PhD Internship 2026 - Quantum Science, US

Job Description

Job Description

Boston, MA USA | Full-time | Hybrid | Fixed-term | 3 – 6 months

About us

Riverlane’s mission is to master quantum error correction (QEC) and unlock a new age of human progress. From advances in material and climate science, to complex chemistry simulation for new drug design, quantum computers will help humanity solve some of its most important challenges. But without QEC, the industry’s defining technical challenge, such breakthroughs can never be achieved. Riverlane is the world leader in QEC technology. QEC is a complex problem that requires a range of skills, talent and passion.

We recently raised $75 million to accelerate our cutting-edge R&D. We partner with many of the world’s leading quantum computing companies and governments to accelerate their path to utility-scale quantum computers. We’re making remarkable progress and growing fast. Join us!

About the internship

Our full-time internships are designed to enable current PhD students in a quantitative field to step out of their PhD research for a short time period and translate their skills and expertise into an industrial setting. We welcome and encourage applications from people who do not have a background in quantum computing, including computer scientists, software engineers and developers. There are three areas a PhD intern can work in - you can view more details here.

As a Riverlane PhD intern in the US, you will join us at our Boston office, where you will work on the core challenges in developing the error correction stack. This work requires a wide range of backgrounds and skills, including those with backgrounds in computer science, software / embedded software engineering, verification, digital design, electrical and electronic engineering, experimental physics (and related disciplines), who also have a keen interest in working on challenging problems in quantum error correction.

Projects that an intern could work on in Boston include :

• Implementing decoders in software or on dedicated hardware
• Building tools to model noise of different qubit types
• Systems integration

Our Quantum Error Correction research team has several exciting themes. Within each key area, there will be multiple projects on which an intern could work. The details of the specific project will be tailored to make the best use of your background and skills.

Every intern will have a dedicated supervisor who will support you to try and produce a concrete output by the end of the internship e.g. a paper, product, or software tool.

Previous internship projects have been highly successful, as evidenced by interns leading contributions to various publications, for example : “Error-corrected Hadamard gate simulated at the circuit level”, G.P. Gehér, et al. (2024).

What you will do

Requirements

What we need

Important notes

How to apply

Please upload a cover letter and CV. Your cover letter should explain why you are applying for the internship and what skills and experience you can bring to the role.

Deadline

Please submit your application by Sunday 16th November 2025 . Interviews will be held in Boston, MA or via video (Teams) in late November / early December 2025 .

Stipend

Interns receive a competitive stipend. We will also pay for any expenses incurred as part of your role e.g. travel to meetings or conferences etc. We are unable to pay for travel to the office or accommodation in Boston.

Benefits

What can you expect from us

Alongside your stipend, you can expect a diverse work environment that brings together experts in many fields (including software and hardware development, quantum information theory, physics and maths) and over 20 different nationalities. We also offer free snacks and refreshments and a regular program of learning events.

If you have any queries, please contact jobs@riverlane.com.

Everyone is welcome at Riverlane. We are an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from eligible and suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender reassignment, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity / paternity.

Women and other underrepresented groups may be less likely to apply for a role unless they meet all or nearly all of the requirements.  If this applies to you, we still encourage you to apply - you may be a great fit, even if you don’t meet every single qualification. We’d love to hear from you.

If you need any adjustments made to the application or selection process so you can do your best, please let us know. We will be happy to help.