Introduction

Quantum computing represents a novel and revolutionary computational paradigm that holds the promise to solve specific problem sets not addressable by classical computers. Among the various concepts and architectures, superconducting quantum bits (qbits) seem most promising as their implementation is based on established semiconductor fabrication technologies which enabled an unprecedented scaling over the last five decades. 

Superconducting qbits require mK temperatures - as present in a dilution fridge - and silent conditions to keep the error rates as low as possible. External mechanical vibrations are therefore considered noise sources that may cause detrimental effects on the computing performance as they lead to a rise of the cooling temperature of the fridge, affect the qbit’s coherence times, error rates and leakage and can therefore severely hamper the operational stability of the entire quantum computing system. To operate such computers in data centers and to improve the computing performance, a profound understanding of all these interference pathways is required.

Your role and responsibilities

The goal of this internship is to experimentally assess external vibrations and correlate them with dilution fridge parameters and quantum computing performance. 

You will be working together with a small international IBM team on the following steps towards this goal:

•    Measure external vibrations on the quantum system’s location using high-sensitive geophones in various directions including transfer functions between floor and fridge;

•    Develop statistical tools to describe the mechanical interference patterns with the fridge; 

•    Develop algorithms to read-out quantum performance data;

•    Correlate the vibrational data sets with fridge and performance data and perform statistical analysis;

•    Determine tolerance levels and maximal allowed vibrations for specific quantum computing systems.

Required education

Bachelor's Degree

Preferred education

Master's Degree

Required technical and professional expertise

•    Currently pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, physics or a related field.

•    Basic understanding and interest in quantum computing, mechanics and statistics.

•    Experience with Matlab, Python and data visualization tools.

•    Fluent in Engish (B2 level).

•    Demonstrated problem-solving skills.

•    Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

Preferred technical and professional experience

•    Familiarity with AI tooling for research.

•    Familiarity with Git and/or Github.

•    German (B1 level)

ABOUT BUSINESS UNIT

IBM Research is the organic growth engine of IBM and an innovation engine for our customers and partners. As part of this mission, IBM Research anticipates and examines 'What's Next in Computing' to ultimately create and integrate the technologies the world relies upon to solve big challenges and unlock new opportunities. We create and pioneer new markets for IBM, our partners and customers as exemplified in our ongoing quest to reach practical and large-scale quantum computing. Across IBM Research, we realize the power and potential to accelerate discovery with our partners and clients by combining the power of high performance computing, AI, and Quantum, all integrated through the hybrid cloud.

YOUR LIFE @ IBM

In a world where technology never stands still, we understand that, dedication to our clients success, innovation that matters, and trust and personal responsibility in all our relationships, lives in what we do as IBMers as we strive to be the catalyst that makes the world work better.

Being an IBMer means you’ll be able to learn and develop yourself and your career, you’ll be encouraged to be courageous and experiment everyday, all whilst having continuous trust and support in an environment where everyone can thrive whatever their personal or professional background.

Our IBMers are growth minded, always staying curious, open to feedback and learning new information and skills to constantly transform themselves and our company. They are trusted to provide on-going feedback to help other IBMers grow, as well as collaborate with colleagues keeping in mind a team focused approach to include different perspectives to drive exceptional outcomes for our customers. The courage our IBMers have to make critical decisions everyday is essential to IBM becoming the catalyst for progress, always embracing challenges with resources they have to hand, a can-do attitude and always striving for an outcome focused approach within everything that they do.

Are you ready to be an IBMer?

ABOUT IBM

IBM’s greatest invention is the IBMer. We believe that through the application of intelligence, reason and science, we can improve business, society and the human condition, bringing the power of an open hybrid cloud and AI strategy to life for our clients and partners around the world.

Restlessly reinventing since 1911, we are not only one of the largest corporate organizations in the world, we’re also one of the biggest technology and consulting employers, with many of the Fortune 500 companies relying on the IBM Cloud to run their business. 

At IBM, we pride ourselves on being an early adopter of artificial intelligence, quantum computing and blockchain. Now it’s time for you to join us on our journey to being a responsible technology innovator and a force for good in the world.

IBM is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, or other characteristics protected by the applicable law. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.

OTHER RELEVANT JOB DETAILS

For additional information about location requirements, please discuss with the recruiter following submission of your application.

Job Title

Quantum HW Vibration Intern - 2027 (f/m/x)

Job ID

134699

City / Township / Village

Ehningen

State / Province

Baden-Wurttemberg

Country

Germany

Work arrangement

Hybrid

Area of work

Infrastructure & Technology

Employment type

Fixed Term (Fixed Term)

Position type

Internship

Travel required

Up to 40% or 2 days a week (home on weekends- based on project requirements)

Company

(0161) IBM Deutschland Research & Development GmbH

Shift

General (daytime)

Is this role a commissionable/sales incentive based position?

No