The posting
About the Role:
QuNorth is looking for a Quantum Error Correction (QEC) Lead to help develop and lead our collaborative Quantum Error Correction program, in addition to participating in other aspects of operationalizing Magne, QuNorth’s Neutral Atom quantum computer, in a fast-paced but stable startup environment.
QuNorth is a new Nordic Hub for quantum exploration, providing the region’s enterprises, researchers, and startups with the capability to test, learn, and build on Magne, a world-leading Level 2 quantum computer. With strong backing from EIFO and the Novo Nordisk Foundation, QuNorth will operate Magne as a shared platform for Nordic industries, research organisations, and start-ups. Our aim is to provide the access, tools, expertise, and support needed to explore new quantum applications across all relevant areas, including, but not limited to, life sciences, innovative materials, biochemistry, and AI.
Magne’s physical layer, developed by Atom Computing, includes 1200+ Ytterbium-171 atoms, serving as physical qubits with all-to-all connectivity. It can be operated seamlessly in logical mode enabled by Microsoft, providing tens of logical qubits depending on QEC code. Magne can also be operated in physical mode with mid-circuit measurement and feedforward, which in conjunction with its all-to-all connectivity at scale turns Magne into an excellent platform for exploration of novel QEC techniques, unconstrained by “chip topology”. We envision QEC projects and broader QEC-related partnerships to be a strong component of QuNorth’s portfolio. Working directly with the CTO, and interfacing with the CPO team and QuNorth’s users and partners, the QEC Lead will help shape this key component of the QuNorth portfolio. This role will, at least initially, be mostly a technical leadership role, rather than a managerial position.
We are a small and committed team working to build QuNorth from the ground up as a reliable and transparent organization that contributes to the long-term strength of the Nordic quantum computing ecosystem.
Your Responsibilities:
The successful candidate will eagerly engage in many of the following directions:
- Lead QuNorth’s technical work on quantum error correction, including strategy, architecture assessment, simulation, benchmarking, resource estimation, and roadmap development.
- Evaluate and compare QEC codes, decoding approaches, logical gate schemes, error models, and fault-tolerant architectures.
- Work with hardware, software, and theory collaborators to connect QEC requirements and assumptions to realistic device constraints.
- Help identify which QEC approaches are most relevant to QuNorth’s mission and which are not.
- Work closely with QuNorth’s CTO and Quantum Applications and Algorithms Lead to explore the interplay between applications, algorithms, QCVV, compilation, QEC, noise, error mitigation, and logical-mode operation, including opportunities for integration and co-design.
- Represent QuNorth in collaborations, including with universities, research institutes, startups, and enterprises.
- Contribute to proposals, grant applications, reports, publications, presentations, and internal documents.
- Help recruit, mentor, and coordinate future team members working on QEC, quantum architecture, simulation, and related topics.
- Participate in broader company-building work, including technical due diligence, collaborator or partner discussions, product strategy, documentation, and operational tasks.
- Use AI tools effectively and responsibly to accelerate research, coding, literature review, writing, planning, analysis, operations, and internal workflows.
- Help establish a high standard for scientific rigor, clear communication, and effective execution within the company.
Your Experience and Qualifications:
We expect strong candidates to have many of the following:
- A PhD or equivalent experience required in quantum information, quantum computing, physics, computer science, mathematics, electrical engineering, or a related field.
- 3+ years of experience in QEC beyond PhD.
- Deep understanding of quantum error correction and fault-tolerant quantum computing.
- Deep familiarity with topics such as surface codes, qLDPC codes, color codes, bosonic codes, subsystem codes, concatenated codes, holographic codes, and other conventional or emerging QEC approaches.
- ‘Hands-on’ experience with decoding algorithms, error models, threshold analysis, logical error rates, resource estimation, and architecture-level tradeoffs.
- Deep familiarity with QCVV techniques, including benchmarking approaches.
- Deep familiarity with protocols for mitigation and characterization of noise and error, and their relationship with QEC and relevant thresholds.
- Strong programming experience, preferably in Python or similar scientific computing environments, with experience developing simulations, analysis workflows, notebooks, benchmarking tools, or research software.
- Experience collaborating across disciplines with comfort, especially between theory, software, and experimental teams.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Comfort working in an early-stage environment where priorities evolve and everyone contributes beyond their formal job title.
- Practical experience using AI tools such as LLMs, coding assistants, literature tools, agentic workflows, and AI-enabled analysis environments.
- Good judgment about when AI tools are useful, when they are unreliable, and how to verify their outputs.
The Team:
The position is based in our new offices at Rønnegade 6 in Copenhagen, where Magne is also currently being built. You will be part of the Technology team under the CTO, and will interact closely with the Product team under the CPO and the rest of QuNorth as well.
Like many start-ups, we are building QuNorth as we go. You will join a very entrepreneurial team, driven by curiosity about the technology, with a desire to make an impact while working in a fun and engaging workplace. As an early employee, you will be an important contributor to building this environment along with us.
What We Offer:
A unique opportunity to be part of standing up and operating a quantum computing company with strong backers, in modern offices located centrally in the Innovation District Copenhagen with convenient public transport and lunch service.
Comprehensive remuneration package, including benefits that support an environment where people can grow and do their best work.
This position will be based in Copenhagen, which offers a rare combination of international outlook, strong quantum and deep-tech ecosystem, and excellent quality of life, consistently ranked amongst the most liveable cities in the world.
Application and Contact:
If you wish to know more about the position, please reach out to Dr. Kasra Nowrouzi, CTO at QuNorth, at [email protected]
Please be aware that we will be reviewing applications on an ongoing basis.
All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.
We look very much forward to receiving your application.
