Reader in Quantum Computing

Grade UE09: £63,606 - £78,469 per annum

College of Science and Engineering / School of Informatics

Full-time: 35 hours per week

Open-ended (permanent) contract 

The Opportunity:

Applications are invited for an academic position in Quantum Computing to join the School of Informatics at the University of Edinburgh.

As part of a £2 billion investment programme from the UK government in Quantum Technologies, the University of Edinburgh is recruiting an academic position in Quantum Computing to deliver cutting-edge interdisciplinary research programmes on scientific and industrial applications of quantum computing. The Reader will contribute to the delivery of a £20 million UK government investment in the Quantum Advantage TurboCharger (QATCH) programme awarded to the Quantum Software Lab (QSL) established at the School of Informatics of the University of Edinburgh. 

The Reader will be recruited to lead an ambitious programme of research, co-developing activities with the QSL Management Team. The Reader will be hosted in the School of Informatics, where they will be expected to contribute to faculty activities in line with grading.

Applicants should have an outstanding track record in leading and growing a portfolio of research at the intersection of quantum computing and an application domain, a committed vision and research agenda, enthusiasm to undertake teaching and academic supervision, and potential to make a key contribution to the University through furthering the goals of the host School, College and University. We're seeking an experienced research leader who balances scientific rigor with pragmatic execution and academic impact.

Your skills and attributes for success: 

• PhD or equivalent (such as extensive industry experience), and experience as an established academic in the broad area of Computer Systems
• Ability to undertake original research, including directing a research group.
• Ability to attract research funding as an independent researcher.
• A track record of first author and/or collaborative publications in high quality journals and international conferences.
• Strong relevant research and teaching skills.
• Effective written and oral communication skills in a range of contexts (e.g. teaching, research presentations and publications).
• Ability to contribute to teaching on a range of non-Honours courses as well as in more specialist areas of machine learning.
• The ability to engage with a range of teaching mediums including online and distance learning.
• Proven ability to provide leadership for activities in delivering the School’s objectives.
• Extensive experience in research, postgraduate supervision and teaching.
• Proven ability to foster and embed a strong student-focused culture.
• Evidence of significant achievement in the relevant field through (e.g.) successful knowledge transfer from research to academic community, public, private and/or voluntary sectors and general public; the receipt of prestigious prizes and awards; membership of national and international bodies relevant to the research field.
• Experience of managing, motivating and developing research staff, students and projects.

*PhD must be completed for a Reader appointment. 

This post is full-time (35 hours per week); however, we are open to considering part-time or flexible working patterns. We are also open to considering requests for hybrid working (on a non-contractual basis) that combines a mix of remote and regular on-campus working.

View the full job description (opens in a new browser tab)

How to apply

Please include the following documents in your application:

- CV

- Cover letter

As a valued member of our team, you can expect: 

• A competitive salary. 

• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work. 

• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.

• Comprehensive Staff Benefits, including generous annual leave entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, a wide range of staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, and flexible work options. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page and use our reward calculator to discover the value of your pay and benefits. 

   

Championing equality, diversity, and inclusion

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter, and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality. 

Prior to any employment commencing with the University, you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages.

The University is able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. If successful, an international applicant requiring sponsorship to work in the UK will need to satisfy the UK Home Office’s English Language requirements and apply for and secure a Skilled Worker Visa. 

Key dates to note

The closing date for applications is 4th August 2026.

Unless stated otherwise, the closing time for applications is 11:59 pm (UK time). If you are applying from outside the UK, the closing time shown on our adverts will automatically adjust to your browser’s local time zone.

Informatics is the study of how natural and artificial systems store, process and communicate information. Research in Informatics promises to take information technology to a new level, and to place information at the heart of 21st century science, technology and society.  The School enjoys collaborations across many disciplines in the University, spanning all three College, and also participates as a strategic partner in the Alan Turing Institute and is home to a number of Centres for Doctoral Training.

The School provides a fertile environment for a wide range of studies focused on understanding computation in both artificial and natural systems. It attracts students around the world to study in our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Informatics is one of seven schools in the College of Science and Engineering, at the University of Edinburgh. It is recognised for the employability of its graduates, its contributions to entrepreneurship, and the excellence of its research. Since the first Research Assessment Exercise in 1986, Informatics at Edinburgh has consistently been assessed to have more internationally excellent and world-class research than any other submission in Computer Science and Informatics. The latest REF 2021 results have again confirmed that ours is the largest concentration of internationally excellent research in the UK. This contributes to our ranking of consistently being in the top 30 world-wide.

We aim to ensure that our culture and systems support flexible and family-friendly working and recognise and value diversity across all our staff and students. The School has an active programme offering support and professional development for all staff; providing mentoring, training, and networking opportunities.