About IonQ:
IonQ, Inc. [NYSE: IONQ] is the world’s leading quantum platform and merchant supplier - delivering integrated quantum solutions across computing, networking, sensing, and security. IonQ’s newest generation of quantum computers, the IonQ Tempo, is the latest in a line of cutting-edge systems that have been helping customers and partners including Amazon Web Services, and AstraZeneca achieve 20x performance results and accelerate innovation in drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, logistics, cybersecurity, and defense. In 2025, the company achieved 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity, setting a world record in quantum computing performance.
Headquartered in College Park, Maryland, IonQ has operations in California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Washington, Italy, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Our quantum computing services are available through all major cloud providers, while we also meet the needs of networking and sensing customers across land, sea, air, and space. IonQ is making quantum platforms more accessible and impactful than ever before.
Location: This role is based at our Oxford, UK office with the option to work a few days a week remotely.
Travel: Up to 5%
Job ID: 1777
The Role:
We are pioneering advancements in quantum computing by utilizing trapped ion technology and our proprietary laser-free quantum control methods. Our research and development efforts build on our fully integrated quantum processors that can be fabricated within standard silicon foundries. This unique approach allows us to leverage the highest-performing qubit technology while ensuring scalability and manufacturability using existing semiconductor fabrication technology. We approach quantum computing with a focus on minimizing errors, striving to achieve ultra-low gate errors at scale. Our immediate objective is to develop functional quantum computers within the NISQ regime, aiming to construct fault-tolerant machines that require minimal QEC overhead. Our recent breakthroughs include achieving 99.97% fidelity in two-qubit gates and 99.9992% fidelity in single-qubit operations without error correction, setting new industry standards for performance.
We are looking for Quantum Scientist to join our UK Science team at IonQ. Our Quantum Scientists work at the forefront of our research efforts to develop the next generation of quantum computers.
They are responsible for validating and optimising the performance of our computers, playing a critical role in ensuring we are able to meet our research and development goals and timelines. Our Scientists’ work spans a broad range of areas from designing, coding, debugging and executing experiments, to developing and validating novel control schemes. They are responsible for documenting and sharing their findings with the aim of pushing the boundaries of system performance.
Responsibilities:
As a Senior Quantum Scientist, you will typically be responsible for a combination of these different responsibilities:
- Prototyping and characterising coherent control and cooling schemes for trapped-ion qubits using laser and microwave fields.
- Calibrating and benchmarking quantum systems, focusing on achieving the highest fidelities for quantum circuit primitives (e.g. ion transport or gate operations) and full circuits.
- Validating emerging trap technologies, including integrated electronics and photonics for large-scale architectures.
- Analysing experimental data, debug complex hardware/software interactions, and ensure reliability of qubit operations.
Requirements:
To be successful in this role, you will need a PhD in physics or a related discipline, with a strong foundation in atomic or qubit-related physics. Prior postdoctoral or industry experience is valuable, but we are open to applicants moving directly from a PhD.
We’re looking for someone with a solid background in quantum control, and hands-on experience in calibration, benchmarking, or coherent control of qubits, would be desirable. We’re looking for motivated scientists who can contribute to the progress of this fast moving, highly technical team and help the organisation meet our research goals.
You’d be a great fit with:
- Proven expertise in experimental AMO physics or quantum computing. Experience with trapped ions is beneficial though not essential.
- Prior experience in one or more of the following: spectroscopy or coherent control of multi-level systems, characterisation of control hardware, gate fidelity benchmarking or running quantum circuits on hardware.
- Strong proficiency in programming and data analysis, experience of Python or Rust is desirable.
- Strong collaborative skills, with the ability to work independently and as part of a fast-moving team.
- A track record of scientific communication through publications, talks and conferences would be advantageous.
Benefits:
Be part of a team that’s shaping the future of quantum. We offer more than just a role, you’ll join a world class community of scientists, engineers and innovators working to unlock the full potential of quantum computing.
We offer a range of benefits, including opportunities to further your career alongside industry leaders, a competitive salary with IonQ stock options, an annual performance bonus, generous annual leave, flexible hybrid working, private medical and dental insurance for you and your family, and much more.
Join us and be part of the future of quantum computing.
