects, driving them independently from initial conception to completion.
• Experience acting as a primary technical authority for external partners.
• Capacity to thrive in an interdisciplinary team environment and drive independent research when required.
• Excellent communication skills, with a proven ability to convey complex technical ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Strong self-management skills to balance individual project priorities, deadlines, and deliverables in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred qualifications and experience:

• Experience performing constant-factor resource estimation for fault-tolerant quantum algorithms.
• Experience collaborating with industry or government partners.
• Strong software development and scientific programming skills in Python, preferably with a proven track record of contributing to open-source scientific libraries.
• Solid understanding of quantum error correction and fault-tolerant architectures
• Knowledge of quantum compilation techniques.

This is for a new position. Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and internal benchmarks. The base salary range is 100,000 - 140,000 CAD for intermediate and 150,000 - 180,000 CAD for senior. You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.