Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physicist

Job Title: Atomic, Molecular and Optical (AMO) Physicist
Salary: Band E S1 £53,818 - £59,199
Location: RAL - Oxfordshire
Contract Type: 1 Permanent Position
Hours: Full Time
(We understand the importance of work-life balance, and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants)
Visa Sponsorship: We are able to sponsor Visa applications, reimburse application fees, and encourage international candidates to apply. A relocation package may be available.

About the Role:

As an experimental AMO physicist, you will work as part of the Neutral Atom Quantum Computing team within the Research division of NQCC. Utilizing your skills in atomic, molecular and optical physics, you will support UK development of quantum computing resources based on neutral atoms. You will develop and deploy robust and re-usable quantum computing platforms to support our technology roadmap, building scalable quantum computing capabilities and making progress against the NQCC technology roadmap. You will join a growing tweezer array quantum computing (TAQC) team, developing and pushing the limits of the TAQC platform in the UK. The team focus on building UK capability in TAQC, through development of experimental hardware, utilization of QCaaS and in-house commercial platforms, road mapping the development of the TAQC platform, and collaboration with both academia and industry. Our in-house software team will provide control systems to support your work, and our applications engineers will help to explore early applications of your technology. The wide range of activity undertaken by the team offers many opportunities for personal development. The role will center on establishing an experimental dual species tweezer array quantum computer in our world-class laboratory space, tackling problems that span physics, engineering and innovation. However, the role goes far beyond experimental physics. It might also involve chairing a national debate on the future of the TAQC platform. You might collaborate with an industrial partner to improve the reliability of the neutral atom platform by solving complex engineering challenges. Or you might demonstrate early quantum advantage on a commercial NISQ device.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Developing systems and subsystems for tweezer array quantum computers.
2. Proof-of-concept / engineering projects that overcome TAQC performance bottlenecks.
3. Contributing to a roadmap that can scale TAQC platforms towards quantum advantage.
4. Input into software and control architecture design, working with the NQCC software team.
5. Running events & colloquia for the UK neutral atom quantum computing community.
6. Collaboration across platforms within NQCC and with external commercial or academic partners.
7. Publishing non-confidential results.
8. Promoting best practice software development across the NQCC.
9. Play a leading role in the team, and support others to deliver team objectives.

Person Specification:

You will be able to work/travel within the UK and overseas as and when required to attend international meetings with collaborators.

1. Educated to PhD Level (or equivalent experience) in a computing/Physics or Engineering related discipline.
2. Experience of research in atomic, molecular or optical quantum technologies which may include publication(s) (e.g. quantum computing, quantum sensing, quantum imaging, quantum navigation e.t.c.).
3. Experience of experimental or theoretical methods relevant to quantum computing platforms based on neutral atoms e.g. ARTIQ, laser cooling, atom trapping, simulation, benchmarking, verification e.t.c.
4. Conceptual understanding of tweezer array quantum computing & methodologies.
5. Experience of collaborative research, especially intermural.
6. Familiarity with R&D or laboratory environments.
7. Appreciation of Health, Safety and Environment.

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits including a flexible working scheme, a Career Average Revalued Earnings pension scheme, 30 days annual leave allowance, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. Join us and discover what’s possible!

How to apply:

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.