Senior Researcher, Quantum Finance Engineering

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About IonQ:

IonQ, Inc. [NYSE: IONQ] is the world’s leading quantum company delivering solutions to solve the world’s most complex problems. IonQ’s newest generation quantum computers, IonQ Tempo and IonQ Forte Enterprise, are the latest in cutting-edge systems that have been helping customers and partners such as Amazon Web Services, AstraZeneca, and NVIDIA achieve 20x performance results. The company achieved 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity, setting a world record in quantum computing performance in 2025.

The company is accelerating its technology roadmap and intends to deliver the world’s most powerful quantum computers with 2 million qubits by 2030 to accelerate innovation in drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, logistics, cybersecurity, and defense. IonQ’s advancements in quantum networking position the company as a leader in building the quantum internet.

IonQ is seeking a Senior Researcher, Engineering of Quantum Computing for Financial Applications and Algorithms to co-lead the design, development, and implementation of quantum solutions that address high-value use cases in the financial sector. The ideal candidate will bridge deep domain expertise in financial mathematics, quantitative modeling, and optimization with quantum algorithm design and near-term hardware capabilities.

This role is highly strategic and interdisciplinary. You will collaborate with IonQ’s hardware, software, and research teams to identify problems where quantum advantage is emerging, engage with global financial institutions to co-develop pilots, and contribute to the evolution of IonQ’s algorithmic and application roadmap. The position involves meeting with customers, academic collaborators, and internal teams across IonQ’s global ecosystem.

Unlike traditional roles in quantum information theory, this role requires deep expertise not only in quantum computing, but also in the finance industry domain and in AI/ML. The ideal candidate is expected to be not only an expert in quantum computing, but also very knowledgeable in quantitative analysis and in finance use cases such as portfolio optimization, option pricing, risk analysis and fraud detection. Deep knowledge in classical and quantum AI/ML is a plus because AI/ML is now a foundational discipline in finance.

Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the creation of  IonQ’s research and development initiatives in quantum algorithms for finance, including portfolio optimization, option pricing, risk modeling, fraud detection, and derivative valuation.
• Be an expert and a capable project manager in the following areas: quantum information theory, high performance computing, circuit compilation and optimization, error correction and quantum software engineering, integrating these components to make quantum algorithms and applications for finance run on real quantum hardware today.
• Contribute to the translation of financial problem statements into quantum algorithmic frameworks suited for NISQ (Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum) devices and future fault-tolerant architectures.
• Collaborate with IonQ’s Quantum Solutions and Partnerships teams to define and execute industry pilots with major banks, hedge funds, and asset managers.
• Publish and present groundbreaking results at top-tier academic and industry venues, helping shape global thought leadership in quantum finance.
• Be an active member of a high-performing interdisciplinary team of quantum scientists, financial engineers, and software developers.
• Partner with IonQ’s business and product teams to translate research outcomes into deployable, scalable commercial offerings.
• Represent IonQ in external collaborations with academic institutions, government agencies, and consortia focused on quantum advantage in finance.
• Travel 10%-20% of the time to support customer engagements, research collaborations, and strategic partnership initiatives.

You’d be a good fit with:

• Ph.D. in Physics, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Quantitative Finance, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in quantitative research, algorithm design, or computational finance, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Excellent knowledge and skills not only in quantum computing, but also in error correction, circuit compilation and optimization, high-performance computing, and quantum software engineering.Excellent knowledge and skills in quantum for AI/ML.
• Demonstrated expertise in quantum algorithms, optimization, or machine learning; familiarity with quantum programming frameworks (e.g., Qiskit, Cirq, IonQ SDK, Pennylane).
• Deep understanding of financial modeling, including stochastic calculus, numerical methods, and high-performance computing.
• Proven record of publishing or deploying innovative solutions in finance, operations research, or applied quantum computing.
• Exceptional communication skills, capable of engaging both technical and executive-level audiences.

You’d be a great fit with:

• Knowledge in quantitative research
• Experience with use cases typical of banks and hedge funds

Location: This position can work onsite or hybrid from one of our offices (College Park, MD, Bothell, WA) or fully remote in the US.

Travel: up to 20% Job ID:  1193

The approximate base salary range for this position is $123,191 - $161,289. The total compensation package includes base, bonus, and equity.

Compensation will vary based on individual factors such as education, qualifications, and experience of the final candidate(s), specific office location, and calibration against relevant market data and internal team equity.  Posted base salary figures are subject to change as new market data becomes available. Our benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, matching 401K, unlimited PTO and paid holidays, parental/adoption leave, legal insurance, and a home technology stipend.  Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided when a candidate receives an offer of employment.

IonQ's HQ is located in College Park, Maryland, just outside of Washington DC. We are actively building out our recently opened manufacturing and production facility in Bothell, WA (near Seattle). Depending on the position, you may be required to be near one of our offices in College Park, Seattle, Toronto, Canada, and Basel, Switzerland. However, IonQ will expand into additional domestic and international geographies, so don’t let this stop you from applying!

At IonQ, we believe in fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all while striving to identify and eliminate barriers. We empower employees to thrive by fostering a culture of autonomy, productivity, and respect. We are dedicated to creating an environment where individuals can feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued.

We are committed to equity and justice. We welcome different voices and viewpoints and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ancestry, physical and/or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

US Technical Jobs.The position you are applying for will require access to technology that is subject to U.S. export control and government contract restrictions.  Employment with IonQ is contingent on either verifying “U.S. Person” (e.g., U.S. citizen, U.S. national, U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum) status for export controls and government contracts work, obtaining any necessary license, and/or confirming the availability of a license exception under U.S. export controls.  Please note that in the absence of confirming you are a U.S. Person for export control and government contracts work purposes, IonQ may choose not to apply for a license or decline to use a license exception (if available) for you to access export-controlled technology that may require authorization, and similarly, you may not qualify for government contracts work that requires U.S. Persons, and IonQ may decline to proceed with your application on those bases alone.  Accordingly, we will have some additional questions regarding your immigration status that will be used for export control and compliance purposes, and the answers will be reviewed by compliance personnel to ensure compliance with federal law.

US Non-Technical Jobs.Due to applicable export control laws and regulations, candidates must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum. Accordingly, we will have some additional questions regarding your immigration status that will be used for export control and compliance purposes, and the answers will be reviewed by compliance personnel to ensure compliance with federal law.

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