Staff Scientist – Quantum Applications
IonQindustry
About IonQ:
IonQ, Inc. [NYSE: IONQ] is the world’s leading quantum platform and merchant supplier - delivering integrated quantum solutions across computing, networking, sensing, and security. IonQ’s newest generation of quantum computers, the IonQ Tempo, is the latest in a line of cutting-edge systems that have been helping customers and partners including Amazon Web Services, and AstraZeneca achieve 20x performance results and accelerate innovation in drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, logistics, cybersecurity, and defense. In 2025, the company achieved 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity, setting a world record in quantum computing performance.
Headquartered in College Park, Maryland, IonQ has operations in California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Washington, Italy, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Our quantum computing services are available through all major cloud providers, while we also meet the needs of networking and sensing customers across land, sea, air, and space. IonQ is making quantum platforms more accessible and impactful than ever before.
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.
- Advanced Degree: Ph.D. in Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related field with 5+ years of professional work experience in quantum research.
- Demonstrated Expertise in Quantum Algorithms: This is the core of the role. You must have a proven track record of developing and implementing novel quantum algorithms (e.g., FASQ, FTQC, or NISQ) for real-world applications.
- Strong Research Portfolio: A history of high-impact research, supported by a strong portfolio of peer-reviewed publications or significant contributions to production-grade quantum codebases.
- Technical Stack Proficiency: Mastery of Python and Qiskit (or similar quantum SDKs), along with experience in High-Performance Computing (HPC) environments.
- Hardware Awareness: While we don't expect you to build the hardware, a deep familiarity with the operation and physical principles of trapped-ion quantum computers is a significant advantage.
- Hardware-Centric Optimization: Experience working directly with hardware engineering teams to tune algorithms for specific architecture constraints.
- Error Mitigation: Proficiency in hardware-level error mitigation and advanced compilation strategies.
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.
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!