Senior Applied Modelling Scientist, Quantum Sensing

Q-CTRL
Oxford
5 months ago
Applications closed

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Senior Scientist, Quantum Sensing (Magnetometry Modelling)

Systems Engineer - Photonics & Acoustics

Senior DevOps Engineer - UK-029

Senior Software Engineer - UK-023

Senior Developer

Senior Claims Handler

About us

Founded in 2017, Q-CTRL has grown to become the global leader in quantum. We’re using control to solve the hardest problems facing quantum technology, improving hardware performance and accelerating pathways to useful quantum computers and other technologies. As a product-led company, we bring together diverse teams such as product, design, engineering and research to help achieve our mission of making quantum technology useful. Join us to help shape the quantum future.

As one of the fastest growing companies in the quantum sector, we’ve had a number of key milestones:

- In November 2023, we announced an industry-first partnership with IBM Quantum Services, natively integrating our performance management software with all IBM quantum computers. Building off of this relationship, in September 2024 we started offering two services via IBM’s new Qiskit Functions Catalog as an inaugural partner.

- Designed and moved our Global HQ offices and lab space into the first purpose-built (and award winning) commercial and research facility for a quantum technology company in Australia.

- Continued to deliver real world outcomes across the quantum sectors, with our work with Australian Defence on software-ruggedized quantum sensing for navigation without GPS, as featured in the New York Times.

- In October 2024, we announced our record breaking expansion of our Series B funding round to USD $113M, with $59M USD of new capital.

- Grew our global presence to include Los Angeles, Berlin, and Oxford - as well as the recently announced office in San Francisco.

From educating the workforce on how quantum computing works, to building the next generation of quantum sensors, to delivering massive performance gains for end-users, it all starts with hiring the right talent. If you want to help us build the Quantum future, read on.

About the role

We are seeking a new Senior Modelling Scientist to help develop next-generation small-form-factor quantum magnetometers that are exquisitely sensitive, ultrastable, and able to operate reliably in harsh fielded environments. You will work closely with experts in quantum sensing to develop quantum magnetometry technology that will solve pressing challenges in aeronautical positioning and navigation, geophysical surveying, and magnetic anomaly detection.

A key focus of the role will be developing and implementing methods for removing magnetic and/or vibrational noise induced by the platform on which the quantum sensor is mounted. The algorithms, signal processing, automation, and data analytics you develop will inform the design, build, and operation of our quantum sensors for a given end-user application. The role will also involve developing novel software-layer control protocols and operating modes for optically-pumped atomic magnetometers that deliver step-change performance improvements in noisy operating conditions.

What you'll be doing:

  • Be part of an established and growing team focused on quantum sensing for a variety of industry sectors such as aerospace, defence, geophysical exploration and Earth observation;
  • Perform time series analysis and develop platform and environmental noise compensation techniques using state-of-the-art digital signal processing and machine learning methods;
  • Use data analytics to translate quantum sensor data streams into capabilities that solve pressing challenges for current and prospective end-users and customers;
  • Perform essential research and development into novel quantum control solutions to enhance the performance of real-world quantum magnetometers;
  • Develop novel theoretical models and numerical simulation tools suitable for assessing the performance of quantum sensors in real-world environments;
  • Work closely with other Research and Engineering teams to deploy and validate your developed algorithms and sensing solutions on real quantum sensing hardware;
  • Develop, document, and review high-quality software using Python;
  • Share your insights and results with the broader Quantum Sensing Division, company, external stakeholders and customers through verbal presentations and written outlets (e.g. academic publications, technical reports, blog posts); and
  • Liaise as needed with our academic and industry partners in order to perform the above duties and support new business and product development.
  • Other duties within the Employee's skills and experience, or with reasonable training.

Ideally you'll have:

  • A PhD (or equivalent industry experience) in physics, electronic engineering, computer science, mathematics, or a closely related discipline.
  • Experience in the theory, numerical modelling, and/or optimization of one or more of the following: optically-pumped magnetometry in warm atomic vapour cells; quantum atomic physical systems; atom interferometry; pulse-level optimisation and quantum control techniques, digital signal processing (e.g. adaptive filtering, phase-sensitive detection).
  • Experience in time and frequency digital signal processing, e.g. adaptive filtering, Kalman filtering
  • Contributing to a software system architecture with multiple components developed by different teams, adhering to best-practice software development precepts.
  • Experience communicating technical results to a wide and varied audience.
  • Experience with version control e.g. Git with CI/CD pipelines.
  • Finally, you will have a strong desire to work with a world leading team and a company that is fundamentally building the future of the quantum technology industry

It would be fantastic if you have these skills but not essential:

  • Experience in modern signal processing methods (e.g. Bayesian methods, particle filtering, sequential Monte Carlo methods);
  • Experience with modelling geometric / gaussian optics
  • Experience in sensor modelling and sensor signal processing, including data fusion
  • Familiarity with the Python programming language for scientific computing.
  • Familiarity with quantum and/or atomic physics at an undergraduate level.
  • Experience working in a multidisciplinary team of physicists, engineers, software developers

Why Q-CTRL?

