Quantum Life Sciences Chemist
PsiQuantum
Palo Alto, CA
Quantum computing holds the promise of humanity’s mastery over the natural world, but only if we can build a real quantum computer. PsiQuantum is on a mission to build the first real, useful quantum computers, capable of delivering the world-changing applications that the technology has long promised. We know that means we will need to build a system with roughly 1 million qubits that supports fault tolerant error correction within a scalable architecture, and a data center footprint. By harnessing the laws of quantum physics, quantum computers can provide exponential performance increases over today’s most powerful supercomputers, offering the potential for extraordinary advances across a broad range of industries including climate, energy, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, finance, agriculture, transportation, materials design, and many more. PsiQuantum has determined the fastest path to delivering a useful quantum computer, years earlier than the rest of the industry. Our architecture is based on silicon photonics which gives us the ability to produce our components at Tier-1 semiconductor fabs such as GlobalFoundries where we leverage high-volume semiconductor manufacturing processes, the same processes that are already producing billions of chips for telecom and consumer electronics applications. We also benefit from the quantum mechanics reality that photons don’t feel heat or electromagnetic interference, allowing us to take advantage of existing cryogenic cooling systems and industry standard fiber connectivity. In 2024, PsiQuantum announced two government-funded projects to support the build-out of our first Quantum Data Centers and utility-scale quantum computers in Brisbane, Australia and Chicago, Illinois. Both projects are backed by nations that understand quantum computing’s potential impact and the need to scale this technology to unlock that potential. And we won’t just be building the hardware, but also the fault tolerant quantum applications that will provide industry-transforming results. Quantum computing is not just an evolution of the decades-old advancement in compute power. It provides the key to mastering our future, not merely discovering it. The potential is enormous, and we have the plan to make it real. Come join us. There’s much more work to be done and we are looking for exceptional talent to join us on this extraordinary journey! Job Summary Are you eager to revolutionize life sciences using the transformative power of quantum computing? As a Quantum Life Sciences Chemist, you will lead efforts at the intersection of quantum computing, computational chemistry, and biology, solving critical challenges in drug design, biomolecular modeling, and biological systems simulation. By integrating quantum algorithms with established life sciences methodologies, you will pioneer new approaches to address complex problems in pharmaceuticals, biomaterials, and bioinformatics. Join our interdisciplinary team to advance quantum-enabled innovations and shape the future of life sciences. At PsiQuantum’s Quantum Solutions team, your role will focus on bridging the gap between fault-tolerant quantum computing (FTQC) and established computational chemistry and life sciences tools. You will integrate these approaches with machine learning to explore novel workflows for quantum-informed drug discovery and biomolecular modeling. Your expertise in theoretical and computational chemistry will enable you to connect quantum-computed molecular insights with complex biological systems, driving advancements in drug design, biomaterials, and other critical areas within the life sciences. This position requires a PhD in computational chemistry, biophysics, or a closely related field, preferably with postdoctoral research experience (although postdoc experience is not mandatory). We are looking for a curious, creative, and interdisciplinary thinker with a strong foundation in computational methodologies applicable to life sciences. The ideal candidate should be an avid reader of scientific literature, possess expert-level hands-on coding experience (e.g., Python, Fortran, C++), and have demonstrated skills in developing and applying computational techniques. Experience contributing to scientific software or modeling workflows is a plus. While prior knowledge of quantum information and fault-tolerant quantum computing is highly preferred, it is not required. Responsibilities
- Conduct innovative research, literature analysis, problem solving, and quantum workflow design in the areas of quantum-informed biomolecular modeling, drug discovery, and computational chemistry.
- Collaborate with quantum algorithm experts to identify areas where quantum computing can have the greatest impact in computational chemistry, biology, and life sciences.
- Contribute expertise in conventional (non-quantum-computing) algorithms to the development of in-house quantum algorithms. Serve as a technical lead in customer projects by collaborating with customers’ teams to integrate quantum computing-produced computational outputs into conventional life sciences workflows.
- Serve as a liaison between partner teams and PsiQuantum’s quantum information experts for innovative algorithm selection, development, and prioritization relevant to life sciences.
- Develop computational workflows that combine best-in-class conventional approaches (e.g., through high-performance computing (HPC)) with the breakthrough computational abilities of FTQC to reshape how quantum workflows are designed for life sciences applications.
- Serve as a subject matter expert in computational quantum chemistry and biomolecular modeling for PsiQuantum’s Quantum Solutions team, staying updated on recent academic literature, trends, and tools in life sciences.
- Foster collaboration across teams to maximize the impact of quantum algorithms and quantum computing-generated data in life sciences applications.
- Help shape external-facing materials that champion the applications of FTQC in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and life sciences industries (for key opinion leaders, media, and partners).
- Build and maintain external partnerships and collaborations on the topic, which can include meetings, group problem-solving sessions, or drafting research proposals, among others.
- Create organized internal reports and thoroughly document progress on assigned tasks.
- Ph.D. in computational chemistry, biophysics, bioinformatics, or a closely related field, with a strong focus on computational methodology development, and 0 to 6 years of post-PhD (postdoctoral or industrial) experience.
- Hands-on experience with modeling and simulation of biological systems, such as protein-ligand interactions, enzymatic reactions, or biomolecular dynamics.
- Enthusiasm for working in a collaborative, interdisciplinary, and dynamic team environment.
- Expert-level Python coding skills with experience in scientific libraries relevant to life sciences.
- Proven ability to stay updated on recent academic literature and trends in computational chemistry and biomolecular modeling.
- Strong foundational knowledge of quantum chemistry methods (e.g., DFT, coupled cluster theory, or wavefunction-based approaches) and molecular simulation techniques as applied to biomolecular systems.
- Experience with free energy perturbation (FEP), molecular docking, or similar computational techniques for drug discovery.
- Experience with machine learning (ML) techniques in computational drug discovery, biomolecular modeling, or structural biology.
- Experience with coding GPU-accelerated molecular simulations.
- Familiarity with hybrid quantum-classical methodologies, such as QM/MM, applied to biomolecular systems.
- Knowledge of quantum embedding theories (e.g., DMET, embedded correlated wavefunctions) and their application to large, complex biomolecular systems.
- Hands-on experience with quantum computing or quantum algorithms, especially as applied to biological or chemical systems.
- General understanding of light-matter interactions or electronic excitations relevant to biological or chemical systems, such as energy transfer or photochemical processes.
- Familiarity with advanced quantum mechanical methods (e.g., CASCI, CASSCF) and their relevance to modeling enzymatic reactions or metal-containing biomolecules.
- Demonstrated scientific communication skills through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, or collaboration with industry partners.
- Expert-level C++ or Fortran coding skills.
Posted 2026-01-13
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