Head of Theory & Applications

About the role

As Head of Theory & Applications at C12, you will lead the Theory & Applications team covering hardware modeling, quantum error correction, and quantum algorithms for industrial use. You will define the theory roadmap, align research with hardware development, and drive collaborations with academia and industry.

Key responsibilities

• Define and drive the company’s theory roadmap, aligning it with hardware development, business priorities and industrial quantum advantage opportunities.
• Strengthen the error‑correction strategy, from code benchmarking to implementation and fault‑tolerance planning.
• Drive co‑design efforts between hardware and theory teams to define scalable quantum architectures and long‑term scalability strategies.
• Recruit, mentor and structure the growing theory team.
• Establish collaborations with academic and research partners, enhancing the company’s scientific visibility.
• Prioritize research directions and resources by balancing scientific ambition, hardware feasibility and business impact.

Required profile

• Strong background in quantum computing with expertise in quantum error correction or quantum algorithms.
• Broad understanding of the quantum computing stack and ability to engage across theory and hardware domains.
• Architecture‑level understanding of scalable, fault‑tolerant quantum computing.
• Demonstrated scientific leadership with the ability to articulate vision and drive execution.
• Ability to connect theoretical developments with experimental and hardware constraints.
• Experience leading or mentoring research teams (highly appreciated).
• Experience in startups or fast‑paced private‑sector environments (highly appreciated).

Required skills

• Quantum Error Correction
• Quantum Algorithms
• Hardware Modeling
• Scalable Quantum Architecture
• Fault‑Tolerant Quantum Computing