Quantum Technology and Software Development Intern, QPU Performance

About IQM Quantum Computers

IQM is a global leader in designing, building, and selling superconducting quantum computers. We provide both on-premises full-stack quantum computers and a cloud platform for access worldwide. Our customers include leading high-performance computing centers, research labs, universities, and enterprises, all with full access to IQM's software and hardware. IQM boasts over 300 employees across offices in Finland, Germany, France, Spain, Poland, Singapore, and the US.

The Opportunity: Quantum Technology and Software Development Intern, QPU Performance

We are seeking interns passionate about quantum engineering to join the Quantum Processing Unit (QPU) Performance Group at IQM in Espoo, Finland, or Munich, Germany, for a 6-month internship. This is a unique chance to work at the intersection of experimental physics, software development, and quantum hardware engineering. You will collaborate with seasoned engineers and researchers, gaining invaluable industry experience while contributing to impactful work that drives the future of quantum computing.

What will I be doing?

We are looking for interns who are interested in one of our core investigative directions and wish to develop themselves in one of the following tracks:

• Becoming an expert in experimental quantum physics (experimental focus).
• Writing great software for controlling quantum computers (backend software and numerics focus).
• Visualizing complex data and creating graphical user interfaces (frontend software focus).

For all tracks, your work will contribute to experimental and numerical studies aimed at boosting the performance of IQM’s quantum processors, with the possibility of involvement in deep research and scientific publications.

If you choose the experimental focus, you will learn the latest techniques for characterization, calibration, and fidelity measurement of single- and two-qubit gates, which are fundamental operations in quantum algorithms.

Within the backend software focus, you will master the development and testing of software tools that enable our research and development workflow. You will also contribute to the closer integration and application of numerical simulations in experimental workflows.

For the frontend software track, you will build internal tools to report on data generated by quantum experiments, and learn efficient visualization and analysis of large scientific datasets.

What skills do I need?

The required technical skillset varies based on your chosen focus area:

Experimental Focus

• BSc degree in physics, quantum technologies, or related engineering disciplines.
• Knowledge of quantum mechanics and quantum computing, for instance, in the context of ongoing MSc-level studies.
• Knowledge of Python programming language.

Backend Software and Numerics Focus

• BSc degree in physics, quantum technologies, mathematics, computer science, or related engineering disciplines.
• Knowledge of quantum mechanics and quantum computing, for instance, in the context of ongoing MSc-level studies.
• Knowledge of Python programming language and its numerical libraries (numpy, scipy), as well as modeling and simulation of quantum systems (e.g., qutip, qiskit). Familiarity with Jax is a plus.
• Familiarity with software development workflows, including unit testing, documentation, version control (git), and CI/CD.

Frontend Software Focus

• BSc degree in computer science or related engineering disciplines.
• Knowledge of Python programming language and its numerical libraries (numpy, scipy), as well as visualization libraries (matplotlib).
• Familiarity with software development workflows, including unit testing, documentation, version control (git), and CI/CD.
• Familiarity with JavaScript, HTML, CSS, D3, and an interest in visualizing scientific data.

Soft Skills

• You possess strong analytical and communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and a curiosity to learn.
• You have good written and spoken English communication skills.
• You are self-driven, motivated, and comfortable in a team-oriented collaborative environment.

What can I expect from IQM?

• Contribute to groundbreaking projects that will shape the future of quantum computers.
• Thrive in a creative and open start-up environment that fosters growth, learning, and innovation.
• Be part of an international, fast-paced environment that values collaboration and cultural diversity.
• Play a significant role in a rapidly growing organization and be a part of our exciting success story.

Key skills/competency

• Quantum Mechanics
• Python Programming
• Superconducting Quantum Processors
• Software Development Workflows
• Data Visualization
• Numerical Simulations
• Experimental Physics
• Qubit Characterization
• Version Control (Git)
• CI/CD