Quantum Computing Researcher At 1QBit

1QBit is dedicated to solving the world's most intractable challenges by recasting problems to harness the power of quantum computing. We identify demanding industry problems and apply breakthroughs in computation to machine intelligence and optimization science to build software that allows applications to continually benefit from advances in both quantum and classical hardware.

We believe that quantum technologies will form the next pillar of computational progress. We research, benchmark, and build software development kits, online platforms, and applications that make the power of quantum computers accessible to researchers, developers, and industry-leading organizations so they can solve their most difficult problems in fields such as optimization, simulation, and machine learning.

As an interdisciplinary team of world-class mathematicians, physicists, engineers, operations research scientists, software developers, quantum computing experts, and business leaders, we share a curiosity and drive to uncover new ways of solving currently intractable problems.

Our work is guided by a shared set of values focused on five fundamental principles:

• Audacity - A drive to pioneer and apply new methods. To dream without limit and then do the hard work of bringing your ideas into reality.
• Open Thinking - A belief in the sharing of ideas. To approach each exploration with a receptive mindset and collaborate openly to produce the best possible results.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration - A respect for the diversity of people, backgrounds, and skills. A wide range of perspectives reveals a more complete landscape and yields deeper insights.
• Ownership - A feeling of pride in the work of the team and a deep sense of purpose and accomplishment from your contribution.
• Beginner's Mindset - A desire to improve as an expert while retaining the curiosity and openness that inspired you to begin.

Your Role

As part of the Quantum Computing team, and in collaboration with researchers from multiple fields, you will contribute to inventing and developing novel hybrid quantum-classical algorithms for solving computationally challenging problems. In particular, you will be developing new hybrid algorithms for leveraging near-term quantum computing platforms for quantum chemistry simulations and its applications in advanced materials science and life sciences.

In addition to a significant research component, this position also focuses on prototyping, developing, testing and validating new ideas using object-oriented languages such as C++ and python and following good practices in continuous delivery, documentation, and testing. You will also have the opportunity to acquire further experience in high-performance computing and take part in our client engagements.

As part of this role, you will have the opportunity to be one of the pioneering scientists experimenting with emerging, cutting-edge quantum computing hardware or simulation frameworks available through our partnerships with leading manufacturers in the field such as Microsoft, IBM, and Rigetti. You will collaborate with a world-class team of quantum physicists, quantum chemists, computer scientists, HPC software developers, and operations researchers. You will also have the opportunity to work with some of our largest S&P 100 industry partners such as Dow Chemical to explore the applications of emerging computing platforms in their business.

"Why 1QBit?", you might ask... Well, as the first company dedicated to the development of quantum computing software, we are defining and transforming how the industry evolves.

If being a pioneer is not enough, you will also have the opportunity to work on some of the world's most challenging computational problems in the areas of machine learning, optimization, and simulation.

What You'll Do

As a core researcher in the field of quantum computing, you will be expected to participate actively in the following three activities which constitute a balanced combination of pure research, software development, and client engagement:

• Research and development as part of the core research team to develop new hybrid quantum algorithms for near-term quantum hardware. In particular, quantum algorithm design for quantum chemistry simulation on near-term quantum computing platforms.
• Supporting the development of a quantum computing software infrastructure project which involves the interfaces to a diverse set of gate-model quantum emulators.
• Supporting the Application team in client engagement projects involving the applications of quantum computing in advanced materials simulations to help develop a roadmap preparing for potential future impacts of this new paradigm of computation.

What You'll Bring

Members of our team bring a confluence of personality, skills, and intent that contributes to their individual development and our collective growth as an organization. The knowledge and mindset you will bring to our team include the following:

• Ph.D. in physics, computer science or any other relevant field with a strong background in and focus on quantum information processing and/or quantum computing.
• A track record of research in the field of quantum information processing, quantum computing, and/or quantum simulation. In particular, extensive knowledge of existing quantum algorithms and experience in developing novel algorithms is required.
• Experience with existing quantum computing platforms, including annealing and gate-model frameworks, using quantum hardware or classical simulations.
• Familiarity with error mitigation and quantum error correction techniques.
• Extensive experience in using and developing scientific computational and/or numerical analysis tools and familiarity with data science and machine learning techniques.
• Proficiency in writing modular, extensible, well-documented, and tested code in C++ or Python.
• Demonstrated experience in algorithm design and implementation.
• Familiarity with complexity theory and complexity analysis of quantum algorithms.
• Experience in designing, performing, and analyzing numerical experiments.
• Ability to convey technical concepts and considerations to non-experts.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication, organization, and leadership skills, while collaborating with both technical and non-technical team members.
• Self-motivation and the ability to take initiative and follow through reliably while challenging the status quo, taking smart risks, and being open to possible failure.
• A drive to proactively seek opportunities to help move projects forward and contribute to their improvement.
• An openness to soliciting feedback to improve your performance and, in turn, continually providing input to team members to elevate team performance and contribute to 1QBit's culture.
• An eagerness to learn about new trends, tools, and technologies, and to continually consider how these will influence our projects, including the implications and opportunities that they will bring.

Not a must, but nice to have:

• Familiarity with quantum chemistry and the quantum theory of strongly correlated systems is an asset.
• Demonstrated client interaction and presentation skills.
• Experience in modeling industry problems as abstract mathematical models.
• Experience with non-CPU hardware; in particular, FPGAs and GPUs.
• Familiarity with HPC, parallel computing, MPI, etc.
• Experience working in a team of research scientists on client projects.
• Experience working in an agile or scrum-based team structure.

Who You Are

You share our belief that principles, not policies, enable individuals and teams to apply their unique lens in making decisions. Like all 1QBit team members, you thrive in our flat hierarchy of empowered individuals. You embrace the rigorous examination of the thoughts and work of diverse minds from multiple disciplines because you know it uncovers deeper insights and produces robust results. You believe there is no failure in exploration because new breakthroughs often require rigorous examination of multiple paths before a conclusion is reached. You have a desire to apply yourself to purposeful work that is inspiring, meaningful, and fun, to create value for the world by advancing the ability to solve complex problems. You have a relentless curiosity for exploring new methodologies and you have an intrinsic drive to architect the foundation of the quantum ecosystem because you love the challenges and understand the rewards that the next paradigm of computation will bring.