- Job title: Superconducting Hardware Manager
- Location: Harwell Campus- Oxfordshire, UK
- Contract: Open-ended
- Salary: £50,702 – £56,336 (UKRI Band F) gross per annum dependent on experience. RRA & Specialist Allowances are available*
- Reports to: Deputy Director for Research
- Hours: Full time (We understand the importance of work-life balance, and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants)
- Closing date: April 10, 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 driving 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 a number of other benefits.
What’s the purpose of this role?
You will work within the Superconducting Hardware Technology team in close collaboration with the Software & Systems teams on a variety of challenging science and engineering projects, utilising 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.
What will I be doing?
- 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.
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)
Essential –
- Educated to PhD or equivalent in a relevant subject such as Physics, Computer Science or Engineering, or equivalent experience (S)
- 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)
- 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).
You would need to be available to occasionally travel/work within the UK and overseas when required.
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.