Head of Quantum Applications — New Mexico

<p><strong>Summary</strong></p> <p>QuEra Computing is seeking an accomplished quantum scientist and research leader to serve as <span class="notion-enable-hover" data-token-index="1">Head of Quantum Applications </span>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<span class="discussion-id-37bf86ee-ff3c-8010-b019-001c486660bd notion-enable-hover" data-token-index="3"> government labs</span> and beyond, building on the exceptional concentration of quantum expertise in New Mexico.</p> <p><strong>Responsibilities<br></strong></p> <p><strong>Build and lead the New Mexico quantum applications research group</strong></p> <ul> <li>Hire, mentor, and build a team of quantum scientists in the New Mexico area.</li> <li>Set the research agenda for the site and ensure alignment with QuEra's broader applications roadmap.</li> <li>Serve as the primary scientific applications and algorithms leadership presence for QuEra in the region.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Drive a high-impact quantum applications research program</strong></p> <ul> <li>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.</li> <li>Translate scientific research into concrete demonstrations on QuEra's neutral-atom hardware, working closely with hardware teams.</li> <li>Collaborate with QuEra's central applications team to identify and develop practically useful quantum applications grounded in real customer and government use cases.</li> <li>Publish high-quality research works and contribute to the scientific community through conference presentations, workshops, and open-source tooling.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Build and leverage the New Mexico national laboratory ecosystem</strong></p> <ul> <li>Deepen strategic research collaborations with LANL and SNL, leveraging proximity and existing community ties.</li> <li>Represent QuEra in regional scientific forums, workshops, and joint programs with national labs and New Mexico universities.</li> <li>Help position QuEra as the preferred quantum computing partner for national security and DOE mission-driven science in the region.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Lead government program engagement and funding acquisition</strong></p> <ul> <li>Serve as PI or co-PI on federally funded research programs (DOE, DARPA, IARPA, NSF, or equivalent).</li> <li>Develop compelling technical proposals that communicate QuEra's quantum computing capabilities to federal program managers.</li> <li>Contribute to QuEra's strategic positioning in government programs</li> </ul> <p><strong>Advance benchmarking and performance analysis</strong></p> <ul> <li>Contribute to rigorous application-level benchmarking of QuEra's systems, bridging the gap between hardware performance and algorithmically meaningful metrics.</li> <li>Engage with quantum error correction (QEC) researchers to understand how near-term and fault-tolerant QEC protocols impact application performance on neutral-atom hardware.</li> </ul> <p><strong><span class="notion-enable-hover" data-token-index="0">Qualifications</span></strong></p> <p> </p> <ul> <li>PhD in Physics, Quantum Information Science, or a closely related field.</li> <li>10+ years of experience in quantum computing and/or computational quantum physics, spanning both research and applied contexts.</li> <li>Demonstrated track record as a research group leader. Experience managing and mentoring teams of scientists.</li> <li>Established record as a PI or co-PI on competitively funded federal research programs (DOE, DARPA, IARPA, NSF, or equivalent).</li> <li>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.</li> <li>Experience mapping quantum algorithms to hardware constraints and working closely with experimental teams.</li> <li>Strong publication record and recognition in the quantum computing community.</li> <li>Excellent communication skills; comfortable engaging with technical audiences, program managers, and executive leadership.</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><strong>Preferred Qualifications</strong></p> <p> </p> <ul> <li>Existing relationships with LANL, SNL, or other New Mexico research institutions.</li> <li>Experience with neutral-atom, trapped-ion, or other programmable quantum computing platforms.</li> <li>Background in quantum error correction. Understanding how QEC protocols and architecture choices interact with application-level performance.</li> <li>Experience with application-level b