Senior Research Scientist - Theory

Sorry, this job was removed at 08:01 p.m. (CST) on Wednesday, Jul 23, 2025
Easy Apply
Be an Early Applicant
Boston, MA, USA
Hybrid
Artificial Intelligence • Hardware • Software • Quantum Computing
Building the world’s best quantum computers to solve the world’s most complex problems.
The Role

IonQ is developing the world's most powerful full-stack quantum computer based on trapped-ion technology. We are pushing past the limits of classical physics and current supercomputing technology to unlock a new era of computing. Quantum computing has the potential to impact every area of human society for the better. IonQ’s computers will soon redefine industries like medicine, materials science, finance, artificial intelligence, machine learning, cryptography, and more. IonQ is at the forefront of this technological revolution. 

We are looking for a Senior Research Scientist. As a Senior Research Scientist, you’ll be part of a cross-functional team whose mission is to lead IonQ on its journey to build the world’s best quantum computers to solve the world’s most complex problems. 

To support these efforts, IonQ is expanding its theoretical research team and is hiring a Research Scientist to lead a dedicated research line on modular quantum computing. The primary responsibility of this position will be to conduct research on modular quantum computing across multiple qubit modalities including neutral atoms, ions and superconducting qubits.

Responsibilities: 

  • Design and evaluate architectures for fault tolerant, modular quantum computing with memory-assisted quantum networking layers based on diamond color centers, including detailed error modeling and numerical simulation to link logical performance metrics to key physical hardware parameters, optimized protocols for logical networking (e.g. distillation, lattice surgery, transversal operations), and analysis of performance requirements for modular computation/algorithm implementation
  • Provide input for specific near-term product designs as well as clarifying current and future needs in terms of scale, performance, and operation of the networking layer for enabling full scale, fault-tolerant quantum computing
  • Identify, analyze, and refine new use-cases and modalities for IonQ's hardware alongside others on IonQ and/or customers' theory and application development teams
  • Work closely together with hardware teams at IonQ to accurately address hardware constraints in the design of optimal architectures and protocols

You’d be a good fit with: 

  • PhD. in physics or closely related field
  • 6+ years of professional experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience
  • Multiple publications in one or more (preferred) of the following areas of quantum science: quantum error correction, distributed quantum computing, quantum hardware modelling, quantum networking

You’d be a great fit with:

  • Experience as independent researcher at the level of a postdoctoral researcher in quantum science
  • Scientific experience with diamond color centers
  • Familiarity with multiple types of quantum computing architectures and quantum error correcting codes
  • Proven track record of collaborating with experimental groups

Location: This role can work onsite or hybrid from our office in Boston, MA.
Travel: Minimal to none.
Job ID: 1065

The approximate base salary range for this position is $123,191 - $161,289. The total compensation package includes base, bonus, and equity.

Compensation will vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Posted base salary figures are subject to change as new market data becomes available. Beyond base salary, total compensation includes a variable bonus and equity component and a range of benefit options found on our career site at ionq.co/jobs.  Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided when a candidate receives an offer of employment. Our US benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, matching 401K, unlimited PTO and paid holidays, parental/adoption leave, legal insurance, a home internet stipend, and pet insurance! 

IonQ's HQ is located in College Park, Maryland, just outside of Washington DC. We are actively building out our recently opened manufacturing and production facility in Bothell, WA (near Seattle). Depending on the position, you may be required to be near one of our offices in College Park, Seattle, Toronto, Canada, and Basel, Switzerland. However, IonQ will expand into additional domestic and international geographies, so don’t let this stop you from applying!
 
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!


Similar Jobs

Hybrid
9 Locations
205000 Employees
139K-217K Annually
Hybrid
2 Locations
205000 Employees
185K-300K Annually

MetLife Logo MetLife

Senior Consultant

Fintech • Information Technology • Insurance • Financial Services • Big Data Analytics
Remote or Hybrid
United States
43000 Employees
105K-162K Annually

Grow Therapy Logo Grow Therapy

Program Manager

Healthtech • Social Impact • Software
Remote or Hybrid
United States
460 Employees
120K-168K Annually
Get Personalized Job Insights.
Our AI-powered fit analysis compares your resume with a job listing so you know if your skills & experience align.

The Company
HQ: College Park, MD
415 Employees
Year Founded: 2015

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.

Gallery

Gallery

Similar Companies Hiring

Fairly Even Thumbnail
Hardware • Other • Robotics • Sales • Software • Hospitality
New York, NY
30 Employees
Bellagent Thumbnail
Artificial Intelligence • Machine Learning • Business Intelligence • Generative AI
Chicago, IL
20 Employees
Kepler  Thumbnail
Fintech • Software
New York, New York
6 Employees

Sign up now Access later

Create Free Account

Please log in or sign up to report this job.

Create Free Account