Job title: Cold Atoms Tweezer Array Hardware Technology Development Manager
Salary: £50,702 – £56,336 gross per annum *
Hours: Full Time- Permanent
Location: Harwell Campus, Oxford
*An additional allowance of up to £5000 may be applicable for suitably qualified candidates
Come and do the kind of engineering that made you want to be an Engineer. Stretch your technical skills while building human understanding. And, alongside world-leading scientists and technologists, shape projects that improve lives and daily life, in the UK and far beyond.
Put simply come and discover the impact you can make when you’re equipped, encouraged and inspired to perform at your very best.
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. Currently, 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 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.
The role
We are recruiting for an exciting brand-new role for an experienced Cold Atom Tweezer Array Hardware Development Manager with extensive systems engineering skills, management and team leadership experience coupled with technical expertise in a relevant aspect of quantum computing to support the delivery of the NQCC core objectives
The Cold Atom Tweezer Array Hardware Development Manager will work alongside the Programme Delivery 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 with extensive external collaborations anticipated as a key deliverable of this role.
The role will include:
• Defining high-performance physical and logical cold atom qubit design and architectures.
• Developing scaling strategies and designs.
• 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.
• Running events for the UK neutral atom quantum computing community.
• 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 managing up to 10 staff members
Person specification
(Please note the below criteria will be assessed at Shortlisting or Interview stage as indicated)
Essential Criteria
• Significant knowledge of cold atom tweezer array qubit devices and control architectures and a high level of technical expertise in quantum computing (S&I)
• Educated to PhD level or equivalent in a Physics, Computer Science or Engineering related discipline or significant relevant experience. In particular, we are looking for demonstrable experience in several of the following:
o Cold atom tweezer arrays, trapped Ion device development, RF electronics and RF electronic circuit design, RF control, Laser control, Qubit design and development, Opto-electronics, Optical systems, Cryogenic systems, Device benchmarking and verification (S&I)
• Track record of research in tweezer array quantum computing or a closely related field which may include publications (S)
• Familiar with a range of professional tools and methods related to programme delivery (S&I)
• Excellent leadership with strong team working and collaboration skills (I)
• Ability to positively influence stakeholders (S)
• Excellent decision-making ability, taking measured risks where appropriate (I)
• Experience and commitment to continuous improvement and innovation (S&I)
• Demonstrable commitment to safe working practices and the well-being of facility users and visitors (S&I)
The successful candidate would need to be available to travel/work within the UK and overseas, when required
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 several other benefits
What could you achieve with our world-leading facilities and experts of one of Europe’s largest research organisations by your side?
Join us and discover what’s possible!
About the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC)
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.
About The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, we ask the biggest questions in the universe to find answers that change the world around us. We seek understanding. We’re proud of the impact we make. And we’re committed to helping build a globally competitive, knowledge-based UK economy. Being part of all this means contributing to work that pushes boundaries and creates possibilities. You’ll work with, and learn from, true experts. Whatever your role, you’ll be free to question, and encouraged to share ideas. And, in a positive and supportive culture, you’ll discover just what a difference you can make when you’re equipped and inspired to excel.
We’re a place where curious minds thrive. Not bound by profit, we explore ideas that others don’t, ask questions that others won’t, and discover answers that others are not equipped to find. And, alongside Mars landings and black holes, we also explore diverse, international projects in everything from science and engineering to computing and technology. Whether it’s at the cutting edge or behind the scenes, our work is intellectually challenging. It’s very often ground-breaking. And it’s endlessly, irresistibly fascinating.
For more information about STFC please visit https://stfc.ukri.org/
You can also visit our careers site https://www.stfccareers.co.uk/
About UK Research Innovation (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.
Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and a salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit the benefits of working for UKRI.
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, perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request an accommodation.
How to apply
Online applications are only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and cover 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 cover letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted cover letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.
Additional Information
- Organisation: Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) – National Quantum Computing Centre
- Contract Type: Open-ended
- External Closing Date: Sep 3, 2023
- Minimum Salary: Pound Sterling (GBP) 50,702
- Hours: Full-time