Senior Scientist, Quantum Sensing

About usFounded in 2017, Q-CTRL has grown to become the global leader in quantum.  We’re using control to solve the hardest problems facing quantum technology, improving hardware performance and accelerating pathways to useful quantum computers and other technologies. As a product-led company, we bring together diverse teams such as product, design, engineering and research to help achieve our mission of making quantum technology useful.  Join us to help shape the quantum future.
As one of the fastest growing companies in the quantum sector, we’ve had a number of key milestones:
- In November 2023, we announced an industry-first partnership with IBM Quantum Services, natively integrating our performance management software with all IBM quantum computers.  Building off of this relationship, in September 2024 we started offering two services via IBM’s new Qiskit Functions Catalog as an inaugural partner.- Designed and moved our Global HQ offices and lab space into the first purpose-built (and award winning) commercial and research facility for a quantum technology company in Australia.- Continued to deliver real world outcomes across the quantum sectors, with our work with Australian Defence on software-ruggedized quantum sensing for navigation without GPS, as featured in the New York Times.- In October 2024, we announced our record breaking expansion of our Series B funding round to USD $113M, with $59M USD of new capital.- Grew our global presence to include Los Angeles, Berlin, and Oxford - as well as the recently announced office in San Francisco.
From educating the workforce on how quantum computing works, to building the next generation of quantum sensors, to delivering massive performance gains for end-users, it all starts with hiring the right talent. If you want to help us build the Quantum future, read on.
About the roleWe are seeking a Senior Scientist with expertise in quantum magnetometry modelling to help develop next-generation small-form-factor quantum magnetometers that are exquisitely sensitive, ultrastable, and able to operate reliably in harsh fielded environments. You will work closely with experts in quantum sensing to develop quantum magnetometry technology that will solve pressing challenges in aeronautical positioning and navigation, geophysical surveying, and magnetic anomaly detection. A key focus of the role will be to develop novel software-layer control protocols and operating modes for optically-pumped atomic magnetometers that deliver step-change performance improvements in noisy operating conditions.

What you'll be doing:

• Be part of an established and growing team focused on quantum sensing for a variety of industry sectors such as aerospace, defence, geophysical exploration and Earth observation.
• Perform essential research and development into novel quantum control solutions to enhance the performance of real-world quantum magnetometers.
• Develop novel theoretical models and numerical simulation tools suitable for assessing the performance of quantum sensors in real-world environments.
• Design and apply novel digital signal processing algorithms to enhance sensor robustness to noise.
• Analyse sensor performance in realistic environments and apply optimization and machine learning techniques for performance enhancement.
• Work closely with our modelling scientists, experimental physicists, and sensor hardware specialists to deploy your developed quantum control protocols on real quantum sensor hardware.
• Develop, document, and review high-quality software using Python;
• Share your insights and results with the broader Quantum Sensing Division, company, external stakeholders and customers through verbal presentations and written outlets (e.g. academic publications, technical reports, blog posts); and
• Liaise as needed with our academic and industry partners in order to perform the above duties and support new business and product development.

Ideally you'll have:

• A PhD in Physics, Electronic Engineering, Mathematics or a closely related discipline.
• Experience in the theory, numerical modelling, and/or optimization of one or more of the following: optically-pumped magnetometry in warm atomic vapour cells; quantum atomic physical systems; atom interferometry; pulse-level optimisation and quantum control techniques, digital signal processing (e.g. adaptive filtering, phase-sensitive detection).
• Ability to clearly communicate complex scientific ideas to a multidisciplinary team.
• Finally, you will have a strong desire to work with a world leading team and a company that is fundamentally building the future of the quantum technology industry.

It would be fantastic if you have these skills but not essential:

• Familiarity with the Python programming language for scientific computing.
• Experience modelling real experiments/hardware and working closely with experimental teams.
• Experience working in a multidisciplinary team of physicists, engineers, software developers.
• Experience with version control e.g. Git.

Why Q-CTRL?
Flexibility: We embrace workplace flexibility so you worry more about your impact vs a rigid work schedule.Attractive salary: You’ll get to have the start-up impact without the start-up wages.Equity: We want people to have a sense of ownership in what they do and offer the potential for equity share and annual bonuses.Cash bonus: We recognize exceptional performance and impact by offering annual discretionary cash bonuses. Resources: We are well funded by the world’s best technology investors, letting us chase our ambitions with minimal constraints.Parental support: We offer paid parental leave to support you and your loved ones.Diversity:  We’re an equal opportunity employer and actively support initiatives like the ‘Global Women in Quantum’ program to help expand the quantum workforce. Unique culture: You’ll be surrounded by some of the world’s leading physicists, engineers, product, marketing and design people (to name a few!) with a strong desire to learn and transfer knowledge.Meaningful values: You’ll work with an incredibly supportive team who work consistently to deliver our core values to be real, be trusted, be just and to be revered. Personal development: We provide you with a personal development and wellness budget. Make a dent: Last but not least you’ll have the unique opportunity to help set the direction for this revolutionary technology and truly make an impact that matters!
Q-CTRL aims to bring together cross-functional teams from many different backgrounds to help achieve our goals - we  strongly encourage you to apply even if you do not meet all of the requirements mentioned in the job posting.
Please be advised that our communications will only come from the @q-ctrl.com domain. All our active job postings are available on our company website.
To recruitment agencies, we do not accept unsolicited branded profiles and are not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.