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Staff Scientist – Quantum Applications

College Park, Maryland, United States

About IonQ: 

IonQ, Inc. [NYSE: IONQ] is the world’s leading quantum company delivering solutions to solve the world’s most complex problems. IonQ’s newest generation quantum computers, IonQ Tempo and IonQ Forte Enterprise, are the latest in cutting-edge systems that have been helping customers and partners such as Amazon Web Services, AstraZeneca, and NVIDIA achieve 20x performance results. The company achieved 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity, setting a world record in quantum computing performance in 2025.

The company is accelerating its technology roadmap and intends to deliver the world’s most powerful quantum computers with 2 million qubits by 2030 to accelerate innovation in drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, logistics, cybersecurity, and defense. IonQ’s advancements in quantum networking position the company as a leader in building the quantum internet.

 

Location: This role is based onsite at our headquarters in College Park, MD.
Travel: 10% domestic and international
Job ID: 1490 

The Role: 

We are looking for a Staff Scientist – Quantum Applications to lead the technical development in utilizing IonQ’s quantum computers to create highly differentiated quantum solutions that will bring value to society. As a Staff Scientist – Quantum Applications, you will be part of the new Quantum Applications team based in College Park, Maryland , you will be a key link to the University of Maryland ecosystem, serving as a bridge to collaborate with world-class faculty and researchers both at UMD and at institutions globally.

You will operate at the intersection of two frontiers: pushing the boundaries of cutting-edge academic research on latest quantum hardwares and developing the next generation of quantum algorithms poised to solve real-world problems better than state-of-the-art classical methods. You will play a key role in developing core IP, computational resource models, long-term roadmaps and end-to-end workflows that have the potential to disrupt the field of computing. You will also work closely with product, engineering, marketing, sales, operations, and external customers/partners to brainstorm new ideas, propose complex, multi-year initiatives and represent IonQ at high-visibility technical conferences (often all in a single day)!

Responsibilities:

  • Practical Algorithm Innovation: Lead the hands-on development of Fault-Tolerant Application-Scale Quantum (FASQ) algorithms designed to scale for real-world impact. You will emphasize "hardware-aware" FASQ, ensuring research is rooted in the constraints of practical early fault-tolerant systems to drive scientific and commercial breakthroughs.
  • Full-Stack & Hardware-Centric Optimization: Work directly with quantum compiler, cloud, and hardware engineering teams to build highly optimized hybrid workflows specifically tuned for IonQ’s trapped-ion architecture. Your goal is to make the best use of available quantum hardware for proof-of-principle demonstrations and experiments, moving beyond abstract error correction theory.
  • Rigorous Algorithm Analysis: Conduct deep technical evaluations comparing quantum algorithms of interest against relevant state-of-the-art classical algorithms. You will identify the specific performance characteristics and scaling behaviors that define the boundary between classical and quantum capabilities.
  • Academic Strategy & Advocacy: Act as a primary advocate for IonQ’s academic presence by actively engaging with the UMD faculties. You will guide, propose, and initiate impactful academic research projects that carry significant industrial weight and commercial potential.
  • IP & External Influence: Build a robust portfolio of foundational IP and high-impact-factor, peer-reviewed publications. You will represent IonQ’s technical vision at major conferences and in high-level discussions with external stakeholders, emphasizing our path to practical, application-scale quantum advantage.

