Quantum Research Lead

Department: Engineering

Location: Remote

Compensation: $180K – $200K

Employment Type: FullTime

Role Overview

As Quantum Research Lead, you will own the research direction for quantum execution verification, quantum money and quantum algorithm development/optimization as it relates to distributed execution and blockchain integration.

This role blends research rigor with systems thinking: you’ll propose verification approaches, define architecture boundaries (what must be deterministic vs async), prototype core ideas, and produce publishable outputs that build credibility.

You will collaborate closely with protocol engineers and leadership to define how quantum computation can be executed and verified in a decentralized context today—while laying groundwork for future integrations where real quantum hardware participates safely.

Research Themes We Care About

Quantum Execution Verification

• Verifiable/delegated quantum computation (classical verification of quantum work)

• Interactive/non-interactive verification designs and system constraints

• How proofs/verification artifacts land on-chain and affect protocol economics/throughput

Quantum Algorithms & Optimization

• Identify and develop quantum algorithms relevant to real workloads

• Circuit optimization, compilation constraints, complexity reductions

• Execution models and abstractions for distributed and/or verifiable quantum execution

Quantum Money / Quantum Bills

• Research on quantum-native money primitives (quantum banknotes, quantum tokens, public verifiability)

• Security models: unforgeability, transferability, anti-double-spend properties, loss/robustness assumptions

• Practical verification pathways (device assumptions, verification cost, trust/minimization strategies)

• How quantum money concepts could interface with an on-chain system (e.g., registration, redemption, escrow, auditability, and failure modes)

• Long-term exploration: whether quantum money primitives can enable new consensus/incentive designs (research-only initially)

Quantum Systems + Distributed Integration (Nice-to-have)

• Coprocessor designs, asynchronous execution models, incentive mechanisms

• Reliability, adversarial models, and failure handling under decentralized assumptions

• Long-term: exploring safe ways for quantum hardware to participate in consensus (research-only initially)

Key Responsibilities

• Own the quantum research roadmap across verification and algorithms, aligned to product milestones.

• Design candidate approaches for verifiable quantum execution and specify integration points with the chain.

• Produce high-quality research outputs:

  • internal technical memos, specs, prototypes, benchmarks

  • (when strategic) preprints, workshop papers, conference submissions

• Prototype core ideas in code (or guide engineers building them): reference implementations, simulators, verification artifacts.

• Define evaluation methodology: performance budgets, security assumptions, adversarial models, and tradeoff analysis.

• Represent Quantum publicly via conference talks, panels, workshops, and technical writing.

Required Qualifications

• Master's/PhD (completed or in-progress) in Quantum Computing, Quantum Information, Computer Science, or a closely related field (or equivalent research track record).

• Strong background in quantum computing research, with demonstrated ability to design and evaluate new approaches.

• Familiarity with at least one of:

  • verifiable/delegated quantum computation

  • quantum protocols and complexity

  • quantum algorithm design and optimization

• Strong communication skills: can write clear research summaries, specs, and proposals for engineering teams.

Nice-to-Have

• Track record of academic publications (quantum computing / quantum information / systems / security venues).

• Prior experience at a quantum computing company or research lab.

• Programming ability in Rust, TypeScript, Python (or similar).

• Knowledge of blockchain and distributed systems (consensus, incentives, adversarial models).

• Exposure to proof systems / verifiable computation (ZK, commitments, interactive proofs).

• Conference speaking experience and comfort representing work publicly.

What Success Looks Like (First 90 Days)

• A clear roadmap for quantum verification and algorithm execution tied to protocol milestones.

• A proposed architecture for “quantum execution + verification artifacts → on-chain representation.”

• Early prototypes demonstrating feasibility constraints and performance budgets.

• Clear threat model and assumptions for the chosen verification direction.

• At least one credible external research direction (submission plan optional, but research-quality outputs expected).

What We Offer

• $180k–$200k base salary, plus equity/token package and performance bonuses.

• Fully remote, high-autonomy environment with real ownership.

• Conference/training support and access to research resources.

• Direct influence on a frontier quantum + blockchain research agenda.