Head of Quantum Applications

Summary

QuEra Computing is seeking an accomplished quantum scientist and research leader to serve as Head of Quantum Applications at our newly established New Mexico office. In this role, you will build and lead a local research group, define and execute a high-impact quantum applications research agenda, and serve as QuEra's scientific quantum computing theory anchor in the region. Working across quantum algorithms, quantum simulation, and neutral-atom hardware, you will drive the development of practically useful quantum applications, supporting QuEra’s path towards fault-tolerant quantum computation, and translate cutting-edge research into outcomes that matter for science, industry, and government. A central part of this role is cultivating deep partnerships with research groups in government labs and beyond, building on the exceptional concentration of quantum expertise in New Mexico.

Responsibilities

Build and lead the New Mexico quantum applications research group

• Hire, mentor, and build a team of quantum scientists in the New Mexico area.
• Set the research agenda for the site and ensure alignment with QuEra's broader applications roadmap.
• Serve as the primary scientific applications and algorithms leadership presence for QuEra in the region.

Drive a high-impact quantum applications research program

• Develop and execute a research program spanning quantum simulation of strongly correlated systems, quantum machine learning, and cryptanalysis, targeting the path towards fault-tolerant quantum computation.
• Translate scientific research into concrete demonstrations on QuEra's neutral-atom hardware, working closely with hardware teams.
• Collaborate with QuEra's central applications team to identify and develop practically useful quantum applications grounded in real customer and government use cases.
• Publish high-quality research works and contribute to the scientific community through conference presentations, workshops, and open-source tooling.

Build and leverage the New Mexico national laboratory ecosystem

• Deepen strategic research collaborations with LANL and SNL, leveraging proximity and existing community ties.
• Represent QuEra in regional scientific forums, workshops, and joint programs with national labs and New Mexico universities.
• Help position QuEra as the preferred quantum computing partner for national security and DOE mission-driven science in the region.

Lead government program engagement and funding acquisition

• Serve as PI or co-PI on federally funded research programs (DOE, DARPA, IARPA, NSF, or equivalent).
• Develop compelling technical proposals that communicate QuEra's quantum computing capabilities to federal program managers.
• Contribute to QuEra's strategic positioning in government programs

Advance benchmarking and performance analysis

• Contribute to rigorous application-level benchmarking of QuEra's systems, bridging the gap between hardware performance and algorithmically meaningful metrics.
• Engage with quantum error correction (QEC) researchers to understand how near-term and fault-tolerant QEC protocols impact application performance on neutral-atom hardware.

Qualifications

• PhD in Physics, Quantum Information Science, or a closely related field.
• 10+ years of experience in quantum computing and/or computational quantum physics, spanning both research and applied contexts.
• Demonstrated track record as a research group leader. Experience managing and mentoring teams of scientists.
• Established record as a PI or co-PI on competitively funded federal research programs (DOE, DARPA, IARPA, NSF, or equivalent).
• Deep expertise in quantum algorithms and applications, with particular strength in at least one of: quantum simulation of many-body systems, quantum machine learning, or fault-tolerant quantum computation.
• Experience mapping quantum algorithms to hardware constraints and working closely with experimental teams.
• Strong publication record and recognition in the quantum computing community.
• Excellent communication skills; comfortable engaging with technical audiences, program managers, and executive leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

• Existing relationships with LANL, SNL, or other New Mexico research institutions.
• Experience with neutral-atom, trapped-ion, or other programmable quantum computing platforms.
• Background in quantum error correction. Understanding how QEC protocols and architecture choices interact with application-level performance.
• Experience with application-level benchmarking and performance modeling, including mapping hardware error models to end-to-end algorithmic performance.
• Contributions to quantum software ecosystems, open-source tooling, or developer-facing educational content.
• Track record of large-scale collaborative research across institutional boundaries.

We consistently monitor external market data and update base salary ranges accordingly.  We determine base compensation decisions on several factors, including as geographic placement, role-specific knowledge, skills, and/or experience.  In addition to our base salary offerings, we also provide equity grants for all new hires.

QuEra is committed to cultivating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We highly value diversity in our current and future employees and do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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