Research Scientist, Hybrid Quantum-HPC Systems Architecture

Requisition Id 17394

Overview:

The Advanced Technologies Section (ATS) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory seeks a Senior Research Scientist to lead a research area developing integration models for the co-design of hybrid quantum-HPC systems. Work in this area spans system design, modeling, and digital twins and aims to define how quantum computers will be integrated into future scientific computing systems.

The opportunity

As overall lead of this research area, you will direct R&D into hybrid quantum-HPC system design, using digital twins and simulations to explore and test designs before they are built. The work seeks to address the questions of which classical HPC technologies are required in close proximity to a quantum computer, and how those tightly coupled resources integrate with large-scale HPC and AI facilities for science. The results will shape vendor co-design discussions and requirements for future scientific computing systems.

You will lead the efforts of other research staff, postdocs, and graduate students working in this area. Your models will draw on measurements from ORNL's quantum-HPC testbeds, and you will work with industry partners and the broader HPC and quantum computing research community. You will define future R&D directions for Quantum-HPC systems architecture.

We care most about depth in hybrid quantum-HPC system design and modeling. Broader HPC systems expertise strengthens the group, but no single candidate is expected to cover every area.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Serve as overall lead for the research area developing integration models for co-design of hybrid quantum-HPC systems: set its research agenda, plan milestones, coordinate contributors, and work with program leadership to report milestones and progress toward center and facility goals.
• Drive R&D into hybrid quantum-HPC system design: integration architectures, communication paths between classical and quantum resources, and the system software that ties them together.
• Build digital twins and simulations of hybrid quantum-HPC systems, calibrate them with testbed measurements, and use them to evaluate designs at scales and in configurations that don't exist yet.
• Meet regularly with the research staff, postdocs, and graduate students working in this area to guide its technical direction, and mentor them in research design, publication, and proposal writing.
• Extend the agenda into adjacent systems areas as the work matures, including the interconnects and data paths that link quantum and classical resources.
• Represent ORNL in vendor co-design engagements, DOE program reviews, and community forums such as SC and IEEE Quantum Week.
• Publish peer-reviewed work, write proposals, and secure external funding to grow the research portfolio.

Basic Qualifications:

• PhD in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, physics, computational science, or a related field.
• 2 or more years of research experience beyond the PhD in HPC systems, computer architecture, quantum computing systems, or a related area, with a record of independent research.
• Some experience as technical lead on research carried out by others, such as directing a project team, mentoring postdocs or students, or leading a multi-institution project or workstream. Formal supervisory experience is not required.

Preferred Qualifications:

Strong candidates will bring the first item plus experience in one or more of the others. We encourage you to apply even if you don't match every item.

• Research on hybrid classical-quantum systems: quantum hardware platforms, quantum-classical interfaces, control systems, or hybrid workflows and software stacks.
• HPC system design, integration, or characterization.
• Modeling and simulation of computer systems, such as digital twins, architectural or network simulators, or performance models validated against real hardware.
• Networks and interconnects that couple quantum and classical resources, such as low-latency links between quantum control systems and HPC nodes.
• Heterogeneous and accelerator-based architectures, including GPUs working alongside quantum processors.
• Co-design work with system vendors.
• Clear communication with sponsors, leadership, and the research community.

Special Requirements:

Submit a CV and a one-page statement describing the systems research you would pursue on ORNL's quantum-HPC testbeds. and continue until the position is filled. Questions about the role can go to [redacted] and questions about the application process can go to [redacted].