Requirements:

  • Advanced Academic & Professional Background: Doctorate degree in Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Chemistry, or another STEM domain, or equivalent work experience plus 3+ years of professional work experience in the quantum computing field.
  • FASQ & Hardware Expertise: Demonstrated expertise in Fault-Tolerant Application-Scale Quantum (FASQ) algorithms designed for scalability and practical implementation. You possess a deep familiarity with the operation and physical principles of trapped-ion quantum computers.
  • Error Mitigation & Compilation: Proficient in common error mitigation techniques and advanced quantum compilation strategies specifically tuned for hardware-level performance.
  • Proven Research Track Record: Hands-on experience developing novel algorithms for research, supported by a strong portfolio of peer-reviewed publications and contributions to production-grade codebases.
  • Multilevel Communication: The ability to translate complex technical concepts across all levels, from the academic research community to business stakeholders and PhD-level peers.
  • Technical Stack & Workflow Proficiency: Demonstrated proficiency in Python, Qiskit (or similar quantum SDKs), and High-Performance Computing (HPC) tools—including parallel computing and utilizing computer clusters. You are also proficient in the responsible use of AI tools to accelerate development, documentation, and research while maintaining strict technical accuracy and security standards.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Extended Professional Leadership: 5+ years of professional work experience developing end-to-end solutions for realistic industry problems.
  • Proven Practical Impact: Demonstrated experience with applying commercial tools to solve problem sets of practical relevance.
  • FASQ Community Recognition: Active participant and recognized contributor in the Fault-Tolerant Application-Scale Quantum (FASQ) algorithm community, including the development of foundational tools such as libraries, simulators, or compilers.
  • High-Value Intellectual Property: An active portfolio consisting of invited talks, software repositories, licenses, and/or patents that demonstrate a respected "voice" in the global quantum ecosystem.
  • Collaborative Solution Delivery: Success working directly with internal and external partners to define and deliver technical solutions.
  • Advanced Communication: Excellent collaboration and communication skills, with a proven ability to bridge the gap between deep academic research and commercial industrial impact.

The approximate base salary range for this position is $167,808 - $219,704. The total compensation package includes base, bonus, equity, and a range of benefit options found on our career site.

Compensation will vary based on individual factors such as education, qualifications, and experience of the final candidate(s), specific office location, and calibration against relevant market data and internal team equity.  Posted base salary figures are subject to change as new market data becomes available. Our benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, matching 401K, unlimited PTO and paid holidays, parental/adoption leave, legal insurance, and a home technology stipend.  Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided when a candidate receives an offer of employment. 


IonQ's HQ is located in College Park, Maryland, just outside of Washington DC. We are actively building out our recently opened manufacturing and production facility in Bothell, WA (near Seattle). Depending on the position, you may be required to be near one of our offices in College Park, Seattle, Toronto, Canada, and Basel, Switzerland. However, IonQ will expand into additional domestic and international geographies, so don’t let this stop you from applying!
 
At IonQ, we believe in fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all while striving to identify and eliminate barriers. We empower employees to thrive by fostering a culture of autonomy, productivity, and respect. We are dedicated to creating an environment where individuals can feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued.
 
We are committed to equity and justice. We welcome different voices and viewpoints and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ancestry, physical and/or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

US Technical Jobs. The position you are applying for will require access to technology that is subject to U.S. export control and government contract restrictions.  Employment with IonQ is contingent on either verifying “U.S. Person” (e.g., U.S. citizen, U.S. national, U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum) status for export controls and government contracts work, obtaining any necessary license, and/or confirming the availability of a license exception under U.S. export controls.  Please note that in the absence of confirming you are a U.S. Person for export control and government contracts work purposes, IonQ may choose not to apply for a license or decline to use a license exception (if available) for you to access export-controlled technology that may require authorization, and similarly, you may not qualify for government contracts work that requires U.S. Persons, and IonQ may decline to proceed with your application on those bases alone.  Accordingly, we will have some additional questions regarding your immigration status that will be used for export control and compliance purposes, and the answers will be reviewed by compliance personnel to ensure compliance with federal law.  

US Non-Technical Jobs. Due to applicable export control laws and regulations, candidates must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum. Accordingly, we will have some additional questions regarding your immigration status that will be used for export control and compliance purposes, and the answers will be reviewed by compliance personnel to ensure compliance with federal law.

If you are interested in being a part of our team and mission, we encourage you to apply!


 

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