Who we are At neQxt, we build full-stack ion-trap quantum computers, striving for excellent performance and scalability. With decades of expertise in ion-trap technology, neQxt was spun out of Mainz University, and it is headquartered in Germany’s Frankfurt Metropolitan area. Our team of leading talent from Europe and beyond covers the entire value chain, from the basic hardware to end-user software level. Join our passionate team of ambitious scientists, engineers, technicians and quantum enthusiasts, building top-tier fault-tolerant quantum computers together! Job description You will join neQxt’s QEC team in Cologne, Germany. In this role, you are conducting research at the interface of Quantum Algorithms and Quantum Error Correction. In close collaboration with other team members, your tasks include developing resource-efficient integration of QEC methods into the compilation of quantum algorithms on encoded logical qubits to physical operations. This includes a thorough understanding of circuit-level noise and logical gadgets across the QEC pipeline, from state preparation over QEC cycles and logical gates to decoding. Responsibilities- Conduct research on quantum algorithms, with a focus on the integration of quantum error correction- Contribute to the development of models, tools, and numerical methods for the analysis of large-scale, error-corrected algorithms- Work closely with other researchers to integrate results into broader architectural and simulation frameworks- Produce high-quality research outcomes, incl. publications, software tools, and technical reports- Track and incorporate relevant advances in fault-tolerant quantum computing into ongoing work Requirements- Education: A PhD in Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science or similar is required.- Specializations: Expertise in either Fault-Tolerant Quantum Algorithms or Fault-Tolerant Quantum Error Correction, which may include logical-level circuit design, resource estimation, or gate synthesis- Experience: At least two years of experience in a relevant research project in an academic or industrial setting Nice to have- Experience in analytical and numerical methods for analyzing fault-tolerant systems at scale- Previous project experience at the interface of different layers in the QC stack- Software development for simulation and benchmarking of quantum computing architectures- Strong publication record and demonstrated ability to take technical leadership in research teams Who you are- You like the idea of working in a fast-paced field, at the forefront of technological development- Interest in working across and integrating results between different layers of the QC stack- You can manage complex and demanding technical challenges independently and are not afraid to ask for help- Curious, persistent and pragmatic, with attention to detail- You are a proactive problem-solver and are comfortable with posing new research questions- You are a clear communicator and a collaborative team player What we offerOur QEC team is situated in the midst of a thriving research community comprising excellent academic groups in Aachen, Bonn, Jülich, Düsseldorf, Cologne, as well as industrial players like Microsoft and IBM. Cologne is a one-million-people city that is famous for embracing diversity and for its vibrant international scene, which make it particularly attractive for people who don’t speak German. The QEC team is currently composed of 50% international and 50% female researchers. We value your individuality and offer a flexible environment.
- Results-oriented environment with flat hierarchies and a passionate team- Attractive salary with automatic inflation adjustment- Flexible working hours and full overtime compensation- Career development in an emerging tech field- German language courses, if needed- Company pension scheme- Choice of a flexible mobility budget or company car- Default (mandatory) German employment benefits (e.g. health / pension / unemployment insurance, paid sick leave, maternity protection, parental leave, …) How to applyPlease submit your CV, a cover letter including your preferred starting date, and any relevant publications, project details or other supporting documents via e-mail to: career@neqxt.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until positions are filled. We know that strong candidates often don’t tick every box. If the role excites you and you meet the core requirements, we’d appreciate to hear from you rather than not. Please reach out to Sascha Heußen via s.heussen@neqxt.org if you have any questions before applying.
TECHNICAL & MARKET ANALYSIS | Appended by Quantum.Jobs
Theoretical algorithm researchers specializing in error correction occupy a vital position in the fault-tolerant quantum computing transition. As hardware platforms scale toward logical qubit operation, bridging abstract algorithm compilation with physical error-correction constraints becomes essential for commercial viability. This role type mitigates significant architectural risks by optimizing logical gate synthesis, noise-aware decoding, and fault-tolerant resource overheads. Verifiable ecosystem data underscores that algorithmic refinement at the software-hardware interface directly dictates when practical advantage can be extracted from error-corrected processing architectures. Consequently, researchers working across fault-tolerant theoretical stack layers serve as foundational technical anchors, unlocking scalable performance for high-performance deep-tech applications across the broader ecosystem.
The global quantum computing landscape is rapidly advancing from noisy, intermediate-scale systems toward fault-tolerant architectures. In this transition, theoretical research on quantum algorithms and fault-tolerant error correction forms a critical core in the software and architectural stack. While physical hardware modalities continue to mature, the primary bottleneck to practical utility remains the resource overhead associated with quantum error correction cycles and logical qubit management.
Structural challenges in this sector stem from the integration complexity between high-level algorithmic abstractions and underlying physical execution layers. Algorithmic researchers addressing error correction must navigate trade-offs between circuit-level noise, fault-tolerant gadget compilation, and real-time decoding latencies. Sector-wide efforts continue to address talent and integration challenges in quantum systems as specialized expertise in fault tolerance remains exceptionally scarce worldwide.
Furthermore, national technology strategies and private capital flows prioritize scalable, fault-tolerant pathways over uncorrected architectures. Organizations like neQxt operate at the intersection of advanced hardware platforms and fault-tolerant compiler design, where theoretical insights directly accelerate the Technology Readiness Level of integrated processors. Establishing rigorous theoretical frameworks for logical operations ensures that fault-tolerant architectures achieve scalable, reliable computational execution.
The capability architecture for theoretical algorithm research requires a deep synthesis of fault-tolerant quantum computing frameworks, computational error-correction theory, and logical gate compilation methods. Expertise in logical-level circuit design, surface and color code structures, and resource estimation models is critical for determining the physical overhead needed to execute complex quantum algorithms. Researchers must command numerical simulation tools to analyze circuit-level noise propagation, syndrome extraction efficiency, and fault-tolerant gadget behavior across heterogeneous stack layers. Furthermore, establishing rigorous co-design interfaces between algorithmic software logic and physical execution characteristics enables optimal decoding pipelines and compiler optimizations. These technical capabilities collectively ensure that algorithmic design remains tightly coupled with fault-tolerant systems constraints, thereby lowering resource requirements for fault-tolerant execution. - Accelerates the transition from noisy intermediate-scale protocols to fully fault-tolerant quantum architectures
- Reduces physical qubit overhead through resource-efficient integration of fault-tolerant error correction schemes
- Mitigates system-level failure risks by modeling circuit-level noise and logical gadget fidelity
- Enhances compiler optimization efficiency for mapping logical qubit algorithms onto underlying physical hardware
- Streamlines cross-layer architectural development by connecting theoretical algorithm bounds with physical execution constraints
- Drives the standardized benchmarking of fault-tolerant computational pipelines across diverse hardware backends
- Shortens design iteration cycles for real-time decoding algorithms and error-syndrome processing frameworks
- Improves resource estimation precision for high-impact application workloads operating on encoded qubits
- Strengthens structural interoperability between theoretical algorithm research and practical system engineering teams
- De-risks long-term hardware development investments by validating error-corrected execution pathways
- Facilitates the standardization of logical gate compilation protocols within fault-tolerant software stacks
- Expands the functional boundaries of practical quantum utility through noise-resilient algorithmic frameworksIndustry Tags: Quantum Algorithms, Quantum Error Correction, Fault-Tolerant Computing, Logical Qubits, Ion-Trap Quantum Computing, Circuit Compilation, Resource Estimation, Quantum Stack Co-Design, Noise Modeling, Software Architecture
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