Staff Scientist - Quantum Characterization & Benchmarking

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.  

Role Overview

Role:

We are looking for a Staff Scientist specialising in quantum characterisation and benchmarking. You will serve as the technical lead of the QCVV team, driving the development of novel characterisation and benchmarking protocols for IonQ's quantum processors. Your work will directly inform the design and optimisation of next-generation quantum error correction architectures.

In this role, you will lead cutting-edge research in QCVV, develop scalable benchmarking frameworks, and collaborate closely with experimental and QEC teams to translate theoretical insights into measurable system improvements. The ideal candidate is a world-class researcher with deep expertise in quantum benchmarking and the ability to define and drive ambitious technical programmes.

Responsibilities:

You will set the research direction for how IonQ characterises its quantum processors, building protocols that scale to many qubits and that connect what we measure to the error models our architects and QEC researchers rely on.

Alongside your own research, you will publish in top-tier venues, represent IonQ at conferences, mentor junior researchers and help shape the technical direction of the QCVV team.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead the development of novel, scalable QCVV protocols for multi-qubit quantum processors.
• Design benchmarks sensitive to specific noise types, informed by component-level characterisations and first principles.
• Develop theoretical frameworks connecting characterisation data to actionable error models, such as detector error models.
• Collaborate with the QEC and compiler teams to inform error correction code selection and decoder design.
• Publish research results in top-tier venues and represent IonQ at conferences.

Requirements:

To succeed, you will need a PhD in physics, quantum information, mathematics or a related field, and seven or more years of research experience in quantum characterisation, benchmarking or closely related fields. A strong publication record in quantum information science is expected.

You will be able to write, read and debug scientific simulations and prototypes, and bring deep expertise in benchmarking protocols such as randomised benchmarking, gate set tomography and character benchmarking.

You’d be a great fit with:

• Deep expertise in benchmarking protocols, such as randomised benchmarking, gate set tomography and character benchmarking.
• Expertise in representation theory as applied to QCVV.
• Experience with scalable benchmarking methods for many-qubit systems.
• Experience with trapped-ion or neutral-atom quantum systems.
• Familiarity with quantum error correction codes and decoder design.

The total compensation package includes base salary, bonus, equity, and a range of benefits available on our career site.

If this role has a commission structure, the compensation range below just reflects the base compensation range.

Wage Transparency:

$1—$1 USD

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 401(k), 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!