Applied Quantum Researcher - UK&Europe (Fulltime/Remote)

Work on the Future of Industrial Computing

At JIJ, we believe the future of computing will not be driven by a single technology. The most impactful solutions emerge from combining mathematical optimisation, artificial intelligence, high-performance computing (HPC), quantum-inspired algorithms, and quantum computing to solve real industrial challenges.

Rather than developing technology for its own sake, we work alongside industrial customers to identify the most effective computational approach for each problem and translate cutting-edge research into practical business impact.

As we continue expanding across the UK and Europe, we are looking for exceptional researchers and engineers who want to build the next generation of computational technologies while working on real-world industrial challenges.

Current Projects

Our Applied Quantum R&D team is actively contributing to international research programmes and industrial collaborations, including:

SparQ (National Quantum Computing Centre, UK)

JIJ is collaborating with the UK’s National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC), BP, and leading quantum hardware providers to develop and benchmark quantum and quantum-inspired optimisation solutions for large-scale industrial optimisation problems.

The project evaluates practical quantum advantage by comparing classical, quantum-inspired, and quantum approaches across realistic industrial use cases, helping define where emerging quantum technologies can deliver measurable business value.

Q-NEKO (European Union)

Q-NEKO is a collaborative European research programme focused on advancing hybrid quantum-classical optimisation technologies.

Working with leading European universities, research organisations, and industrial partners, JIJ develops scalable optimisation algorithms, benchmarking methodologies, and software frameworks that accelerate the practical adoption of quantum computing in real-world industrial applications.

Industrial Innovation Projects

Beyond publicly funded research, our team delivers optimisation, AI, and computational science solutions for customers across sectors including:

• Energy
• Manufacturing
• Logistics
• Telecommunications
• Healthcare
• Finance
• Infrastructure

Our work spans the full innovation lifecycle—from mathematical modelling and algorithm design to software engineering, benchmarking, customer delivery, and product development.

Why Join JIJ?

Joining JIJ means much more than joining a quantum computing company.

You will have the opportunity to:

• Solve challenging industrial problems with measurable real-world impact.
• Work across optimisation, AI, HPC, quantum-inspired computing, and quantum computing.
• Collaborate with industrial customers, leading universities, national laboratories, and technology partners across Europe, Japan, and North America.
• Publish research while building production-quality scientific software.
• Help shape the technical direction of a fast-growing global deep-tech company.

If you enjoy combining rigorous research with practical engineering, JIJ offers an environment where both are equally valued.

Location & Working Arrangement

Locations

We are currently hiring in:

• United Kingdom
• Germany

Applications from other EU countries may also be considered depending on employment arrangements.

Employment

Full-time

Working Style

JIJ operates a remote-first working environment.

Most day-to-day work is carried out remotely, while team members periodically travel to London or Hamburg for collaborative R&D, customer engagements, workshops, and team meetings.

We support flexible working hours and encourage healthy work-life balance.

Visa Sponsorship

Visa sponsorship and relocation support may be available for eligible candidates.

Compensation

Typical annual base salary:

United Kingdom £60,000–£80,000

Germany / Eligible EU Countries €70,000–€90,000

Compensation is based on experience, technical expertise, and overall qualifications. Exceptional candidates may be considered above these ranges.

Additional compensation and benefits may include:

• Annual performance bonus
• Stock options (where applicable)
• Visa sponsorship
• Relocation support

What You’ll Do

As an Applied Quantum Researcher / R&D Engineer, you will contribute to the design, development, and deployment of advanced computational technologies for real industrial applications.

Depending on your expertise and interests, your work may include:

Research & Algorithm Development

• Design mathematical models and optimisation algorithms for complex industrial decision-making problems.
• Develop quantum, quantum-inspired, and hybrid quantum-classical algorithms.
• Investigate AI and machine learning techniques that complement optimisation workflows.
• Evaluate new computational approaches for emerging hardware and software platforms.

