Job Summary

Quanta is a unique proposition created to form the future of quantitative analytics, by leveraging breakthrough technologies and combining these with deep domain expertise. Quanta harnesses the latest breakthroughs in quantum and quantum inspired technologies and provides a platform with access to applications, algorithms, research and compute.

Quanta is underpinned by a platform that provides access to industry leading applications, breakthrough algorithms, cutting edge research and quantum computing hardware devices. The platform enables users to conduct their own experimentation and development, by providing access to the latest software and hardware breakthroughs in quantum technologies.

The applications developed by Quanta are built with the primary goal of delivering world class performance by leveraging the unique combination of capabilities that are accessible by the firm. These applications are built to take full advantage of the growing maturity of quantum computing hardware and ‘future proofed’ for the inflection points in the development of these technologies.

Key Responsibilities

• End to end accountability for researching, designing and implementing world class machine learning as well as quantum and quantum inspired algorithms to drive the performance in the applications.
• Responsibility for conducting deep research into the factors driving performance in the competitive classical applications in the industry and identifying / designing potential improvements, potentially using quantum and quantum inspired technologies.
• Responsibility for understanding client and industry requirements and for collaboration to drive performance enhancement.
• Providing strategic direction to the company’s research efforts and the relevant implications on the commercial areas of focus.
• Responsibility for staying on top of the latest developments in the quantum and the machine learning / AI industries.
• Responsibility for close co-ordination with CTO to ensure that algorithmic advances are appropriately implemented in the applications.
• Responsibility for authoring research papers that highlight some of the breakthroughs at Venture Name, while still protecting the IP being generated.
• Taking the lead in making patent applications and taking other IP protection measures, in collaboration with legal counsel.
• Responsibility for evaluating the technology (software and hardware) of potential partners in the quantum technology ecosystem. This includes the quantum computing hardware providers as well as middleware and software providers.
• Responsibility for tuning and optimising applications to ensure that they are performant with the back-end hardware of choice.
• Responsibility for designing and developing prototypes that showcase some of the algorithmic advances.
• Responsibility for designing and developing prototypes that showcase the power of the hardware devices and the tools available on the platform.
• Ensure effective communication and collaboration with other teams and strategic alignment with other C-Level executives.

Skills and Experience

• Overall 10+ years of experience in cutting edge research in the fields of computer science and quantum computing. At least 2+ years of research in a professional capacity preferred.
• Experience in tuning and optimising algorithms and applications to ensure optimal performance in real world / commercial deployments.
• Deep expertise in quantum technologies, particularly quantum algorithms as well as intimate knowledge and experience of a variety of conventional machine learning techniques.
• In particular, deep knowledge in the fields of gate-based quantum computing and algorithm development, adiabatic quantum computing and algorithm development.
• Deep knowledge across the algorithmic categories such as supervised and un-supervised machine learning, neural networks, transformers, tensor networks, quantum machine learning, quantum simulation algorithms, Fourier transforms, variational quantum algorithms, QUBOs, simulated annealing, evolutionary algorithms, multi-objective optimisation, PDEs, continuous and discrete optimisations, linear and non-linear programming, monte carlo simulations and others.
• Track record of a broad range of publications being included in high impact journals.

• Experience and domain knowledge in Financial Services, particularly trading and fraud detection highly valuable.
• Innovative problem-solver with excellent multitasking abilities, skilled in identifying, prioritising, and resolving complex issues proactively.
• Highly adaptable, responsive, and flexible to shifting priorities and urgent requests from senior management and key stakeholders.
• Proven leadership in driving operational efficiency and strategic initiatives, ensuring alignment with the company's goals and objectives.

Characteristics & Competencies

• Experience of understanding the commercial pressures of a start-up / fintech and balancing this with the drive for purely academic / scientific research and publications.
• A problem solving / ‘can-do’ approach is critical.
• Resilient character, to ensure continued leadership in the areas of research and focus.
• Structured thinker, ability to rapidly provide coherence to complexity.
• Proficient at communicating complex concepts with non-technical clients and colleagues.
• Proficient in grasping new scientific and engineering concepts, including in the field of quantum computing.
• Proficient in learning and adapting to new technology innovations
• Proficient in transforming abstract ideas into efficient and optimised solutions.
• Proven ability to build and manage effective relationships with technical counterparts in client and partner organisations.
• Able to act as a trusted advisor, strategic thought partner, confidante, and sounding board.
• Strategic thinker with executional discipline, capable of aligning to the company’s strategic vision.
• Analytical mindset with high attention to detail and operational rigor.

About Standard Chartered

We're an international bank, nimble enough to act, big enough for impact. For more than 170 years, we've worked to make a positive difference for our clients, communities, and each other. We question the status quo, love a challenge and enjoy finding new opportunities to grow and do better than before. If you're looking for a career with purpose and you want to work for a bank making a difference, we want to hear from you. You can count on us to celebrate your unique talents and we can't wait to see the talents you can bring us.

Our purpose, to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, together with our brand promise, to be here for good are achieved by how we each live our valued behaviours. When you work with us, you'll see how we value difference and advocate inclusion.

Together we:

• Do the right thing and are assertive, challenge one another, and live with integrity, while putting the client at the heart of what we do
• Never settle, continuously striving to improve and innovate, keeping things simple and learning from doing well, and not so well
• Are better together, we can be ourselves, be inclusive, see more good in others, and work collectively to build for the long term

What we offer

In line with our Fair Pay Charter, we offer a competitive salary and benefits to support your mental, physical, financial and social wellbeing.

• Core bank funding for retirement savings, medical and life insurance, with flexible and voluntary benefits available in some locations.
• Time-off including annual leave, parental/maternity (20 weeks), sabbatical (12 months maximum) and volunteering leave (3 days), along with minimum global standards for annual and public holiday, which is combined to 30 days minimum.
• Flexible working options based around home and office locations, with flexible working patterns.
• Proactive wellbeing support through Unmind, a market-leading digital wellbeing platform, development courses for resilience and other human skills, global Employee Assistance Programme, sick leave, mental health first-aiders and all sorts of self-help toolkits
• A continuous learning culture to support your growth, with opportunities to reskill and upskill and access to physical, virtual and digital learning.
• Being part of an inclusive and values driven organisation, one that embraces and celebrates our unique diversity, across our teams, business functions and geographies - everyone feels respected and can realise their full potential.