About the role#
As a research intern, you will join a team of scientists and engineers working on the foundations of quantum-centric supercomputing. You will focus on the design, analysis, and benchmarking of quantum and hybrid quantum-classical algorithms for optimization and scientific computing. This role involves exploring how AI and agentic systems can accelerate algorithm discovery and experiment orchestration. You will have access to utility-scale quantum computers, the Qiskit software stack, and classical computing infrastructure.
What you'll do#
- Design, implement, and analyze quantum, classical, and hybrid algorithms for optimization problems.
- Develop and benchmark quantum optimization approaches on IBM quantum hardware and simulators.
- Contribute to quantum-centric supercomputing workflows that partition tasks across QPUs and classical HPC resources.
- Establish performance baselines against state-of-the-art classical solvers.
- Perform complexity, scaling, and resource-estimation analyses.
- Explore the use of AI and agentic systems for algorithm design, hyperparameter search, and automated experiment orchestration.
- Implement research prototypes in Python and contribute to technical reports, papers, patent disclosures, and open-source projects.
What you'll need#
- Solid working knowledge of quantum information and algorithms, including practical experience with Qiskit.
- Strong mathematical and algorithmic foundations in areas like linear algebra, probability, and computational complexity.
- Programming proficiency in Python, specifically with NumPy and SciPy.
- Demonstrated research ability to frame problems, run experiments, and communicate results.
- Depth in one or more areas such as model-based optimization, data-driven optimization, machine learning, quantum-centric supercomputing, or agentic AI systems.
- Experience running experiments on real quantum hardware or using commercial optimization solvers.
- Familiarity with HPC environments, quantum error correction, or fault-tolerant algorithm design.
- Ability to write clean, reproducible, and version-controlled code.
- Fluency in English and a background in Computer Science, Mathematics, or Physics.
Location & details#
- Location: Yorktown Heights, New York, United States.
- Term: Summer 2027.
- Status: Full-time, paid internship.
- Note: Sponsorship is not provided for this position.
About IBM
IBM provides IT services and consulting to a global client base. The company develops technology solutions across areas such as cloud computing, security, analytics, and infrastructure. It operates as a public organization with more than 10,001 employees. The corporate headquarters are located in Armonk, New York.
How to get in at IBM
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