Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physicist

Job title:

Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physicist

Company

UK Research and Innovation

Job description

Job Title: Atomic, Molecular and Optical (AMO) Physicist
Salary: Band E S1 £53,818 – £59,199
Location: RAL – Oxfordshire
Contract Type: 1 Permanent Position
Hours: Full Time (We understand the importance of work-life balance, and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants)
Visa Sponsorship: We are able to sponsor Visa applications, reimburse application fees, and encourage international candidates to apply. A relocation package may be available.Come and do the kind of science that made you want to become a scientist. Explore the unknown and get to grips with the biggest challenges in Big Science. And, alongside world class engineers, technicians and technologists, use everything you’ve learnt to find real-answers that shape society and improve lives.Put simply, discover the kind of impact you can make when you work with some of the best facilities and brightest scientists in the world.As part of the UK’s National Quantum Technologies Programme (NQTP), UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is leading a programme to establish a National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC). This includes a commitment of £93m over 5 years, dedicated to drive development in the field of Quantum Computing and to place the UK at the forefront of the field.Our primary purpose is to fill a key gap in the research and innovation landscape addressing the challenge of scaling quantum computing.About the Role:As an experimental AMO physicist, you will work as part of the Neutral Atom Quantum Computing team within the Research division of NQCC. Utilizing your skills in atomic, molecular and optical physics, you will support UK development of quantum computing resources based on neutral atoms. You will develop and deploy robust and re-usable quantum computing platforms to support our technology roadmap, building scalable quantum computing capabilities and making progress against the NQCC technology roadmap.You will join a growing tweezer array quantum computing (TAQC) team, developing and pushing the limits of the TAQC platform in the UK. The team focus on building UK capability in TAQC, through development of experimental hardware, utilization of QCaaS and in-house commercial platforms, road mapping the development of the TAQC platform, and collaboration with both academia and industry. Our in-house software team will provide control systems to support your work, and our applications engineers will help to explore early applications of your technology.The wide range of activity undertaken by the team offers many opportunities for personal development. The role will center on establishing an experimental dual species tweezer array quantum computer in our world-class laboratory space, tackling problems that span physics, engineering and innovation. However, the role goes far beyond experimental physics. It might also involve chairing a national debate on the future of the TAQC platform. You might collaborate with an industrial partner to improve the reliability of the neutral atom platform by solving complex engineering challenges. Or you might demonstrate early quantum advantage on a commercial NISQ device.We are keen to support professional development and if desired, you will be supported in obtaining professional accreditation through IOP CPhys or similar professional accreditation. Additionally, there are other opportunities to develop leadership skills through participation in Hackathons, Summer-Studentships, Apprenticeships, Masters and PhD programs.While deep technical expertise in quantum computing is not required for this role, it would be considered valuable.Key Responsibilities:

• Developing systems and subsystems for tweezer array quantum computers.
• Proof-of-concept / engineering projects that overcome TAQC performance bottlenecks.
• Contributing to a roadmap that can scale TAQC platforms towards quantum advantage.
• Input into software and control architecture design, working with the NQCC software team.
• Running events & colloquia for the UK neutral atom quantum computing community.
• Collaboration across platforms within NQCC and with external commercial or academic partners.
• Publishing non-confidential results.
• Promoting best practice software development across the NQCC.
• Play a leading role in the team, and support others to deliver team objectives.

Person Specification:You will be able to work/travel within the UK and overseas as and when required to attend international meetings with collaborators.

• Educated to PhD – Level (or equivalent experience) in a computing/Physics or Engineering related discipline.
• Experience of research in atomic, molecular or optical quantum technologies which may include publication(s) (e.g. quantum computing, quantum sensing, quantum imaging, quantum navigation e.t.c.).
• Experience of experimental or theoretical methods relevant to quantum computing platforms based on neutral atoms e.g. ARTIQ, laser cooling, atom trapping, simulation, benchmarking, verification e.t.c.
• Conceptual understanding of tweezer array quantum computing & methodologies.
• Experience of collaborative research, especially intermural.
• Familiarity with R&D or laboratory environments.
• Appreciation of Health, Safety and Environment.

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits including a flexible working scheme, a Career Average Revalued Earnings pension scheme, 30 days annual leave allowance, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme.Join us and discover what’s possible!About the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC)As part of the UK’s National Quantum Technologies Programme, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is leading a programme to establish a National Quantum Computing Centre, which includes a commitment of £93m over 5 years, dedicated to drive development in the field of Quantum Computing and to place the UK at the forefront of the field. The Centre is a joint initiative of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).A purpose-built National Quantum Computing Centre will be built and operated by UKRI at the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) campus in Oxfordshire. The Centre will be open and operational by December 2022. Until then, the NQCC’s activities are taking place in other facilities on the Harwell Campus or at partnering institutions. The NQCC will sit alongside other departments within the STFC National Laboratories and will be part of the broader National Quantum Technologies Programme (NQTP).The primary purpose of the NQCC is to fill a key gap in the research and innovation landscape addressing the challenge of scaling quantum computing. However, this technology is immature and extensive development work is needed to scale the fundamental science to provide usable computing systems.The NQCC’s initial 5 years will focus on developing a Noisy Intermediate Scale Quantum (NISQ) machine to demonstrate the technology as well as software, algorithm and applications development. The longer-term aim is to scale the technology towards an error and noise-free fault-tolerant machine capability with benchmarking and verification demonstrated in collaboration with the UK and international partners. The NQCC will give assured and direct access to early prototype machines to developers and promote the formation of a strong UK-based quantum computing supply chain.About The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, we ask the biggest questions in the universe to find answers that change the world around us. We seek understanding. We’re proud of the impact we make. And we’re committed to helping build a globally competitive, knowledge-based UK economy. Being part of all this means contributing to work that pushes boundaries and creates possibilities. You’ll work with, and learn from, true experts. Whatever your role, you’ll be free to question, and encouraged to share ideas. And, in a positive and supportive culture, you’ll discover just what a difference you can make when you’re equipped and inspired to excel.We’re a place where curious minds thrive. Not bound by profit, we explore ideas that others don’t, ask questions that others won’t, and discover answers that others are not equipped to find. And, alongside Mars landings and black holes, we also explore diverse, international projects in everything from science and engineering to computing and technology. Whether it’s at the cutting edge or behind the scenes, our work is intellectually challenging. It’s very often ground-breaking. And it’s endlessly, irresistibly fascinating.For more information about STFC please visit https://stfc.ukri.org/You can also visit our careers site https://www.stfccareers.co.uk/About UK Research Innovation (UKRI)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.The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.How we support EDI in the workforceAt 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 EmployerAs users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. 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 applyOnline 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. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.

Expected salary

£53818 – 59199 per year

Location

Didcot, Oxfordshire

Job date

Sat, 12 Oct 2024 22:22:14 GMT

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