Principal Quantum Error Correction Theorist

IBM

IBM

Yorktown Heights, NY, USA

Posted on Apr 30, 2026
Introduction

At IBM Research, we are the innovation engine of IBM. Exploring what’s next in computing and shaping the technologies the world will rely on tomorrow. From advancing AI and hybrid cloud to pioneering practical quantum computing, we anticipate challenges and unlock new opportunities for clients, partners, and society. Working in Research means joining a team that accelerates discovery at the intersection of high-performance computing, AI, quantum, and cloud. You’ll collaborate with leading scientists, engineers, and visionaries to push boundaries and turn ideas into reality. With a culture built on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration, IBM Research offers the opportunity to grow your career while contributing to breakthroughs that transform industries and change the world.

Your role and responsibilities

As a Principal Research Scientist in Quantum Computing Technologies, you will develop and implement technology strategies with executive review and contribute to policymaking. You will generate highly novel ideas in the field of Quantum Computing and disseminate the results through publications, patent disclosures, and seminar participation. Your primary responsibilities will include: • Develop Technology Strategies: Develop and implement product, market, business, or technology strategies with executive review, contributing to policymaking and generating highly novel ideas in Quantum Computing. • Advance Quantum Computing Research: Generate highly novel ideas (theoretical or experimental) in Quantum Computing and evaluate ideas and plans to engineer them to an advanced state of feasibility. • Disseminate Research Results: Disseminate the results of research activities through publications, patent disclosures, seminar participation, internal documentation, and other means. • Represent IBM: Represent IBM at professional meetings, in professional societies, and universities, and function as an internal consultant in areas of professional expertise. • Lead Research Activities: Direct technically and/or manage activities of other research staff members and technical support within the broad mission of the group.

Required education
Doctorate Degree
Required technical and professional expertise

• Deep Expertise in Quantum Error Correction Theory: A renowned leader in the field with a strong, sustained track record of impact.
• Advanced Research Experience: Experience with generating highly novel ideas in Quantum Error Correction and evaluating ideas and plans to engineer them to an advanced state of feasibility.
• Technical Leadership: Experience in directing technically and/or managing activities of other research staff members and technical support within the broad mission of the group. Proven ability to function as an internal consultant in areas of professional expertise.
• Interdisciplinary Knowledge: Experience with Optimal control theory and experimentation, Quantum verification, validation, & benchmarking, Multi-qubit gates optimization, Quantum transduction, and decoherence mechanisms.

Preferred technical and professional experience

• Advanced Research Methods: Experience with novel research techniques and methodologies in quantum computing, including innovative approaches to error correction theory and software development.
• Interdisciplinary Knowledge: Exposure to relevant fields of mathematics, physics, or computer science, with an understanding of their applications in quantum computing.
• Technical Communication: Experience with effectively communicating complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences, facilitating collaboration and driving strategic initiatives.

ABOUT BUSINESS UNIT

IBM Research is the organic growth engine of IBM and an innovation engine for our customers and partners. As part of this mission, IBM Research anticipates and examines 'What's Next in Computing' to ultimately create and integrate the technologies the world relies upon to solve big challenges and unlock new opportunities. We create and pioneer new markets for IBM, our partners and customers as exemplified in our ongoing quest to reach practical and large-scale quantum computing. Across IBM Research, we realize the power and potential to accelerate discovery with our partners and clients by combining the power of high performance computing, AI, and Quantum, all integrated through the hybrid cloud.

YOUR LIFE @ IBM

In a world where technology never stands still, we understand that, dedication to our clients success, innovation that matters, and trust and personal responsibility in all our relationships, lives in what we do as IBMers as we strive to be the catalyst that makes the world work better.

Being an IBMer means you’ll be able to learn and develop yourself and your career, you’ll be encouraged to be courageous and experiment everyday, all whilst having continuous trust and support in an environment where everyone can thrive whatever their personal or professional background.

Our IBMers are growth minded, always staying curious, open to feedback and learning new information and skills to constantly transform themselves and our company. They are trusted to provide on-going feedback to help other IBMers grow, as well as collaborate with colleagues keeping in mind a team focused approach to include different perspectives to drive exceptional outcomes for our customers. The courage our IBMers have to make critical decisions everyday is essential to IBM becoming the catalyst for progress, always embracing challenges with resources they have to hand, a can-do attitude and always striving for an outcome focused approach within everything that they do.

Are you ready to be an IBMer?

ABOUT IBM

IBM’s greatest invention is the IBMer. We believe that through the application of intelligence, reason and science, we can improve business, society and the human condition, bringing the power of an open hybrid cloud and AI strategy to life for our clients and partners around the world.

Restlessly reinventing since 1911, we are not only one of the largest corporate organizations in the world, we’re also one of the biggest technology and consulting employers, with many of the Fortune 500 companies relying on the IBM Cloud to run their business.

At IBM, we pride ourselves on being an early adopter of artificial intelligence, quantum computing and blockchain. Now it’s time for you to join us on our journey to being a responsible technology innovator and a force for good in the world.

IBM is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, or other characteristics protected by the applicable law. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.

OTHER RELEVANT JOB DETAILS

IBM offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program. Eligible employees may have access to:

- Healthcare benefits including medical & prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, and mental health & well being

- Financial programs such as 401(k), cash balance pension plan, the IBM Employee Stock Purchase Plan, financial counseling, life insurance, short & long- term disability coverage, and opportunities for performance based salary incentive programs

- Generous paid time off including 12 holidays, minimum 56 hours sick time, 120 hours vacation, 12 weeks parental bonding leave in accordance with IBM Policy, and other Paid Care Leave programs. IBM also offers paid family leave benefits to eligible employees where required by applicable law

- Training and educational resources on our personalized, AI-driven learning platform where IBMers can grow skills and obtain industry-recognized certifications to achieve their career goals

- Diverse and inclusive employee resource groups, giving & volunteer opportunities, and discounts on retail products, services & experiences

We consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable law.

This position was posted on the date cited in the key job details section and is anticipated to remain posted for 21 days from this date or less if not needed to fill the role.

The compensation range and benefits for this position are based on a full-time schedule for a full calendar year. The salary will vary depending on your job-related skills, experience and location. Pay increment and frequency of pay will be in accordance with employment classification and applicable laws. For part time roles, your compensation and benefits will be adjusted to reflect your hours. Benefits may be pro-rated for those who start working during the calendar year.

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