Quantum Scientist - Compilation at Xanadu in Toronto, Ontario, CA

About Xanadu: 

Xanadu’s mission is to build quantum computers that are useful and available to people everywhere. At Xanadu, we are learners, innovators, researchers, collaborators and problem solvers. We are creating something that has never been built before. What we are doing is extremely hard, the classic moon shot. Few people in their life will be able to be a part of something like this, where if we are successful, the technologies we develop will solve some of the world’s most challenging problems, and literally change the world. And that is something to be excited about!

Your role and responsibilities:

At Xanadu, we are developing the technology to execute large-scale quantum algorithms on fault-tolerant quantum computers with millions of physical qubits. As a quantum compilation researcher, you will be part of Xanadu’s software and algorithms group, working with our team of scientists and developers to design cutting-edge quantum algorithms and to build one of the world’s most advanced software platforms for quantum computing. You will play a key role in the team by designing advanced software architectures for quantum compilation, optimizing compilation passes, reducing cost of quantum algorithms, inventing key intellectual property, and publishing scientific papers. At Xanadu you will:

• Add new compilation techniques to the PennyLane+Catalyst ecosystem based on cutting-edge methods, heavily optimized to reduce resource requirements of key algorithms.
• Optimize quantum software pipelines to improve performance and address bottlenecks in compilation of large-scale algorithms.
• Optimize compilation of quantum circuits for execution on fault-tolerant quantum computers with advanced quantum error correction.
• Develop quantum compilation methods for dynamic circuits and for algorithms with control flow.
• Stay up to date with the latest quantum compilation literature and provide thought leadership to the team.
• Invent cutting-edge quantum compilation techniques that significantly push the state of the art.
• Translate research discoveries into performant software.
• Lead projects with multiple cross-functional contributors: algorithms researchers, compilation researchers, software developers, and product managers.

Basic qualifications and experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in Physics, Mathematics, Engineering, Computer Science, or related field (or equivalent experience).
   
• Scientific programming experience in Python, C/C++.
   
• Deep expertise in methods for exact and approximate unitary synthesis.
   
• Expertise in physical-level hardware compilation.
   
• Advanced mathematical skills, especially in linear algebra and group theory.
   
• Familiarity with classical compilation and intermediate representations.
   
• Strong track record of research accomplishments in quantum compilation, demonstrated by peer-reviewed publications.
   
• Ability to conduct research in an interdisciplinary team environment, as well as independently when required.
   
• Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly and effectively.
   
• Ability to manage individual project priorities, deadlines, and deliverables while working in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred qualifications and experience:

• Expertise in quantum error correction and fault-tolerance.
   
• Expertise in quantum algorithms, especially for quantum chemistry and quantum machine learning.
   
• Experience in compilation of dynamic quantum circuits and quantum circuits with control flow.
   
• Familiarity with JAX.
   
• Familiarity with MLIR and LLVM.
   
• Expertise in measurement-based quantum computation.
   
• Track record of translating research into into production-level software.