Staff Scientist, Quantum Algorithms and Applications at IonQ (Bothell, USA)
Job Description
IonQ is hiring a Staff Scientist in quantum algorithms and applications to lead projects in condensed matter and high energy physics. The role combines near-term demonstrations on IonQ hardware with the design and resource estimation of fault-tolerant algorithms for future machines.
At a glance
- Role: Staff Scientist, Quantum Algorithms and Applications
- Where: Bothell, Washington office, hybrid
- Pay: US$174,520–250,253
- Level: doctorate plus postdoctoral or industry experience
- Apply: open until filled (re-checked 11 October 2026)
About the staff scientist role in quantum algorithms
- Lead condensed matter and high energy physics application projects, working independently against agreed goals
- Design and implement quantum algorithms, error mitigation and error detection methods, with demonstrations on near-term IonQ hardware
- Co-design fault-tolerant algorithms and estimate their resources with the compiler and error-correction teams
- Combine classical simulation and HPC with quantum methods in end-to-end workflows
- Collaborate with other algorithms, chemistry and software teams, and publish
What IonQ is looking for
- A doctorate in physics, chemistry, materials science or a related field, with postdoctoral or industry experience and a record of independent research
- Direct experience running quantum algorithms on near-term hardware using error mitigation and detection
- Experience applying fault-tolerant methods such as quantum phase estimation, Hamiltonian simulation or quantum singular value transformation to scientific problems
- Deep expertise in condensed matter or high energy physics, for example magnetic systems, strongly correlated materials, superconductivity, spin dynamics, Fermi-Hubbard models or lattice gauge theory
- Classical simulation and HPC experience, ideally with packages such as QuantumATK, Quantum ESPRESSO or VASP, and scientific programming in Python
Pay and location
IonQ lists a pay range of US$174,520–250,253, depending on qualifications, experience and location. The role is based in Bothell, Washington, with a hybrid working model.
How to apply
Apply through the official IonQ job posting. IonQ’s posting does not give a closing date, so the role is open until filled. ResearchJobs.in will re-check this listing on 11 October 2026. Check the posting for location and work-authorisation details before you apply.
Looking for more roles like this? Browse our research jobs on ResearchJobs.in.
Hiring institution: IonQ
Official advertisement: job-boards.greenhouse.io
How to prepare for this interview
- Model problems: be ready to explain how you would simulate a Fermi-Hubbard or lattice gauge model on a quantum computer, including the encoding.
- Error detection and mitigation: discuss which techniques you used on real hardware and the depth they bought you.
- Fault-tolerant costing: walk through a resource estimate for phase estimation on a physics problem.
- Classical baselines: know where tensor-network, DMRG or DFT methods succeed and fail for your problems.
- Research leadership: prepare a talk on a project you led end to end.
About IonQ
IonQ, Inc. (NYSE: IONQ) builds trapped-ion quantum computers and describes itself as a quantum platform company working across computing, networking, sensing and security. It is headquartered in College Park, Maryland, with operations in several US states and in Italy, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada and the United Kingdom, and its quantum computers are available through the major cloud providers.
