Internship Opportunity: Applied Quantum Optimization Research

Introduction

For nearly seven decades, the IBM Research Zurich Lab has been at the forefront of numerous scientific and technological breakthroughs, some of which have been recognized with awards as prestigious as the Nobel Prize. Building on this distinguished legacy, the Zurich Lab brings together researchers, engineers, and innovators to tackle complex challenges in computing, security, AI, quantum technology, and data systems.

Established in 1956 as IBM Research’s first hub outside of the United States, the Zurich Lab plays a central role in shaping the future of computing. This mission is further enabled by the lab’s long-running ties with academia, industry, and the broader scientific community, which have made IBM Research Zurich an important part of the Swiss and European tech landscapes.

Today, the lab is home to a uniquely interdisciplinary community that represents over 45 nationalities and spans fields from computer science and engineering to physics and mathematics. Researchers work side by side in state-of-the-art laboratories where scientific discovery delivers real-world impact and breakthrough ideas materialize into deeply influential technologies.

According to IBM Research Zurich Lab Director Alessandro Curioni, the next era of computing will be defined not by hardware or software alone, but by the algorithms that connect the two. Through a renewed collaboration with ETH Zurich, IBM Research is now shaping the foundations of a future where artificial intelligence, quantum computing and advanced algorithms converge, enabling us to tackle problems in unprecedented ways.

Your role and responsibilities

• We are offering a research internship at IBM Research Europe
• Zurich, focused on exploring novel quantum algorithms for optimization. This internship is part of an exciting initiative aimed at advancing the frontiers of science and engineering, with the goal of achieving quantum advantage for practically relevant problems in optimization.

Quantum computing has the potential to transform how we approach some of the most challenging computational problems. Our Applied Quantum Optimization Research group develops algorithms that combine quantum computing, classical computing, and AI to transform application domains such as optimization.

As an intern on our team, you will contribute to the design and analysis of quantum optimization algorithms – both theoretically and empirically – test them on IBM Quantum hardware, explore the integration of quantum computing with AI and classical computing / HPC, and help chart the course toward quantum advantage for real-world problems.

While the internship is primarily planned for the summer, we offer flexibility regarding the exact start date and duration. Please indicate your preferred research topic and ideal timing so we can tailor the internship to your background and interests.Why Join Us?

You will join a world-class research environment and collaborate closely with experienced researchers at IBM Research and have access to state-of-the-art quantum hardware and software platforms, as well as high-performance classical computing resources. Our environment encourages innovation, and we actively support interns in filing patents and publishing in top conferences and journals.

Required education

Master's Degree

Required technical and professional expertise

• Master's degree in physics, computer science, mathematics, or a related technical field (or equivalent practical experience) preferred
• Demonstrated research experience through publications, thesis projects, independent research, or open-source contributions is a plus.
• Strong programming skills (e.g., Python, C/C++, Rust)
• Experience with quantum programming frameworks (e.g., Qiskit)
• Background in one or more of the following domains: quantum information theory, quantum algorithms, (combinatorial) optimization, machine learning/AI, or computational physics
• Excellent communication skills in English
• Team-oriented, self-motivated, and able to work independently

Preferred technical and professional experience

n/a