We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
Compensation will vary based on individual factors such as education, qualifications, and experience of the final candidate(s), specific office location, and calibration against relevant market data and internal team equity. Posted base salary figures are subject to change as new market data becomes available. Our benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, matching 401(k), unlimited PTO and paid holidays, parental/adoption leave, legal insurance, and a home technology stipend. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided when a candidate receives an offer of employment.
At IonQ, we believe in fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all while striving to identify and eliminate barriers. We empower employees to thrive by fostering a culture of autonomy, productivity, and respect. We are dedicated to creating an environment where individuals can feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued.
We are committed to equity and justice. We welcome different voices and viewpoints and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ancestry, physical and/or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
US Technical Jobs. The position you are applying for will require access to technology that is subject to U.S. export control and government contract restrictions. Employment with IonQ is contingent on either verifying “U.S. Person” (e.g., U.S. citizen, U.S. national, U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum) status for export controls and government contracts work, obtaining any necessary license, and/or confirming the availability of a license exception under U.S. export controls. Please note that in the absence of confirming you are a U.S. Person for export control and government contracts work purposes, IonQ may choose not to apply for a license or decline to use a license exception (if available) for you to access export-controlled technology that may require authorization, and similarly, you may not qualify for government contracts work that requires U.S. Persons, and IonQ may decline to proceed with your application on those bases alone. Accordingly, we will have some additional questions regarding your immigration status that will be used for export control and compliance purposes, and the answers will be reviewed by compliance personnel to ensure compliance with federal law.
US Non-Technical Jobs. Due to applicable export control laws and regulations, candidates must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum. Accordingly, we will have some additional questions regarding your immigration status that will be used for export control and compliance purposes, and the answers will be reviewed by compliance personnel to ensure compliance with federal law.
If you are interested in being a part of our team and mission, we encourage you to apply!
Skills Required
- PhD in physics or a related discipline
- Strong foundation in atomic or qubit-related physics
- Solid background in quantum control
- Expertise in experimental AMO physics or quantum computing
- Strong proficiency in programming and data analysis
- Experience with calibration, benchmarking, or coherent control of qubits
- Experience with trapped ions
- Experience with spectroscopy or coherent control of multi-level systems
- Experience characterizing control hardware, benchmarking gate fidelity, or running quantum circuits on hardware
- Experience with Python or Rust
- Strong collaborative skills and ability to work independently
- Scientific communication through publications, talks, and conferences
IonQ Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about IonQ and has not been reviewed or approved by IonQ.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is described as comprehensive, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, HSA options, and no-cost mental-health support. Company materials also cite strong premium coverage levels for employees and dependents in recent years.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid maternity, paternity, and bonding leave are presented as fully paid for eligible employees. This breadth of family support is emphasized across company and job materials.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) with company match up to 5% is part of the package, with materials noting a relatively short vesting schedule. Retirement support is positioned as a core element of total rewards.
IonQ Insights
What We Do
Quantum computers are a revolutionizing technology — they have the potential to transform business, society, and the planet for the better, and IonQ is at the forefront of this revolution. After over 25 years of academic research, IonQ was founded in 2015 by Chris Monroe and Jungsang Kim with $2 million in seed funding from New Enterprise Associates, a license to core technology from the University of Maryland and Duke University, and the goal of taking trapped ion quantum computing out of the lab and into the market. In the following three years, we raised an additional $20 million from GV, Amazon Web Services, and NEA, and built two of the world’s most accurate quantum computers. In 2019, we raised another $55 million in a round led by Samsung and Mubadala, and announced partnerships with Microsoft and Amazon Web Services to make our quantum computers available via the cloud. In 2020 and 2021, we built additional generations of high performance quantum hardware, added Google Cloud Marketplace to our cloud partner roster and announced a series of collaborations and business partnerships with leading academic and commercial institutions. On October 1st, 2021, IonQ began trading as IONQ on the New York Stock Exchange, making it the world's first public pure-play quantum computing company. We remain hard at work realizing the world-changing potential of quantum computing.
Why Work With Us
We’re growing a passionate, diverse team of collaborative, creative people. We believe in pursuing innovative, challenging work with integrity, alongside team members we can learn from and grow with.
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