Quantum Technology

CSIRO’s Quantum Technology priorities are a rare opportunity to access world-class research facilities and influence the development of new cutting-edge technologies in quantum sensing, quantum communication and quantum computation.

We need early to mid-career researchers and post-doctoral fellows in science and engineering to solve impossible problems and apply their skills to CSIRO’s quantum priority areas:

Quantum materials and devices

Material synthesis and characterisation. Low dimensional thin films and new nanomaterials can be engineered to exploit quantum effects to be used to develop disruptive nano-electronics with low energy consumption and novel functionalities.

Sensing and devices. Exploiting the fragility of quantum states we can use them as ultrasensitive measurement of very weak signals such as electromagnetic fields, gravity etc.

At-scale quantum device production. Working in partnership with governments, industry, end users and academia to navigate towards national-scale facilities to produce quantum devices for commercial applications into global export markets.

Emerging quantum opportunities

Quantum biology. Developing new quantum understanding and technologies and applying them to biology will help unravel the biggest fundamental questions of living systems, with importance to clean energy technologies, agricultural productivity, and to the detection and treatment of disease.

Emergent quantum phenomena. Emergent phenomena arise from effects in collections of objects in a system rather than the individual objects. In Quantum examples are superconductivity, the quantum Hall effect, and Bose-Einstein condensation. These systems provide technological opportunities in quantum computing, quantum batteries, and quantum materials.

Quantum entrepreneurship: Identifying applications and use cases for quantum technologies and transitioning these to end users in government and industry.

Social sciences: applied research into the societal and ethical aspects of the uptake of quantum technologies across multiple sectors to support responsible innovation

Quantum computing, modeling and algorithms

Quantum security: Quantum computers and quantum computation has huge potential to deliver impactful solutions to Australia and the world. Understanding the cybersecurity threats from quantum and responding with quantum-secure cryptography is crucial.

Quantum algorithms and applications. Designing innovative quantum algorithms which can tackle new and exciting complex computational problems in the fields of machine learning, data science, climate science, health and logistic optimisation problems.

Quantum software platforms. Development of hardware-agnostic software platforms with in-built capabilities of compilation, error mitigation/correction and hardware mapping will expedite the practicality of quantum computing for real-world applications.

Modeling. Armed with the right algorithms and understanding, we can use a quantum computers to model, simulate and design new and improved chemicals and materials as well as the processes used to synthesise them.

Visit for more detail on the specific capabilities, skills and expertise we are seeking. Not all roles require previous experience in a quantum related field and we are highly interested in domain experts to bring new cross-disciplinary ideas to quantum technologies.

For more information, please visit our page.

Your skills and profile:
We seek individuals with expertise from a broad range of scientific and engineering fields that can be applied to novel quantum technologies. We encourage applications from theoreticians, computer scientists, physicists, engineers, biologists, materials scientists, and entrepreneurs. Beyond your research skills, we welcome applicants with experience or interest in entrepreneurship and industry engagement to develop future applications and use cases for quantum technologies.

You will have either completed a PhD, Master of Science or Master of Engineering in a science, engineering, or research discipline relevant to Quantum Technology and have three years relevant work experience. Or, you will have completed a PhD, Master of Science or Master of Engineering qualification within the last three years or will have a doctoral or master thesis submitted prior to commencement with CSIRO. 

For Master of Science or Master of Engineering graduates you must also have equivalent levels of original and significant contributions to research and development to that expected of a new PhD graduate.

Your qualifications are essential for the current opportunities, but we are also looking for more unique skills to bring new ways of thinking, problem solving and leadership to contribute to CSIRO quantum priority areas and culture.

How we deliver progress and change are important.

An ability to recognise and exploit opportunities to carry out original, creative, and innovative research is essential. Your design thinking and desire to generate impact will drive creativity, innovation and evolve our approach to unlocking a better future for everyone.

By thinking beyond specific research projects to apply individual knowledge, skills, and expertise you will contribute to and support the national innovation system.

Leveraging a broad network and relationships within national, global, trans-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder environments and collaborating with a diverse range of stakeholders, you will challenge current approaches and develop future research.

If you are seeking purpose, want to lead with vision and contribute to new research insights and future innovations, CSIRO could be the opportunity to connect with other like minds, as a trusted advisor building shared meaning and purpose.

Location : Australia Capital Cities with a CSIRO presence.
Salary : AU$87,068k – AU$111,165k plus up to 15.4% superannuation
Tenure : 3-year term
Reference : 91618

Eligibility
Applications for this position are open to Australian/New Zealand Citizens, Australian Permanent Residents or you must either hold, or be able to obtain, a valid working visa for the duration of the specified term. Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.

Flexible Working Arrangements
We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work.