Building Physicist

Contract Type: 2 x Permanent Positions
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 .
Come and do the kind of science that made you want to become a scientist. Explore the unknown and get to grips with the biggest challenges in Big Science. Put simply, discover the kind of impact you can make when you work with some of the best facilities and brightest scientists in the world.
As part of the UK’s National Quantum Technologies Programme (NQTP), UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is leading a programme to establish a National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC). This includes a commitment of £93m over 5 years, dedicated to drive development in the field of Quantum Computing and to place the UK at the forefront of the field.
Our primary purpose is to fill a key gap in the research and innovation landscape addressing the challenge of scaling quantum computing.
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.
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 role will center on designing and building cutting-edge experimental tweezer array quantum computing hardware in our world-class laboratory space, tackling problems that span physics and engineering. However, the role goes far beyond experimental physics. 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.
We are keen to support professional development and if desired, you will be supported in obtaining professional accreditation through IOP CPhys or similar professional accreditation. Additionally, there are other opportunities to develop leadership skills through participation in Hackathons, Summer-Studentships, Apprenticeships, Masters and PhD programs.
Developing and testing experimental TAQC designs and architectures in-house. Proof-of-concept / engineering projects that overcome TAQC performance bottlenecks. Analyzing and reporting on commercial TAQC performance. Input into software and control architecture design, working with the NQCC software team. Running events & colloquia for the UK neutral atom quantum computing community. Collaboration across platforms within NQCC and with external commercial or academic partners. Promoting best practice software development across the NQCC.
You will be able to work/travel within the UK and overseas as and when required to attend international meetings with collaborators.
Educated to masters-level (or equivalent professional experience) in computing, physics, engineering or a related discipline Experience of research in atomic, molecular or optical physics Experience of some experimental or theoretical methods relevant to tweezer array quantum computing e.g. laser cooling, atom trapping, applied optics, simulation e.t.c Conceptual understanding of tweezer array quantum computing Experience of collaborative research Familiar with R&D or laboratory environments 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.