Riverlane is hiring a Principal Investigator, Quantum Error Correction to lead high-value, strategically important research programs through collaborations with national labs, government agencies, and major research institutions. You will blend hands-on research with technical leadership, setting scientific direction and representing Riverlane externally.
What You'll Do
- Conceive, conduct, and lead original research in quantum error correction and related areas.
- Define and own the technical direction for externally funded research programs.
- Act as Principal Investigator with responsibility for technical delivery against agreed milestones.
- Drive research projects from concept through execution, working hands-on where appropriate.
- Publish high-quality research in leading journals and conferences, and present results at major venues.
- Lead technical contributions to competitive funding proposals and oral evaluations.
- Serve as Riverlane’s senior technical interface to government agencies, national labs, and research partners.
- Mentor researchers and contribute to Riverlane’s research culture and technical excellence.
- Potentially build and lead a small research team as programs grow.
What We're Looking For
- PhD in mathematics, physics, computer science, or a related technical field (or equivalent professional experience).
- Experience as Principal Investigator engaging with different stakeholders (ideally in the government sector).
- Track record of driving projects on time whilst meeting or exceeding expectations.
- Experience leading projects involving multiple people.
- Ability to work effectively both independently, and as part of a team.
- Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to discuss complex ideas with a variety of audiences.
- Must be able to obtain a US government clearance if required.
Nice to Have
- Experience leading collaborations with national labs, major research facilities, or government-funded consortia.
- Experience contributing to or leading large-scale, multi-year scientific programs or center-level research initiatives.
- Deep expertise in one or more QEC-relevant areas such as fault-tolerant architectures, decoding algorithms, noise characterization, or system-level performance analysis.
- Experience integrating quantum or HPC research with real hardware systems, simulators, or large-scale testbeds.
- Strong network across the quantum computing research landscape and comfort representing an organization at senior technical forums.
- Track record of securing significant external funding through competitive grants or program-level proposals.
- Experience mentoring, coaching, or supervising early-career researchers or research engineers.
Team & Environment
Operate across Riverlane’s highly collaborative Research and Engineering organization, working alongside mathematicians, physicists, computer scientists, and hardware and software engineers.
Benefits & Compensation
- Compensation: $180,000 to $245,000 depending on experience, plus equity so that our team can share in the long-term success of Riverlane.
- Annual bonus plan
- Private medical insurance
- Life insurance
- 401K contributions
- Equity
- Generous paid time off
- Enhanced family leave
- Training and conference budgets
Work Mode
This role is hybrid and located in Boston, MA, US.
Everyone is welcome at Riverlane. We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from eligible and suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender reassignment, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity/paternity.