Software Engineering

• Develop high-quality scientific software using modern software engineering practices.
• Build reusable optimisation libraries, benchmarking tools, and research prototypes.
• Integrate research outcomes into JIJ’s commercial software products and customer solutions.

Benchmarking & Performance Evaluation

• Benchmark classical, quantum-inspired, and quantum algorithms across industrial use cases.
• Evaluate solution quality, scalability, computational efficiency, and practical business impact.
• Contribute to benchmarking methodologies for next-generation computational technologies.

Collaborative Research

• Work closely with industrial customers to understand challenging optimisation problems.
• Collaborate with universities, national laboratories, and international research partners.
• Contribute to publicly funded R&D programmes and collaborative innovation projects.

Technical Leadership

As your experience grows, you will have opportunities to:

• Lead technical work packages within international R&D projects.
• Mentor junior researchers and engineers.
• Contribute to technical strategy and product roadmap discussions.
• Represent JIJ through conference presentations, publications, workshops, and customer engagements.

Qualifications

We’re looking for curious researchers and engineers who enjoy solving challenging computational problems and turning advanced research into practical solutions.

You may be an excellent fit if you have:

• A Ph.D. (or equivalent industrial experience) in Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, Operations Research, Quantum Computing, or a related field.
• Strong expertise in one or more of the following:
• Mathematical Optimisation
• Quantum Computing
• Quantum Algorithms
• Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning
• Scientific Computing
• High-Performance Computing (HPC)
• Strong programming skills in Python, C++, Julia, Rust, or similar languages.
• Experience developing scientific software and computational tools.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.

Japanese language skills are welcome but are not required.

Preferred Qualifications

The following experience is advantageous but not essential:

Computational Technologies

• Quantum computing software frameworks (e.g. Qiskit, PennyLane, Cirq, CUDA-Q)
• Mathematical optimisation solvers (e.g. Gurobi, CPLEX, HiGHS, SCIP)
• Hybrid quantum-classical optimisation
• Metaheuristics and combinatorial optimisation
• High-performance computing and parallel computing
• GPU programming
• Cloud computing platforms

Research Experience

• Industrial R&D projects
• Government-funded research programmes
• International collaborative research
• Scientific publications
• Benchmarking methodologies
• Open-source software development

Personal Qualities

We particularly value people who:

• Enjoy working across disciplines.
• Are motivated by solving real customer problems.
• Balance scientific curiosity with practical engineering.
• Communicate openly and collaborate effectively.
• Take ownership and continuously seek to improve both themselves and the technologies they build.

Recruitment Process

Our hiring process is designed to understand both your technical expertise and how you collaborate with others.

The typical process includes:

1. CV Review
2. Initial Interview
3. Technical Test
4. Final Interview
5. Offer

We aim to provide timely feedback throughout the process and make the experience as transparent as possible.

About JIJ

JIJ is a global deep-tech company specialising in mathematical optimisation, artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, and quantum computing.

Our mission is: Make Society Computable, Contributing to the Advancement of Humanity.

We develop advanced computational technologies that enable organisations to make better decisions in increasingly complex environments.

Our flagship platform, JijZept, provides an integrated environment for modelling, optimisation, benchmarking, and deployment, helping customers apply the most effective computational technologies to their challenges.

Today, JIJ collaborates with industrial customers, technology partners, universities, and research organisations across Japan, the UK, Europe, and North America to deliver solutions in energy, manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, telecommunications, finance, and other industries.

Our Culture

We’re looking for people who are curious, collaborative, and motivated by solving difficult problems.

At JIJ, you’ll find an environment where:

• Research and engineering are equally valued.
• Technical excellence and practical impact go hand in hand.
• Curiosity, ownership, and continuous learning are encouraged.
• Diverse perspectives strengthen better ideas and better products.
• Every team member has the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution.

Equal Opportunity

JIJ is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives can thrive.

We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion, or any other protected characteristic.