Senior Scientist in Quantum Sensing (Magnetometry), Q-CTRL (Sydney, Australia)
Job Description
This quantum sensing scientist job in Sydney is in Q-CTRL’s Magnetometry Novel Hardware team. You will build and test atomic magnetometers, and take them from the optical table to field trials. It needs a PhD in atomic, molecular and optical physics, or equal industry experience.
At a glance
- Role: Senior Scientist, Quantum Sensing (Magnetometry)
- Team: Research, Sensing Research
- Where: Sydney, Australia; on site, full time, permanent
- Pay: Not stated in the posting
- Posted: 20 October 2026
- Apply: open until filled (re-checked 20 November 2026)
Why this role matters
Quantum magnetometers can help planes and ships navigate when GPS fails. Q-CTRL is one of few companies testing this outside the lab. The role gives an AMO physicist direct contact with real deployments.
What the quantum magnetometry scientist does
- Develop quantum magnetometers and support hardware for navigation, defence, geophysics and medical uses
- Design, build, test and characterise sensors in the lab and in the field
- Build early prototypes on optical tables, and turn results into requirements for engineering prototypes
- Find effects that limit sensor performance, such as vibration and electromagnetic interference, and reduce them
- Lead scientific commissioning through to field trials, and share results in reports and papers
What Q-CTRL is looking for
- A PhD, or equal industry experience, in atomic, molecular and optical physics or a close field
- Hands-on experience with quantum sensor hardware: lasers, optics and electro-optical systems
- Experience designing, building, running and characterising atomic sensors
- Python for simulations, data logging and analysis, with GitHub and tools like Poetry
- Clear communication of technical results
Nice to have
- Alkali-vapour magnetometers such as FID, NMOR or SERF
- Deploying quantum sensors in the field
- Interdisciplinary work with R&D scientists and engineers
Pay and location
The posting does not state pay. It mentions flexibility, equity potential and competitive benefits. The role is on site in Sydney, full time and permanent. Check Australian work rights before you apply; the posting does not discuss visas.
How to apply
Apply through the official Q-CTRL job posting. Q-CTRL’s posting does not give a closing date, so the role is open until filled; ResearchJobs.in will re-check this listing on 20 November 2026. Check the posting for location and work-authorisation details before you apply.
See all our quantum technology jobs, or browse more research jobs on ResearchJobs.in.
Hiring institution: Q-CTRL
Official advertisement: jobs.lever.co
How to prepare for this application
- Revise optically pumped magnetometers: optical pumping, Larmor precession and how FID, NMOR and SERF differ.
- Know the noise sources: light shifts, heading errors, vibration and magnetic interference in moving platforms.
- Show a field story: any time you took a lab system outdoors, or into a vehicle, is a strong example.
- Bring Python examples: data pipelines or simulations of spin dynamics you wrote and maintained.
- Read about Q-CTRL's sensing work: its quantum navigation product and published field trials.
About Q-CTRL
Q-CTRL is a quantum technology company founded in Sydney in 2017. It builds quantum control software for quantum computers and develops quantum sensors for navigation. It has offices in Australia, the USA, Germany and the UK.