Flexibility:We embrace workplace flexibility so you worry more about your impact vs a rigid work schedule.

Attractive salary:You’ll get to have the start-up impact without the start-up wages.

Equity:We want people to have a sense of ownership in what they do and offer the potential for equity share and annual bonuses.

Cash bonus: We recognize exceptional performance and impact by offering annual discretionary cash bonuses.

Resources:We are well funded by the world’s best technology investors, letting us chase our ambitions with minimal constraints.

Parental support:We offer paid parental leave to support you and your loved ones.

Diversity:We’re an equal opportunity employer and actively support initiatives like the ‘Global Women in Quantum’ program to help expand the quantum workforce.

Unique culture:You’ll be surrounded by some of the world’s leading physicists, engineers, product, marketing and design people (to name a few!) with a strong desire to learn and transfer knowledge.

Meaningful values:You’ll work with an incredibly supportive team who work consistently to deliver our core values to be real, be trusted, be just and to be revered.

Personal development:We provide you with a personal development and wellness budget.

Make a dent: Last but not least you’ll have the unique opportunity to help set the direction for this revolutionary technology and truly make an impact that matters!

Q-CTRL aims to bring together cross-functional teams from many different backgrounds to help achieve our goals - we strongly encourage you to apply even if you do not meet all of the requirements mentioned in the job posting.

Please be advised that our communications will only come from the @q-ctrl.comdomain. All our active job postings are available on ourcompany website.

To recruitment agencies, we do not accept unsolicited branded profiles and are not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.


#J-18808-Ljbffr

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

How to Write a Quantum Job Ad That Attracts the Right People

Quantum computing is no longer confined to university labs and research papers. UK companies are now actively hiring quantum software engineers, physicists, hardware specialists, cryptographers and commercial leads as the sector moves closer to real-world deployment. But while demand for quantum talent is rising, many employers are struggling to attract the right candidates. Roles attract either underqualified applicants who see “quantum” as a buzzword, or highly academic researchers who are a poor fit for commercial environments. The problem often isn’t the candidate pool — it’s the job advert. Writing a strong quantum job ad requires a very different approach to traditional tech hiring. Quantum professionals are highly specialised, sceptical of hype and acutely aware when an employer doesn’t truly understand the field. In this guide, we’ll break down how to write a quantum job ad that attracts the right people, filters out the wrong ones and positions your organisation as a serious, credible player in the quantum ecosystem.

Maths for Quantum Jobs: The Only Topics You Actually Need (& How to Learn Them) Linear algebra essentials, probability, complex numbers, basic optimisation.

If you are a software engineer, data scientist or ML engineer looking to move into quantum computing or you are a UK undergraduate or postgraduate in physics, maths, computer science or engineering applying for quantum roles, the maths can feel like the biggest barrier. Job descriptions often say “strong maths” but rarely spell out what that means in practice. The good news is you do not need a full maths degree’s worth of theory to start applying. For most graduate & early-career roles in quantum software, quantum research engineering & quantum algorithms, the maths you actually use again & again is concentrated in four areas: linear algebra, probability, complex numbers & basic optimisation. This guide turns vague requirements into a clear, job-focused checklist. You will learn what to focus on, what to leave for later & how to build small portfolio outputs that prove you can translate the maths into working code.

Neurodiversity in Quantum Computing Careers: Turning Different Thinking into a Superpower

Quantum computing is one of the most demanding – & exciting – areas in technology. It sits at the intersection of physics, mathematics, computer science, engineering & even philosophy. The problems are complex, the systems are fragile, & the answers are rarely obvious. That’s exactly why quantum needs people who think differently. If you live with ADHD, autism or dyslexia, you may have been told your brain is “too distracted”, “too literal” or “too chaotic” for high-end research or deep technical roles. In reality, many of the traits that made school or traditional workplaces difficult can be huge strengths in quantum computing – from intense focus on niche topics to pattern recognition in noisy data & creative approaches to algorithms. This guide is for neurodivergent job seekers exploring quantum computing careers in the UK. We’ll look at: What neurodiversity means in a quantum computing context How ADHD, autism & dyslexia strengths map onto common quantum roles Practical workplace adjustments you can ask for under UK law How to talk about your neurodivergence in applications & interviews By the end, you’ll have a clearer sense of where you might thrive in quantum computing – & how to turn “different thinking” into a genuine superpower.