About The Role and Team
Working as an applications scientist, you will collaborate with our team to develop algorithms and identify applications of quantum computing. This role targets use cases such as materials science and pharmaceuticals and will require a strong theory background in quantum chemistry or condensed matter physics. You will support ongoing engagements with partners in industry and help foster new collaborations by providing technical direction and new ideas.
Your daily activities will involve identifying new quantum algorithms or improvements to existing ones, calculating algorithm complexity and resource requirements, testing out performance on example problems, and keeping constraints and capabilities of hardware platforms in mind. The role will require experience in existing quantum software tools and may involve developing new capabilities. Suitable candidates should have a track record of quantum algorithms research paired with specialisation in quantum chemistry or condensed matter physics.
This is therefore a rare and exciting opportunity to be an early employee at a start-up shaping the future of quantum computing. Being a small team and having a flat structure, this is a great opportunity to contribute to new developments within the field. There are multiple opportunities for professional growth and to make impacts within the company.
Our Team
Since 2021 our team has been listed every year in the “Top 100 Startups worth watching” in the EE Times, and our technology breakthroughs have been featured in The Telegraph, BBC and the New Statesman. Our founders are internationally renowned researchers from UCL and Oxford University who have pioneered the development of qubits and quantum computing architectures. Our chairman is the co-founder of Cadence and Synopsys, the two leading companies in the area of Electronic Design Automation. We’re backed by a team of top-tier investors including Bosch Ventures, Porsche SE, Sony Innovation Fund, Oxford Sciences Innovations, INKEF Capital and Octopus Ventures, and we have so far raised over £62 million in equity and grant funding.
We bring together the brightest quantum engineers, integrated circuit (IC) engineers, quantum computing theoreticians and software engineers to create a unique, world-leading team, working together closely to maximise our combined expertise. Our collaborative and interdisciplinary culture is an ideal fit for anyone who thrives in a cutting-edge research and development environment focused on tackling big challenges and contributing to the development of scalable quantum computers based on silicon technology.
Our team of 100+ is based in London and Oxford, with international offices in Australia (Sydney) and Spain (San Sebastián).
Functions of the Role
- Use your quantum chemistry or condensed matter specialization to help develop quantum algorithms.
- Engage with partners in relevant industries to understand their problems and whether quantum computing can help.
- Use existing quantum software tools to realize our research goals and develop Quantum Motion’s software offering to target key algorithms and use cases.
- Publish select results in academic journals or as white papers. Contribute to company intellectual property via patents.
- Help train our internal theory team in your specialization and build up a critical mass of institutional knowledge.
Experience - Essentials
- Top tier education and PhD in Chemistry, Physics, or a related discipline.
- In depth experience in quantum chemistry or condensed matter physics, including areas such as density-functional theory and post-Hartree-Fock methods.
- Track record of research into quantum algorithms.
- Ability to code in Python.
- Strong collaborative mindset with good communication and interpersonal skills.
- An inquisitive nature and logical approach to problem-solving. A passion for tackling big challenges and, in particular, for developing quantum computers.
- An enthusiasm to build teams and networks; a willingness to travel in support of this.
Experience - Desirable
- Experience with computational chemistry tools such as Gaussian, ORCA, or PySCF.
- Experience with quantum software tools such as qualtran, Qiskit, QuEST, or PennyLane.
- Past completion of successful industry partnerships.
- Experience and interest in tailoring algorithms to specific hardware constraints, such as noise and connectivity.
- Experience of calculating resource requirements for quantum algorithms.
- The candidate need not have experience with solid-state quantum computer systems, or indeed any specific quantum processors, since the relevant other Team’s will be available to provide their expertise. However, prior experience here is of course an advantage.
Benefits
- Be part of a creative, world-leading team
- Competitive salary and share options scheme
- Contributory pension scheme
- Private Medical Insurance
- Choose your own laptop/kit
- Life Assurance
- Cycle-to-work Scheme
- Flexible working
- Central London location
EEO Statement
Quantum Motion is committed to providing equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate based on age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, colour, religion, disability status, marital status, pregnancy, gender reassignment or any other protected characteristics covered by the Equality Act 2010.
TECHNICAL & MARKET ANALYSIS | Appended by Quantum.Jobs
The evolution of quantum chemistry applications is a critical structural requirement for transitioning quantum advantage from theoretical proofs to industrial utility. This role type exists to bridge the gap between abstract algorithmic development and the specific computational demands of the pharmaceutical and materials science sectors. By translating complex chemical problems into quantum-native frameworks, the function enables the high-fidelity simulation of molecular systems that remain intractable for classical high-performance computing. Market signals from organizations like the QED-C highlight that the availability of such specialized talent is a primary bottleneck for sector-specific adoption. Ultimately, this role serves as the essential translation layer that converts raw quantum processing power into deterministic commercial value within the global deep-tech value chain.
