Senior Quantum Scientist, Trapped-Ion Qubits at IonQ (Boulder, USA)
Job Description
IonQ is hiring a Senior Quantum Scientist to work hands-on with trapped-ion qubits in Boulder, Colorado. The work is experimental: prototyping control and cooling schemes, pushing gate errors down and validating new trap technology for large-scale machines. The posting mentions representing Oxford Ionics, now part of IonQ, at conferences.
At a glance
- Role: Senior Quantum Scientist (experimental)
- Where: Boulder, Colorado office, with some remote days
- Pay: US$126,887–181,949
- Background: experimental AMO physics or quantum computing; trapped ions preferred
- Apply: open until filled (re-checked 11 October 2026)
About the senior quantum scientist role
- Prototype and characterise coherent control and cooling schemes for trapped-ion qubits using laser and microwave fields
- Calibrate and benchmark quantum systems to reach ultra-low gate errors across device modules
- Validate emerging trap technologies, including integrated electronics and photonics for large-scale architectures
- Analyse experimental data and debug complex hardware-software interactions
- Present results internally and externally, including at conferences
What IonQ is looking for
- Proven expertise in experimental atomic, molecular and optical (AMO) physics or quantum computing; trapped-ion experience is preferred
- Strong collaboration skills and the ability to work independently in a fast-moving team
- Experience with spectroscopy or simulation of multi-level systems, characterising control hardware, benchmarking gate fidelity or running algorithms
- Strong programming and data-analysis skills, and a record of publications and talks
Pay and location
IonQ lists a pay range of US$126,887–181,949. The role is based at the Boulder office, with the option to work remotely a few days a week.
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
- Benchmarking: be ready to explain randomised benchmarking and how you would build an error budget for a two-qubit gate.
- Cooling: revise Doppler, resolved-sideband and EIT cooling and when each is used.
- Control: compare laser-driven and microwave-driven gates and their main error sources.
- Automation: describe a calibration you automated and how much time or fidelity it gained.
- Talk: prepare a 15-minute research presentation; senior experimental roles usually include one.
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.
