Staff Quantum Applications Scientist - Life Sciences

IonQ, Inc. [NYSE: IONQ] is the world’s leading quantum platform and merchant supplier - delivering integrated quantum solutions across computing, networking, sensing, and security. IonQ’s newest generation of quantum computers, the IonQ Tempo, is the latest in a line of cutting-edge systems that have been helping customers and partners including Amazon Web Services, and AstraZeneca achieve 20x performance results and accelerate innovation in drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, logistics, cybersecurity, and defense. In 2025, the company achieved 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity, setting a world record in quantum computing performance.

Headquartered in College Park, Maryland, IonQ has operations in California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Washington, Italy, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Our quantum computing services are available through all major cloud providers, while we also meet the needs of networking and sensing customers across land, sea, air, and space. IonQ is making quantum platforms more accessible and impactful than ever before.  

We’re looking for a Staff Quantum Applications Scientist - Life Sciences who will be part of a cross-functional team at IonQ whose mission is to deliver the world’s best quantum solutions in life sciences on the world’s best quantum computers to solve the world’s most complex and impactful problems. This role is open as part of IonQ’s Quantum Applications team based in either Gothenburg, Sweden or Toronto, Canada. You will work closely with partners within the life sciences innovation ecosystem and beyond to create new hybrid quantum applications with significant commercial impact.

• →Originate and lead development of impactful hybrid quantum applications, algorithms and solutions in the life sciences domain that promise commercial advantages in practice and at scale.
• →Collaborate with quantum compiler, cloud and hardware engineering teams to develop highly optimized hybrid workflows for trapped-ion quantum computers.
• →Contribute knowledge of classical and quantum domain-specific algorithms and tools to evaluate and communicate pros and cons, current state-of-the-art, scaling behavior, trade offs, cross-over points, etc.
• →Lead constructive technical interactions with client teams to find, define, and solve problems of real-world interest using IonQ trapped-ion quantum computers.
• →Represent the team in client and stakeholder presentations, develop presentation content and appropriately adapt it to the audience.
• →Build reusable software platforms to grow IonQ’s user base. Integrate first of a kind quantum algorithms into larger end-to-end workflows.

• Doctorate degree in the life sciences domain, or equivalent work experience.
• At least 3 years of professional experience using and developing computational and ML/AI tools in bioinformatics, molecular biology, development of advanced therapeutics, including a track record of peer-reviewed manuscripts and contributions to code bases.
• At least 3 years of professional experience developing, applying, validating quantum computing algorithms and solutions in the life sciences domain, including prototyping solutions using Python and quantum SDKs like Qiskit, PennyLane, Cirq.
• Desire to work closely with customers including aligning with time zones and work schedules. Potential for international travel and/or onsite co-location.

• Expertise in key mathematical techniques used in quantum computing - linear algebra, matrix decompositions, probability theory, symmetry, computational complexity.
• Success working directly with clients to define and deliver solutions; excellent collaboration and communication skills.

If you are interested in being a part of our team and mission, we encourage you to apply!