Senior Scientist, Quantum Applications at IonQ (Remote, USA)
Job Description
IonQ is hiring a Senior Scientist in quantum applications to turn advances in quantum computing into real scientific and commercial results. You will build and benchmark quantum algorithms in areas such as computational chemistry, optimisation and machine learning, and work directly with customers.
At a glance
- Role: Senior Scientist, Quantum Applications
- Where: remote, United States
- Pay: US$145,920–191,047 base, plus bonus and equity
- Experience: 6+ years, or an equivalent mix of education and experience
- Apply: open until filled (re-checked 11 October 2026)
About the quantum applications scientist role
- Develop, implement and optimise quantum algorithms, applications and end-to-end workflows in areas such as computational chemistry, optimisation and machine learning
- Work with customers and partners to define and solve real-world problems on IonQ’s trapped-ion computers
- Benchmark solutions rigorously and publish in peer-reviewed journals and conferences
- Help shape team culture in a group focused on new scientific discoveries
What IonQ is looking for
- 6+ years of professional experience or equivalent
- Python and/or C++, and Qiskit or a similar quantum SDK
- Hands-on work developing or optimising quantum algorithms for chemistry, optimisation or machine learning
- A record of innovative quantum work (papers, talks, open-source code, licences or patents) and the ability to explain it to scientists and business leaders
- A PhD in computer science, mathematics, engineering, physics or a related field
Nice to have
- Customer- or partner-facing technical projects from problem definition to delivery
- Variational algorithms and hybrid workloads spanning CPUs, GPUs and QPUs
- Algorithms for near-term and early fault-tolerant machines
- Resource estimation, benchmarking and scaling analysis
Pay and location
The approximate base salary is US$145,920–191,047, plus bonus and equity. The role is remote within the United States.
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
- Variational methods: be ready to discuss VQE and QAOA, their limits, and error-mitigation techniques that make them usable today.
- Chemistry or optimisation depth: pick one application area and know the best classical methods well enough to benchmark against them.
- Hybrid workflows: describe how you would split a workload between GPUs and a quantum processor.
- Communication: practise explaining a quantum result to a non-specialist in two minutes.
- Evidence: bring papers, repositories or talks that show results you delivered.
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.
