- Job Title: Applications Engineer
- Location: Harwell Campus- Oxfordshire, UK
- Contract: Open-ended, up to 3 positions available
- Salary: £31,931 – £34,709 (Band D) or £39,748-£44,166 (Band E) gross per annum dependent on experience. RRA & Specialist Allowances are available*
- Reports To: Deputy Director for Innovation
- Hours: Part-Time/Full Time (We understand the importance of work-life balance, and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants)
- Closing date: Feb. 20, 2022
*Specialist Allowances, which are a form of additional pay independent of salary, may be applicable for this role for suitably qualified candidates.
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.
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, Defined benefit pension scheme (employer contribution – currently up to 26%), 30 days annual leave allowance plus 10.5 bank holiday/privilege days and a number of other benefits.
What’s the purpose of this role?
You will work as part of an Applications Team within the Innovation function, alongside hardware and software developers in the Technology Team. Utilizing your skills in end user applications and algorithms, you will develop solutions in response to real use cases which meet NQCC’s goals of delivering scalable quantum computing capabilities in support of our technology roadmap and building a quantum ready UK economy.
Key projects will include quantum readiness for critical industry verticals such as Financial Services, Pharmaceuticals, Advanced Materials, Energy, Healthcare, Security and Bio-Chemistry.
The successful candidate must exhibit a pragmatic demeanor towards the work of others, particularly in a collaborative environment, whilst having a good eye for detail interpreting and presenting technical performance data. We are particularly encouraging of applicants who have experience in the development and implementation of quantum algorithms. Project support is provided via Quality Assurance, Monitoring & Evaluation, Procurement and Project Leader support staff within the Operations team, as well as quantum information processing specialists across the technology team and external expertise.
Not only is this an exciting role at the forefront of science and technology, but you will also gain excellent experience of large-scale systems integration across a variety of collaborations in the quantum computing eco-system.
What will I be doing?
- Developing scalable, end-user applications for quantum computing (NISQ-era and error corrected)
- Working closely with colleagues and external stakeholders, identifying and implementing appropriate quantum algorithms in response to meaningful use cases
- Developing end-user relationships across industry verticals
- Acting as an advocate for quantum computing as an important emerging technology for the UK
- Working closely with colleagues across the Centre to implement the architecture and deploy services
- Identifying appropriate HPC, data analytics and other relevant computing technologies and crafting appropriate technology solutions
- Making site visits to commercial and academic partners
- Publishing non-confidential results
- Promoting standard methodology software development across the NQCC
- Attend international meetings with collaborators
- Carry out quality checks and inspections on-site and at supplier premises
- Present work at internal and external meetings both within the UK and internationally
- Working within the Divisions ISO9001 Quality Management System
- Driving Continuous Improvement within the Centre
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:
(Please note the below criteria will be assessed at Shortlisting or Interview stage as indicated)
Your responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Developing end-user NISQ-era and Error Corrected scalable applications
- Developing end-user relationships across industry verticals
- Acting as an advocate for quantum computing as an important emerging technology for the UK
- Working closely with colleagues across the Centre to implement the architecture and deploy services
- Identifying appropriate HPC, data analytics, and cognitive computing technologies and crafting appropriate technology solutions
- Making site visits to commercial and academic partners
- Publishing non-confidential results
- Promoting standard methodology software development across the NQCC.
- Attend international meetings with collaborators
- Carry out quality checks and inspections on-site and at supplier premises
- Present work at internal and external meetings both within the UK and internationally
- Working within the Divisions ISO9001 Quality Management System
- Driving Continuous Improvement within the Centre.
Experience/Attributes:
Essential:
- Educated to Degree level or equivalent relevant experience in a computing-related field, including physics, maths and computer science (S)
- You will have demonstrable experience in several of the following (evidence of at least 3 areas expected for Band E): (S&I)
- Quantum computing device development
- Quantum computing stack architecture development
- Quantum algorithm development
- Quantum computing use case and applications development
- Classical computing applications development
- Industrial client engagement
- Software lifecycle management
- Classical programming tools & languages (such as Python, C++ or a similar language)
- Quantum programming tools & languages
- Web application/web service development
- Machine learning
- Familiar with a range of professional tools and methods related to end-user large scale computation (S&I)
- Significant knowledge of the implementation of high performance or quantum computing (S&I)
- Good communication skills and the ability to influence internal staff and end-users (S&I)
- Computer literate with skills and experience in the use of MS Office will be required (S)
- The post holder needs to be a proactive, self-motivated person, able to work in a dynamic environment (S&I)
- Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team, but also demonstrate autonomy within their area of responsibility (S&I)
Desirable:
- Demonstrable experience and significant knowledge in one or both of the following: (S&I)
- Programming emulated and real quantum processors
- End-to-end development, test and deployment of quantum computing devices
- Significant experience using and developing product or software lifecycle management systems (S&I)
- Significant experience of industry-focused end-user engagement or experience in a client-facing role (S&I)
- Experience in project delivery within an ISO9001 quality management system (I)
- Appreciation of health, safety and environment (I)
- Availability to travel/work within the UK and overseas, when required (I)
How to apply
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 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.
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.