Superconducting Hardware Technology Development Manager

Superconducting Hardware Technology Development Manager

  • Salary range: Between £50,702 – £56,336
  • Based at Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire, UK
  • Location: RAL, Harwell Campus- Oxfordshire
  • Contract type: Open-ended
  • Hours: Full time (We understand the importance of work-life balance, and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants)

About Us

As part of the UK’s National Quantum Technologies Programme, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is leading a programme to establish a National Quantum Computing Centre, which 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. The Centre is a joint initiative of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).

A purpose-built National Quantum Computing Centre will be built and operated by UKRI at the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) campus in Oxfordshire. The Centre will be open and operational by December 2022. Until then, the NQCC’s activities are taking place in other facilities on the Harwell Campus or at partnering institutions. The NQCC will sit alongside other departments within the STFC National Laboratories and will be part of the broader National Quantum Technologies Programme (NQTP).

The primary purpose of the NQCC is to fill a key gap in the research and innovation landscape addressing the challenge of scaling quantum computing. However, this technology is immature and extensive development work is needed to scale the fundamental science to provide usable computing systems.

The NQCC’s initial 5 years will focus on developing a Noisy Intermediate Scale Quantum (NISQ) machine to demonstrate the technology as well as software, algorithm and applications development. The longer-term aim is to scale the technology towards an error and noise-free fault-tolerant machine capability with benchmarking and verification demonstrated in collaboration with the UK and international partners. The NQCC will give assured and direct access to early prototype machines to developers and promote the formation of a strong UK-based quantum computing supply chain.

Our Benefits

UK Research and Innovation recognises and values employees as individuals and aim to provide a pay and rewards package that motivates staff to perform to the best of their ability. The reward package includes a flexible working scheme, a defined benefit pension scheme (employer contribution – currently up to 26%), 30 days annual leave allowance plus 10.5 bank holiday/privilege days and several other benefits.

About the Role

You will work alongside the Operations and Research Directors to lead a variety of challenging science and engineering projects, utilizing and enhancing your skills in qubit hardware and systems architecture, design and implementation, to develop scalable, flexible and robust quantum computing assets that can be deployed to meet the goals of the NQCC enabling the delivery of scalable quantum computing capabilities against the technology roadmap.

Key projects will include hardware stabilization, high-performance logical qubit development, scalable qubit architecture design, error mitigation and benchmarking and verification protocols.

Your responsibilities include:

  • Defining high performance physical and logical superconducting qubit design and architectures
  • Developing scaling strategies and designs
  • Understanding materials performance and device characteristics to drive improved long-term qubit performance
  • Input into software and control architecture to enable a variety of hardware platforms and applications to be developed
  • Working closely with colleagues across the Centre to implement the architecture and deploy services
  • Defining work plans for specific NQCC projects
  • Making site visits to commercial and academic partners
  • Publishing non-confidential results
  • Mentoring members of the Technology team to promote best practice software development across the NQCC
  • Line management of a team – as part of UKRI, we have multiple tools and resources available to assist any new or inexperienced line manager and would welcome applications from previous or new people managers.

Shortlisting and Interview Criteria

We offer significant development opportunities at the NQCC, but as a starting point you should be able to demonstrate some of the following; (Please note the below criteria will be assessed at Shortlisting or Interview stage as indicated)

Qualifications

Essential-

  • Educated to PhD or equivalent in a relevant subject such as Physics, Computer Science or Engineering, or equivalent experience (S)

Experience/Attributes

Essential-

  • Candidates should have significant knowledge of superconducting qubit device and control architectures and a high level of technical expertise in quantum computing (S&I)
  • Demonstrable experience in several of the following: Superconducting device development, RF electronics and RF electronic circuit design, RF control, Qubit design and development, Superconducting device scaling, Cryo-electronics, Cryogenic systems, Device benchmarking and verification (S&I)
  • You would need to be available to occasionally travel/work within the UK and overseas when required (I)
  • Understanding of high-performance computing and/or relevant related technologies (S&I).

Desirable-

  • Familiar with a range of professional tools and methods related to programme delivery (S&I)
  • Experience in development and test of superconducting qubit devices (S)
  • Knowledge of scaling, control and quantum computing hardware methodologies (S&I)
  • Experience in project delivery within an ISO9001 quality management system (S)
  • Experience using and developing Product Lifecycle Management systems (S&I)
  • Appreciation of Risk Analysis (S)
  • Appreciation of Health, Safety and Environment (S)
  • Familiarity with UKRI policies and procedures (S&I).

How to apply 

Click here to apply on our recruitment page.

Online applications are 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 file name 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.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.

About STFC 

The STFC is a world-leading multi-disciplinary science organisation where curiosity, blue-skies thinking meets practical, application-led science and engineering. Our goal is to deliver economic, societal, scientific and international benefits to the UK and its people – and more broadly to the world.

As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, we’re trusted to support, enable and undertake ground-breaking projects in an outstanding diversity of fields. Through world-class facilities and people, we’re driving progressive advances in science, engineering, computing and technology. Our research seeks to understand the Universe from the largest astronomical scales to the tiniest constituents of matter, yet creates an impact on a very tangible, human scale.
For more information about STFC please visit https://stfc.ukri.org/
You can also visit our careers site https://www.stfccareers.co.uk/

About UKRI 

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

More information can be found at www.ukri.org.

How we support EDI in the workforce 

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community.

For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Additional Information