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Salary: CAD 150,000 - 180,000 / annual
Xanadu is building quantum computers designed to solve real-world problems. This role is for a Quantum Scientist focused on algorithms, joining a technical research team dedicated to unlocking the impact of fault-tolerant quantum computers.
You will contribute to discovering and optimizing cutting-edge quantum algorithms, with a primary focus on quantum simulation—designing and optimizing algorithms that compute properties and dynamics of molecules and materials. This is an algorithms-first role where deep expertise in quantum algorithms is essential, complemented by working knowledge of quantum chemistry or materials science.
Key responsibilities include:
- Design and pioneer quantum algorithms for simulating molecules and materials on fault-tolerant quantum computers
- Radically improve algorithm efficiency by reducing qubit counts, non-Clifford gate complexity, and overall resource requirements
- Develop core subroutines: block encodings, qubitization, quantum phase estimation, initial-state preparation, and Hamiltonian factorizations
- Identify high-value applications in chemistry and materials science, particularly semiconductors
- Demonstrate feasibility and scalability through rigorous resource estimation
- Collaborate with industry partners on real-world chemistry and materials problems
- Work with compilation and quantum error correction experts to compile algorithms to fault-tolerant architectures
- Collaborate with PennyLane software developers on quantum simulation tools
- Author scientific papers, technical reports, and documentation
- Generate intellectual property and support patent filings
- Present research at strategic partner meetings and premier conferences
You will work in an interdisciplinary environment alongside software, hardware, and business development teams, conducting research in partnership with industry, government, and academic collaborators.
REQUIREMENTS:
Must-have:
- PhD in Physics, Computer Science, Chemistry, Mathematics, Engineering, or related quantitative discipline (or equivalent practical experience)
- Strong track record of research accomplishments in quantum algorithms, evidenced by publications, patents, or technical work
- Deep knowledge of fundamental quantum algorithm concepts: Hamiltonian simulation, Trotter product formulas, quantum signal processing, linear combination of unitaries, amplitude amplification, quantum phase estimation, quantum read-only memories
- Working knowledge of electronic structure for chemistry or materials: second quantization, basis sets and orbitals, fermion-to-qubit mappings, classical baseline methods
- Ability to reason quantitatively about quantum simulation algorithm costs—asymptotic scaling and leading constants
- Capacity to thrive in interdisciplinary teams and drive independent research
- Excellent communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences
- Strong self-management for balancing priorities and deadlines
Preferred:
- Experience with constant-factor resource estimation for fault-tolerant quantum algorithms
- Hands-on experience with classical electronic-structure or quantum-chemistry codes (PySCF, VASP, Quantum ESPRESSO, DMRG, QMC packages)
- Experience with periodic and condensed-matter systems: k-point sampling, pseudopotentials, strongly correlated models, first-quantized simulation
- Knowledge of EUV lithography or semiconductor process physics
- Experience collaborating with industry or government partners on application benchmarking
- Strong software development and scientific programming in Python with open-source contributions
- Understanding of quantum error correction and fault-tolerant architectures
- Knowledge of quantum compilation techniques
