Introduction

At IBM Quantum, our mission is to bring useful quantum computing to the world by advancing quantum hardware, software, and algorithms. This internship provides an opportunity to contribute to research at the intersection of quantum algorithms, quantum software, and quantum hardware.

The intern will work with researchers and engineers to develop, implement, and evaluate quantum algorithms for challenging problems in areas such as chemistry, materials science, optimization, and quantum machine learning. The work will involve using Qiskit and IBM Quantum systems to design experiments, benchmark algorithms, investigate scalability, and explore techniques for improving performance on current quantum processors.

This is a research-oriented internship intended for a highly motivated graduate student who is interested in translating advances in quantum computing into practical demonstrations and scientific results. The intern will have opportunities to contribute to research prototypes, technical publications, and collaborations across IBM Quantum.

Your role and responsibilities

As a Quantum Algorithm Engineer Intern, you will contribute to research and development of quantum algorithms and their implementation on near-term quantum computers. You will work at the intersection of quantum algorithms, quantum software, and quantum hardware, with opportunities to explore applications in areas such as chemistry, materials science, optimization, and quantum machine learning.

The intern will work closely with quantum researchers and engineers to investigate algorithmic approaches, implement and benchmark quantum circuits, and evaluate their performance using both classical simulation and real quantum processors. The position will provide an opportunity to contribute to research prototypes, technical demonstrations, and scientific publications.

Key responsibilities include:

1. Research and implement quantum algorithms for practical scientific and computational problems.
2. Develop and optimize quantum circuits using Qiskit and the IBM Quantum software stack.
3. Execute experiments on real quantum processors and analyze experimental results.
4. Investigate techniques for improving circuit performance, including transpilation, circuit optimization, error suppression, and error mitigation.
5. Benchmark quantum algorithms using appropriate classical baselines and simulation methods.
6. Analyze the scalability and computational requirements of quantum algorithms and identify potential bottlenecks.
7. Contribute to research prototypes, technical demonstrations, and software implementations.
8. Collaborate with researchers and engineers across quantum algorithms, software, and applications.

Required education

Master's Degree

Preferred education

Doctorate Degree

Required technical and professional expertise

1. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. or Master's degree in Physics, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mathematics, or a closely related field, with research focused on quantum computing or a closely related area.
2. Strong understanding of fundamental concepts in quantum computing, quantum information, and quantum algorithms.
3. Hands-on experience implementing quantum algorithms using Python and at least one quantum computing SDK, preferably Qiskit.
4. Experience with numerical computing and scientific programming in Python, including commonly used scientific computing libraries.
5. Ability to independently formulate technical problems, design experiments, analyze results, and communicate conclusions.
6. Experience conducting academic or industrial research, preferably with research publications or conference contributions.
7. Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
8. Ability to work collaboratively in a research and engineering environment.

Preferred technical and professional experience

1. Experience executing quantum algorithms on real quantum processors.
2. Familiarity with the IBM Quantum platform, Qiskit Runtime, and Qiskit workflows.
3. Experience with quantum circuit optimization, transpilation, error suppression, or error mitigation.
4. Knowledge of variational quantum algorithms, quantum simulation, quantum chemistry, quantum optimization, or quantum machine learning.
5. Experience benchmarking quantum algorithms against classical methods or simulators.
6. Familiarity with tensor-network methods, MPS simulation, stabilizer simulation, or other approaches for assessing classical simulability of quantum circuits.
7. Experience with HPC or hybrid quantum-classical computing workflows.
8. Familiarity with software engineering practices such as Git, testing, documentation, and reproducible research.
9. Demonstrated ability to work across disciplinary boundaries and communicate technical concepts to researchers and engineers from different backgrounds.

ABOUT BUSINESS UNIT

IBM Research is the organic growth engine of IBM and an innovation engine for our customers and partners. As part of this mission, IBM Research anticipates and examines 'What's Next in Computing' to ultimately create and integrate the technologies the world relies upon to solve big challenges and unlock new opportunities. We create and pioneer new markets for IBM, our partners and customers as exemplified in our ongoing quest to reach practical and large-scale quantum computing. Across IBM Research, we realize the power and potential to accelerate discovery with our partners and clients by combining the power of high performance computing, AI, and Quantum, all integrated through the hybrid cloud.

YOUR LIFE @ IBM

In a world where technology never stands still, we understand that, dedication to our clients success, innovation that matters, and trust and personal responsibility in all our relationships, lives in what we do as IBMers as we strive to be the catalyst that makes the world work better.

Being an IBMer means you'll be able to learn and develop yourself and your career, you'll be encouraged to be courageous and experiment everyday, all whilst having continuous trust and support in an environment where everyone can thrive whatever their personal or professional background.

Our IBMers are growth minded, always staying curious, open to feedback and learning new information and skills to constantly transform themselves and our company. They are trusted to provide on-going feedback to help other IBMers grow, as well as collaborate with colleagues keeping in mind a team focused approach to include different perspectives to drive exceptional outcomes for our customers. The courage our IBMers have to make critical decisions everyday is essential to IBM becoming the catalyst for progress, always embracing challenges with resources they have to hand, a can-do attitude and always striving for an outcome focused approach within everything that they do.

Are you ready to be an IBMer?

ABOUT IBM

IBM's greatest invention is the IBMer. We believe that through the application of intelligence, reason and science, we can improve business, society and the human condition, bringing the power of an open hybrid cloud and AI strategy to life for our clients and partners around the world.

Restlessly reinventing since 1911, we are not only one of the largest corporate organizations in the world, we're also one of the biggest technology and consulting employers, with many of the Fortune 500 companies relying on the IBM Cloud to run their business.

At IBM, we pride ourselves on being an early adopter of artificial intelligence, quantum computing and blockchain. Now it's time for you to join us on our journey to being a responsible technology innovator and a force for good in the world.

IBM is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, or other characteristics protected by the applicable law. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.

OTHER RELEVANT JOB DETAILS

Supplemental 1 employees may be eligible for up to 8 paid holidays, minimum of 56 hours paid sick time and the IBM Employee Stock Purchase Plan. IBM offers paid family medical leave and disability benefits to eligible employees where required by applicable law. This position was posted on the date cited in the key job details section and is anticipated to remain posted for 15 days from this date or less if not needed to fill the role. We consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable law.

The compensation range and benefits for this position are based on a full-time schedule for a full calendar year. The salary will vary depending on your job-related skills, experience and location. Pay increment and frequency of pay will be in accordance with employment classification and applicable laws. For part time roles, your compensation and benefits will be adjusted to reflect your hours. Benefits may be pro-rated for those who start working during the calendar year.

Job Title

Quantum Algorithms Engineer Intern 2027

Date posted

28-Sep-2026

Job ID

133789

City / Township / Village

Yorktown Heights, Cambridge

State / Province

New York, Massachusetts

Country

United States

Work arrangement

Onsite

Area of work

Research

Employment type

Co-Op (Fixed Term)

Contract type

Internship

Projected Minimum Salary per year

81,840.00

Projected Maximum Salary per year

163,680.00

Position type

Internship

Travel required

No Travel

Company

(0147) International Business Machines Corporation

Shift

General (daytime)

Is this role a commissionable/sales incentive based position?

No