Quantum Applications Engineer

Contract Type: Up to 3x Permanent Positions

Hours: Full-Time or Part Time (minimum 0.6FTE). (We understand the importance of work-life balance, and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants)

Location: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX

Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers and business support team explore the unknown and turn what they find into work that changes the world around us. Whether it’s sending probes into space or finding new ways to treat cancer, everyone here plays a vital role in making a positive difference to society.

Come and discover how much you can achieve when you’re surrounded by world-leading experts, encouraged to constantly learn and empowered to explore your curiosity!

About NQCC:

The National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) is the UK’s national laboratory dedicated to accelerating the development and adoption of quantum computing. 

Headquartered at the Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire, the NQCC works across government, industry, and academia to address the engineering challenges of scaling quantum computers and to build a quantum-ready economy. Its mission is to enable the UK to solve complex societal and industrial challenges by harnessing the transformative potential of quantum computing.

The NQCC is a joint initiative of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). It sits alongside other departments within the STFC National Laboratories and has a 10-year funding commitment as part of the National Quantum Strategy.

About the Role:

As a Quantum Applications Engineer within the National Quantum Computing Centre’s Quantum Applications Team (QAT), you will develop innovative quantum computing solutions to real-world problems, translating emerging quantum computing technologies into practical applications across a range of sectors. Working at the intersection of enabling elements such as quantum algorithms, benchmarking, error correction and software tools, you will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of scientists, engineers, and developers, with access to cutting-edge quantum computing platforms and testbeds.

Your work will contribute to the NQCC’s mission to accelerate the UK’s quantum readiness and unlock the potential of quantum computing. Through the development, evaluation, and demonstration of quantum-enabled solutions, you will help shape and influence the future adoption of quantum computing, advancing both the state-of-the-art and the UK’s broader quantum ambitions.

The role also offers significant opportunities to work within a rich and diverse ecosystem, spanning partners across government, industry, and academia. Through collaborative R&D activities and proof-of-concept projects, you will help organisations explore, evaluate, and demonstrate the potential of quantum computing for real-world challenges, accelerating the path from emerging research to impactful applications.

Key Responsibilities:

• Responsibilities and day-to-day activities of a successful candidate:
• Work collaboratively across the team to develop practical applications for quantum computing.
• Utilise and retailor quantum algorithms; build models and develop code; programme quantum computers using relevant Software Development Kits (SDKs) and programming environments.
• Work with colleagues and external stakeholders to identify suitable problem types and develop use-cases for quantum computing relevant to priority sectors, such as life sciences, healthcare, finance, energy and transport.
• Analyse quantum advantage for practical problems, using leading classical techniques that solve those problems as a benchmark.
• Become a skilled practitioner for agile and software engineering methodologies.
• Deliver technical work on collaborative projects with colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Report on and communicate key findings and results, including the publication of non-confidential results in peer-reviewed journals.
• Participate in meetings, conferences and workshops to disseminate results, informing and educating stakeholders about the team’s work.
• Upskill yourself and keep up with the state-of-the-art in quantum computing.
• Contribute to the delivery of the NQCC’s strategic objectives and the UK’s delivery of Quantum Mission 1.

Person Specification:

This role is suitable for motivated persons holding Masters-level qualifications or equivalent experience in quantum algorithms and applications development, physics or quantum technologies, who also have the aptitude and passion to upskill and expand their knowledge in the field. A Quantum Applications Engineer works well as part of a multidisciplinary team and showcases great aptitude in developing their technical, teamworking and communications skills. You will be proactive, self-motivated and able to work in a dynamic environment. You will be able to work/travel within the UK and overseas as and when required to attend international meetings with collaborators and/or events or conferences.

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

The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).

• Educated to (at least) degree level (such as Masters level, or equivalent industry experience) in quantum computing or a closely a related field. (S)
• Experience with programming languages, such as Python (as a minimum). (S&I)
• Understanding of quantum algorithms and/or motivation and aptitude to learn and upskill in the area of quantum algorithms. (S&I)
• Experience of using programming languages and quantum software development kits (SDKs) to execute quantum circuits. (S&I)
• Good time management skills with experience in delivering timely pieces of work (such as a master’s project). (I)
• Good communication skills, self-motivated and with the ability to present and disseminate technical work and results. (S&I)
• Good team working and collaboration skills and a positive demeanour towards working in a multidisciplinary team. (I)

Employee Benefits:

We are offering this position with a whole host of benefits including:

• 30 days holiday (in addition to 10.5 bank holidays and privilege days).
• Flexible working hours.
• An excellent defined salary pension scheme.
• Easily accessible public transport links/ free parking.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.
• Cycle to work scheme.

Link to more benefits: https://stfccareers.co.uk/rewards-and-benefits/

How to Apply:

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.

Security Vetting:

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they are appointed. The required security clearance needed is CTC. 

For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the United Kingdom for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the UK for the last 3 years as the role requires CTC clearance. However, UK residency less than the outlined periods may not bar you from gaining National Security Vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed for further advice.

For further details you may also visit the following site: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/united-kingdom-security-vetting 

Please note, if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you and any dependants travelling with you, will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager. For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs or contact Recruitment@ukri.org 

Join us and discover what's possible!

About Us

UKRI - UK Research and Innovation

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 salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit 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, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply

Online applications 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.

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.

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

As part of the pre-employment checks there is a requirement to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Screening. BPSS is a pre-condition of employment and failure to achieve it may mean that the employment offer is rescinded. UKRI reserves the right to run, or re-run, security clearance as required during the course of employment.

About the Team

The Science and Technology Facilities Council is a world-leading multi-disciplinary science organisation where curiosity-driven, blue-skies thinking meets practical, application-led science and engineering. Our goal is to deliver economic, societal, scientific and international benefits to the UK and its people – and more broadly to the world. 

One of Europe’s largest research organisations, we’re trusted to support, enable and undertake cutting-edge projects in an amazing diversity of fields. Through world-class facilities and people, we’re driving ground-breaking advances in science, engineering, computing and technology. Our research seeks to understand the Universe from the largest astronomical scales to the tiniest constituents of matter, yet creates impact on a very tangible, human scale. 

For more information about STFC please visit? https://stfc.ukri.org/  

You can also visit our careers site? https://www.stfccareers.co.uk/