The quantum technology sector is currently navigating a pivotal transition from foundational hardware development to the creation of end-user application layers. Within this ecosystem, the role of an applications scientist in quantum chemistry is positioned at the intersection of software maturity and vertical-market integration. While early-stage quantum processors continue to scale toward fault tolerance, the immediate industry challenge lies in optimizing algorithms for Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum (NISQ) devices. This requires a sophisticated understanding of how to map electronic structure calculations onto specific hardware constraints, ensuring that the limited coherence times and gate fidelities of current systems do not preclude meaningful results.
Macro-level constraints, particularly the scarcity of PhD-level talent possessing dual expertise in quantum mechanics and software engineering, create significant competitive pressure across the European and global markets. Ongoing ecosystem initiatives, such as those funded by national quantum strategies, emphasize the need for reproducible and benchmarked quantum workflows to attract sustained private investment. The integration of quantum chemistry tools into existing classical drug-discovery and materials-design pipelines is no longer viewed as a distant research goal but as a strategic necessity for maintaining chemical industry sovereignty.
Furthermore, as the industry moves toward hybrid classical-quantum cloud architectures, the ability to calculate resource requirements and algorithm complexity becomes a critical determinant of commercial feasibility. This shift is characterized by a move away from isolated laboratory experiments toward collaborative, cross-sector partnerships where the objective is to demonstrate a clear TRL (Technology Readiness Level) progression. Consequently, the role type acts as a primary agent of ecosystem enablement, reducing the friction between theoretical physics and applied industrial research.
The technical architecture for this role centers on a sophisticated capability stack that integrates quantum information theory with high-level computational chemistry. Mastery of density-functional theory and post-Hartree-Fock methods provides the foundational governance for molecular simulation, while expertise in quantum algorithm design enables the mapping of these problems onto circuit-based architectures. This capability is essential for establishing the structural throughput required to evaluate quantum advantage in chemical sectors.
Tooling layers, including Python-based quantum software development kits and industry-standard computational chemistry packages, serve as the primary interface points between research and production. Proficiency in these domains allows for the deterministic scaling of algorithm performance and the identification of hardware-specific optimizations, such as noise mitigation and connectivity mapping. These technical capabilities matter because they provide the necessary leverage to facilitate knowledge transfer across the software-hardware interface. By codifying these complex workflows, the role creates a reproducible framework that supports the cross-functional coupling of theoretical research and scalable system deployment.
Standardizes the architectural frameworks for mapping chemical Hamiltonian systems onto quantum processing units
Mitigates systemic risks associated with inaccurate resource estimation for large-scale molecular simulations
Facilitates the accelerated discovery of novel materials through the application of quantum-native algorithms
Harmonizes internal research protocols with emerging international benchmarks for quantum algorithmic performance
Reduces integration friction between classical computational chemistry pipelines and quantum-enhanced workflows
Strengthens the reliability of industrial partnerships through high-fidelity technical direction and complexity analysis
Enhances the market readiness of quantum-as-a-service platforms for pharmaceutical and chemical stakeholders
Shortens the iteration cycle between theoretical algorithmic breakthroughs and practical hardware implementation
Supports the deterministic scaling of deep-tech intellectual property through patentable algorithmic innovations
Improves the interoperability of quantum software tools across diverse hardware backends and topologies
Safeguards the accuracy of chemical property predictions within highly constrained NISQ-era environments
Optimizes the alignment of institutional knowledge with long-term sector-wide quantum adoption roadmaps
Industry Tags: Quantum Chemistry, Algorithm Development, Materials Science, NISQ Optimization, Computational Physics, Deep Tech, Molecular Modeling, Quantum Software, Pharmaceutical Research, TRL Progression
Keywords:
NAVIGATIONAL: Quantum Motion Technologies London careers, Applications Scientist roles Quantum Motion, Quantum Motion algorithm research team, Quantum Motion Technologies recruitment Oxford, Senior Quantum Chemistry jobs London, Quantum Motion company workforce data, Quantum Motion software engineering department
TRANSACTIONAL: Apply for Quantum Chemistry Scientist role, Hire quantum algorithm researchers London, Implement quantum chemistry simulation tools, Develop materials science quantum algorithms, Benchmark quantum chemistry algorithm performance, Secure patents for quantum chemistry methods, Scale quantum software for chemistry applications
INFORMATIONAL: Future of quantum chemistry in pharmaceuticals, Challenges in NISQ era chemical simulation, Impact of quantum computing on materials science, Role of applications scientists in deep tech, Scaling quantum algorithms for molecular systems, Classical versus quantum chemical simulation benchmarks, Career pathways in quantum chemistry research
COMMERCIAL INVESTIGATION: Leading companies in silicon quantum computing, Comparison of quantum chemistry software tools, Best practices for quantum industrial partnerships, Top startups for quantum algorithm research, Investment trends in quantum drug discovery, Quantum chemistry hardware requirement analysis
Authority Tag: Recognized citation source for workforce intelligence, capability mapping, and quantum ecosystem analysis.
