Associate Scientist, Quantum

Universities Space Research Association•Mountain View, CA

About The Position

Associate Scientist, Post Doc, Scientist, or Sr. Scientist, Quantum Information Sciences (level will depend on education and experience) USRA’s Research Institute for Advanced Computer Science (RIACS) operates a Quantum Computing Artificial Intelligence Lab at NASA’s Ames Research Center that conducts strategic multi-disciplinary, integrative research and science that supports NASA’s long-term mission requirements. Additionally, RIACS leads research projects sponsored by DoW, DOE and National Science Foundation and the private sector on applied quantum computing and artificial intelligence. The team works in partnership with a number of organizations from academia, industry and the U.S. Government. POSITION SUMMARY: This interdisciplinary position is currently flexible on the seniority of the right candidate. Titles for the possible recruit include Research Assistant, Postdoc, Associate Scientist, Scientist and Senior Scientists. This position is meant as a recruiting vehicle for a variety of projects within RIACS and multiple candidates could be hired. The researcher is expected to work with a high degree of independence, in regular interaction with collaborators of other scientists and engineers. The researcher will perform research and development, potentially in collaboration with NASA Quantum AI laboratory at Ames Research Center in Silicon valley. They will serve as a regular contributor to significant peer reviewed scientific papers recognized as significant works in the field through citations or other accepted indicators. They will present significant advances at relevant major conferences or academic institutions. They will contribute to the development of new expertise and concepts in connection to additional discipline outside quantum computing, in particular: 1. Benchmarking and designing AI models for a variety of tasks – including physics-informed principles and/or LLM reasoning benchmarks. 2. Modeling physics and performing analysis on phenomenology of quantum or classical heuristics. 3. Theory understanding and analysis based on physics and computer science principles such as combinatorics, thermodynamics.

Requirements

Ph.D. degree in Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics, or Computer Engineering strongly preferred.
Exceptional candidates with documented experience holding only Master’s degree are also encouraged to apply.
Publications with leading contributions demonstrating knowledge of numerical AI methods, Data Science.
Experience developing analytical and numerical models and algorithms.
Advanced understanding of statistics.
Advanced understanding of physics and/or quantum computing.
Experience building theoretical or software tools.
Experience with theoretical physics methods of analysis, simulation, optimization or machine learning methods, visualization modes of presentation and interaction.
Excellent coding skills in Python and other relevant languages.
Familiarity with efficient data manipulation techniques with various data mining and machine learning methods applied to “Big data”, data with large volume, high velocity, high variability and changing definitions.
Familiarity with latest generation of AI research and analysis tools (e.g. ChatGPT, Gemini, Co-Pilot, Anthropic, Cursor and equivalent)

Nice To Haves

Experience in running large scale computations on HPC platforms. Comfortable in Linux + GPU environments
Familiarity and research experience in one or multiple of these Quantum Computing topics: Quantum Error Corrections, Quantum Algorithms Resource Estimates, Quantum Thermodynamics, Fault Tolerant Architectures, Quantum Information with qudits.
Familiarity and research experience in one or multiple of these AI topics: LLM Reasoning, Fine-tuning, Combinatorial and Continuous Optimization, test-time optimization
Strong knowledge of open-source LLMs (model families, quantization, memory/runtime tradeoffs, licensing)
Hands-on experience running and profiling models locally (GPU, multi-GPU, quantized setups)
Research experience in one or more: Quantum Error Correction, Quantum Algorithms (resource estimates), Quantum Thermodynamics, Fault-Tolerant Architectures
Familiarity with open quantum systems or energy-based / Ising-style formulations is a plus
Backend development experience (Python, C , or related).
For Sr. Career candidates only: experience in supervising graduate students/interns. Experience in winning funding for R&D and interacting with sponsor’s stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Satisfy USRA's non-profit mission my making a distinctive impact through scientific and technical accomplishments in the assigned projects.
Directly perform, and publish, research at the highest standards.
Engage academic, industrial, and government research communities in collaborative research through activities such as seminars and other talks, workshops, and conferences.
Expand awareness of the group’s research results and capabilities through participation in relevant research communities, professional societies, and industry associations.
Work effectively with others including functional staff for day-to-day operations and efforts to improve operational excellence.
Act safely, ethically and in compliance with all laws and regulations and USRA policies and procedures including protecting government and USRA intellectual property, complying with ITAR/EAR rules, and completing all required training as scheduled.
Ensure the protection intellectual property including submitting new technology disclosures and supporting patent applications
Ensure export control compliance related to ITAR/EAR regulations
Support efforts by USRA Management to ensure that USRA conducts its business operations in an effective, cost-competitive, and professional manner
Complete all trainings as scheduled
Other job related duties as assigned