Job Title
Director, Ohio Quantum Computing Institute

Department
Dean's Office College of Engineering and Computing

Worker Type
Regular

Pay Type
Salary

Position Salary Minimum
$150,000

Position Salary Maximum
$200,000

Salary will be commensurate with the level of the position, education, and experience.

Scheduled Weekly Hours
40

Benefit Eligible
Yes

Screening Date
2026-04-01

Job Description Summary
The Ohio Quantum Computing Institute (OQCI), established through a $7 million state investment in partnership between Miami University and Cleveland Clinic, seeks a distinguished scholar-leader to serve as its inaugural Director. This is a 9-month faculty appointment at Miami University, with research support and reduced teaching load, for an accomplished researcher who will maintain an active, externally funded research program while building and leading the Institute's strategic growth at Miami University.

Job Description

The Director will shape and execute a research vision that advances applied and translational quantum computing, with a strategic emphasis on healthcare and biomedical applications in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic, while supporting broader impact in areas such as optimization, cryptography, and materials simulation. A key responsibility of the Director is to lead the development of a diversified and sustainable research funding portfolio that supports center-scale growth and interdisciplinary collaboration, including major federal research opportunities (e.g., NSF center-scale programs), state innovation initiatives, multi-institutional and workforce development awards, industry partnerships, and translational research programs.

The Director will strategically grow quantum research capacity at Miami, leveraging existing faculty expertise and interdisciplinary strengths to elevate the university's research competitiveness and impact. Working closely with university leadership and campus partners the Director will establish the infrastructure and collaborations necessary for long-term institutional success.

Key Responsibilities:

Research Vision and Innovation

• Establish and lead a multidisciplinary research agenda leveraging quantum computing and technology for healthcare, industrial, and academic impact.
• Spearhead funding proposals and attract external grants and investments for continued Institute growth.
• Facilitate the integration of classical high-performance computing and AI-based GPU systems with quantum processors to support hybrid workflows for medical research.
• Guide commercialization efforts, leading the progression of quantum technologies from research to practical, scalable implementation.

Institute Leadership

• Develop and implement the strategic vision and roadmap of the OQCI.
• Recruit and mentor distinguished faculty and staff, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation.

External Engagement and Workforce Development

• Cultivate relationships with higher education, government, and industry stakeholders across Ohio.
• Represent the Institute in state, national and international forums.
• Support workforce development and talent pipelines to position Ohio as a global quantum technology hub.

Minimum Qualifications:

Required: PhD (or MD-PhD) in quantum information science, computer science, physics, engineering, applied mathematics, or a closely related discipline, with a strong record of peer-reviewed research in quantum computing or quantum-enabled technologies. The position is a 9-month faculty appointment with an academic home in an appropriate department within the College of Engineering and Computing (or other aligned unit). The successful candidate will be appointed at the rank of Associate or Full Professor, with tenure or tenure eligibility consistent with university policies. The successful applicant will have a strong record of peer-reviewed research in quantum computing or quantum-enabled technologies and will be expected to maintain an active, externally funded research program, contribute to graduate and/or undergraduate teaching, with a reduced teaching load commensurate with administrative responsibilities, participate in service activities, including mentoring faculty and students, and contributing to departmental, college, and university governance as appropriate. Salary is based on a 9-month academic-year appointment, with opportunities for summer research support contingent on external funding and institutional resources.

Consideration will be given to applicants with experience advancing applied or translational quantum computing, including the development of algorithms, software platforms, or hybrid classical-quantum workflows that support real-world applications. Experience collaborating across disciplines, particularly in healthcare, biomedical, optimization, cryptography, or materials domains, is strongly preferred. Demonstrate leadership in building research teams and positioning interdisciplinary groups for center-scale and workforce-oriented funding opportunities, including creating and expanding funding pathways for junior faculty.

Additional Position Information (if applicable)

Research Ecosystem and Institutional Infrastructure

Ohio offers a distinctive environment for applied quantum research, anchored by statewide investment, a globally recognized healthcare system, and strong federal and industry partnerships. Through the Ohio Federal Research Network (OFRN), Miami faculty have connectivity to the Air Force Research Laboratory and other federal research centers, creating opportunities for defense- and aerospace-aligned quantum initiatives. The state's strengths in advanced manufacturing, materials science, healthcare innovation, and emerging semiconductor infrastructure further position Ohio as a growing hub for quantum-enabled technologies and workforce development.

Miami University provides integrated support for research growth, innovation, and applied impact. The ASPIRE Office advances large-scale and multi-investigator proposal development and strengthens competitiveness for major federal awards. The Office for Research and Innovation (ORI) supports sponsored programs, compliance, and corporate engagement, while Miami's technology transfer team guides intellectual property strategy and commercialization. College[redacted] further expands industry and community partnerships, enhancing applied research and workforce development. Together, these units create a coordinated infrastructure to accelerate research impact and institutional growth.

Miami also supports OQCI through a robust and scalable quantum computing ecosystem that integrates advanced hardware access, high-performance simulation, and cloud-based platforms. Through its partnership with Cleveland Clinic, faculty have access to the IBM Quantum System One ("IBM Eagle R3"), a 156-qubit superconducting quantum processor enabling state-of-the-art universal quantum research and application development. Complementing this capability, Miami is deploying a GPU-accelerated quantum simulation environment (NVIDIA H200 NVL architecture with high-memory Xeon processors and high-speed interconnects) to support hybrid classical-quantum workflows, algorithm development, and large-scale simulation. Faculty and students additionally utilize AWS Braket to access multiple quantum architectures for research and instruction. Together, these resources provide a strong foundation for applied quantum research, software innovation, and hybrid computing advancement.

Required Application Documents
Resume/CV and Cover Letter

Special Instructions (if applicable)
Inquiries may be directed to Dr. Marnie Saunders at [redacted]. Screening of applications will begin two weeks from posting date and will continue until the position is filled.

Additional Information

A criminal background check is required. All campuses are smoke- and tobacco-free campuses.

Remote Work
For positions that are approved for remote work: Remote work is not a right, it is a work arrangement that can be modified or revoked by Miami University at any time for any reason, including the convenience of the University.

Reasonable Accommodations
Requests for reasonable accommodations for disabilities related to employment should be directed to [redacted] or [redacted]. Questions and follow-ups regarding requests should also be directed here.