Principal Quantum Physicist — Chief Scientific Authority, LFI

About the company

LFI (La Force International) is an international quantum technology economics firm advancing industrial economics with quantum. LFI is a specialist quantum consultancy for the industrial and manufacturing sectors: working inside organisation to build understanding, accelerate adoption, and unlock the commercial potential of quantum technologies.

The lean core team, backed by a global network of contracted PhD specialists across the Americas, APAC, and EMEA.

Job Details

• Specialty Area: Quantum Physics

• Department: Technical Services

• Functional Group: Commercial

• Location: Global (Remote)

• Reports to: Managing Partner

• Engagement: Initially consulting/fractional (flexible days per week), transitioning to permanent full-time

Your job scope: 

• Serve as LFI’s chief scientific authority and a founding‑level technical leader

• Act as the translator between deep quantum physics research and client, turning advanced quantum theory into practical business solutions

• Apply quantum expertise across cryptography, optimisation, sensing, and security to support high‑value client engagements

• Begin in a flexible consulting capacity (part‑time or full‑time contract), transitioning into a permanent full‑time role as the business grows

• Become the first of up to four Principal Quantum Physicists planned in LFI’s five‑year growth strategy

Your responsibilities will involve:

• Technical Leadership & Scientific Direction

  • Senior authority across all LFI quantum service lines: vCQO, Quantum Audit, PQC Security, Hybrid Optimisation, Sensing, and MQS

  • Develop and refine LFI’s technical methodologies, frameworks, and IP for quantum readiness, optimisation, and security audits

  • Design and oversee hybrid quantum-classical optimisation pilots

• Client-Facing Advisory & Delivery

  • Define technical methods, assess new quantum technologies, and advise enterprise clients on their commercial use

  • Leads hybrid quantum-classical optimisation pilots and heads the development of LFI's Quantum Sensing service line

• Cloud Bench & Team Development

  • Recruits, onboards, and mentors Cloud Bench PhD specialists

  • Set performance standards and specialisation profiles for physicists and quantum engineers across all service lines

• Thought Leadership & IP Development

• Write and contribute to technical papers, conference presentations, and industry publications

• Support the development and improvement of LFI’s Quantum Value Stages™ methodology and Risk Radar assessment frameworks

• Quantum Sensing & Emerging Service Lines

  • Lead the design and launch of LFI’s Quantum Sensing service line

  • Identifying commercial applications of quantum in mining, advanced manufacturing and defence industries

  • Evaluate emerging quantum hardware platforms to determine the suitable recommendations for clients

• Ecosystem Engagement & Strategic Partnerships

  • Represent LFI at international conferences and trade shows as the firm’s senior technical authority

  • Build and maintain relationships with quantum hardware vendors, national labs, universities and research institutions across APAC, Americas and EMEA

Managerial Responsibilities

• At first: You are an individual contributor with dotted‑line oversight of Cloud Bench contractors supporting APAC engagements

• As the business grows: You take on direct management of up to 3 Principal Quantum Physicists and 6 Quantum Engineers/Translators

• Ongoing responsibilities:

  • Oversee work from 10+ fractional Cloud Bench specialists across projects

  • Hold budget responsibility for APAC technical delivery and Cloud Bench utilisation targets

Selection Criteria:

• Qualifications:

  • Requirement: PhD in Quantum Physics, Quantum Information Science, Quantum Computing, Applied Mathematics, or a closely related field

  • Post-doctoral research experience in quantum computing, quantum sensing, or quantum cryptography is highly desirable

  • Postgraduate qualification in cybersecurity or cryptography is highly desirable

  • Relevant certifications such as CISSP, CCSP, or vendor-specific Palo Alto Networks PCNSE credentials are advantageous

• Experience:

  • 8+ years in quantum physics research and applied/commercial quantum technology roles, with at least

    • At least 3 years in client‑facing advisory, consulting, or technical leadership

  • Proven ability to translate advanced quantum theory into commercially usable solutions for enterprise or industrial clients, with experience in at least two of the following:

    • Quantum computing, post‑quantum cryptography, quantum sensing, or hybrid optimisation

• Skills and Abilities

  • Deep expertise across multiple quantum computing paradigms (gate‑model, quantum annealing, photonic, trapped‑ion) with the ability to assess their commercial readiness for industrial use

  • Strong understanding of post‑quantum cryptographic standards and migration frameworks, including NIST PQC standards and Harvest Now, Decrypt Later (HNDL) threats

  • Proficiency with quantum software frameworks (Qiskit, Cirq, PennyLane, D‑Wave Ocean) and hybrid quantum‑classical algorithm design

  • Ability to present complex quantum concepts to C‑suite and VP‑level audiences in clear, outcome‑focused business language

  • Experience working across international markets (APAC + Americas/EMEA), with strong familiarity with the Australian research and industrial ecosystem valued

  • Published research in peer‑reviewed journals and a track record of conference presentations in quantum science or commercialisation.

  • Comfortable working independently in a lean startup environment, managing multiple concurrent client engagements and technical workstreams.

Next steps: 
To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to hr@lfiusa.com.

For more information:

Too see other opportunities and more information, visit LFI Website