Credit: Gerd Altmann/Pixabay

The government is seeking to appoint a leader for the newly created Office for Quantum Technologies.

The specialist unit will be based in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy but will be comprised of officials from across government, according to the job advert. 

The team will lead government’s work in the field of quantum, an emerging area of tech which aims to take some of the principles of quantum mechanics – the branch of physics concerned with atomic and sub-atomic particles – and apply them to areas such as computing and encryption.

The BEIS-based unit will spearhead the implementation of policies and programmes that will be set out in the government’s national Quantum Strategy to be published shortly. BEIS clast year conducted a public consultation to information the content of the plan.

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The head of the Office for Quantum Technologies – who will earn a salary of up to £117,800 – will “also be responsible for monitoring performance against the strategy, and reappraising the approach as the technologies develop”.

The overall objective of the office will be to support the government’s aim of establishing the UK’s credentials as “a leading quantum nation”.

“The team will need to identify, build and realise the opportunities of the nascent quantum sector for the benefit of UK prosperity, security and global influence,” the advert added. “You will lead on all aspects of quantum technologies for HMG, working closely with many partners in government, academia and industry, and your personal drive, energy and credibility will be an essential element of the success of the strategy.”

Applications for the role are open until 11.55pm on 19 February.