Quantum Algorithms Engineer Intern 2027

About the Role

At IBM Quantum, the mission is to advance quantum hardware, software, and algorithms to bring useful quantum computing to the world. This internship offers an opportunity to contribute to research at the intersection of quantum algorithms, quantum software, and quantum hardware. The intern will collaborate with researchers and engineers to develop, implement, and evaluate quantum algorithms for complex problems in areas like chemistry, materials science, optimization, and quantum machine learning.

Key Responsibilities

• Research and implement quantum algorithms for practical scientific and computational problems.
• Develop and optimize quantum circuits using Qiskit and the IBM Quantum software stack.
• Execute experiments on real quantum processors and analyze experimental results.
• Investigate techniques for improving circuit performance, including transpilation, circuit optimization, error suppression, and error mitigation.
• Benchmark quantum algorithms using appropriate classical baselines and simulation methods.
• Analyze the scalability and computational requirements of quantum algorithms and identify potential bottlenecks.
• Contribute to research prototypes, technical demonstrations, and software implementations.
• Collaborate with researchers and engineers across quantum algorithms, software, and applications.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Currently pursuing a Ph.D. or Master's degree in Physics, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mathematics, or a closely related field, with research focused on quantum computing or a closely related area.
• Strong understanding of fundamental concepts in quantum computing, quantum information, and quantum algorithms.
• Hands-on experience implementing quantum algorithms using Python and at least one quantum computing SDK, preferably Qiskit.
• Experience with numerical computing and scientific programming in Python, including commonly used scientific computing libraries.
• Ability to independently formulate technical problems, design experiments, analyze results, and communicate conclusions.
• Experience conducting academic or industrial research, preferably with research publications or conference contributions.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a research and engineering environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience executing quantum algorithms on real quantum processors.
• Familiarity with the IBM Quantum platform, Qiskit Runtime, and Qiskit workflows.
• Experience with quantum circuit optimization, transpilation, error suppression, or error mitigation.
• Knowledge of variational quantum algorithms, quantum simulation, quantum chemistry, quantum optimization, or quantum machine learning.
• Experience benchmarking quantum algorithms against classical methods or simulators.
• Familiarity with tensor-network methods, MPS simulation, stabilizer simulation, or other approaches for assessing classical simulability of quantum circuits.
• Experience with HPC or hybrid quantum-classical computing workflows.
• Familiarity with software engineering practices such as Git, testing, documentation, and reproducible research.
• Demonstrated ability to work across disciplinary boundaries and communicate technical concepts to researchers and engineers from different backgrounds.