Trapped Ions Hardware Development Manager

Trapped Ions Hardware Technology Development Manager

  • Salary range: Between £50,702 – £56,336
  • Based at Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire, UK

Who are we?

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.

What’s the purpose of this 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.

What will I be doing?

  • Defining high performance physical and logical trapped-ion 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.

What experience do I need?

We offer significant development opportunities at the NQCC, but as a starting point you should be able to demonstrate some of the following;

  • You should have significant knowledge of trapped ion qubit device and control architectures and a high level of technical expertise in quantum computing
  • Educated to PhD level or equivalent, ideally in a Physics, Computer Science or Engineering related discipline or significant relevant experience.
  • Demonstrable experience in several of the following: Trapped Ion device development, RF electronics and RF electronic circuit design, RF control, Laser control, Qubit design and development, Trapped Ion device scaling, Opto-electronics, Optical systems, Cryogenic systems, Device benchmarking and verification
  • Familiar with a range of professional tools and methods related to programme delivery
  • Experience in development and test of trapped ion qubit devices
  • Knowledge of scaling, control and quantum computing hardware methodologies
  • Experience in project delivery within an ISO9001 quality management system
  • Understanding of high-performance computing and/or relevant related technologies
  • Experience using and developing Product Lifecycle Management systems
  • Appreciation of Risk Analysis
  • Appreciation of Health, Safety and Environment
  • Familiarity with UKRI policies and procedures.

You would need to be available to travel/work within the UK and overseas when required.

How do I apply for this role?

Online applications only for this role. Please submit your CV and a covering letter that clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation to join STFC and the role you’re applying for. 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 your application without a covering letter may result in your application not being considered.

About UKRI

Launched in April 2018, UKRI is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). UK Research and Innovation brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England, which is responsible for supporting research and knowledge exchange at higher education institutions in England, and the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK. More information can be found at https://www.ukri.org/.

Disability Confident Employer

As a Disability Confident employer, UKRI will offer an interview to a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for the job (this is the description of the job as set by the employer). To enable us to do this we ask the appropriate questions within the candidate application.

For more information on this scheme, click here.