Lead Research Scientist, Quantum Computing

About the Organization

Visa is a global payments technology company that enables transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions, and public-sector organizations in more than 200 countries and territories. The company is focused on making it easier for people and businesses everywhere to pay and get paid.

At Visa, you will have the chance to work on meaningful, large-scale problems, build your expertise, and see your work influence people around the world.

Role Overview

Visa Research carries out both applied and foundational research to advance technologies that matter to the future of commerce, security, and payments at global scale. The team works with Visa’s technology and product groups, global business units, universities, industry partners, and government bodies to explore and develop new capabilities with broad impact.

Visa is launching a Quantum Computing Center of Excellence in Singapore to strengthen its long-term work in quantum information science and its applications to payments, security, and financial systems. The Singapore center is intended to become a key hub for advanced research, technical innovation, and ecosystem collaboration in a major research market.

As a Lead Research Scientist focused on Quantum Computing, you will join a growing research team advancing Visa’s agenda in quantum information and computation. The position is suited to scientists who want to shape new capabilities from the ground up while contributing to high-impact work in a fast-evolving field.

Your research will focus on quantum computing topics relevant to financial services, payments, and security. Depending on your background, this may include quantum algorithms, optimization, machine learning, cryptography, simulation, or closely related areas. You will work closely with other researchers and cross-functional partners, help build technical prototypes, publish scientific work, and contribute to establishing the Singapore center as an important part of Visa’s worldwide research network.

This role offers an opportunity for an early-career researcher to work on challenging problems where advanced science, computation, and practical applications meet.

Responsibilities

• Perform both applied and fundamental research in quantum information and quantum computation, especially for finance, payments, security, and connected use cases.
• Develop, code, and assess quantum algorithms, models, and prototypes that push current capabilities forward.
• Take research projects from initial concept through experimentation, data analysis, and interpretation of results.
• Work with researchers across Visa Research and partner with teams in technology, product, and business when needed.
• Keep up with new developments in quantum computing and related fields, and evaluate how they may support Visa’s research priorities.
• Share research through leading journals, conferences, and internal or external presentations.
• Help strengthen the team culture by supporting interns and contributing to knowledge exchange within the group.
• Engage with academic, industry, and broader ecosystem partners when collaboration opportunities arise.

Qualifications

Basic qualification: Candidates should have 5+ years of relevant experience with a bachelor’s degree, or at least 2 years of experience with an advanced degree such as a master’s, MBA, JD, or MD, or 0 years of experience with a PhD, or 8+ years of relevant work experience.

Preferred profile: A PhD in Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline is preferred. Applicants should have a strong grounding in quantum computing, quantum information, or a closely related area, along with 1–2 years of post-PhD or equivalent research experience in academia, industry, or government research.

Experience in one or more of these areas is especially relevant: quantum algorithms, quantum optimization, quantum machine learning, quantum cryptography, quantum simulation, quantum error correction, quantum information theory, or other quantum information science topics applicable to financial or enterprise settings.

Interest in applying quantum computing to finance, payments, security, or related domains is important. Candidates should also have experience implementing and evaluating algorithms through simulation and, where relevant, on quantum hardware.

Strong programming and software development skills are needed, including coding, debugging, and version control. The role also calls for strong analytical and problem-solving ability, clear written and verbal communication, and the ability to explain technical work effectively.

Successful candidates should be able to work well in a collaborative research environment and have a publication record in reputable journals or conferences that matches their career stage.

Work Arrangement

This is a hybrid role. The number of days expected in the office will be confirmed by the hiring manager.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Visa is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status. Visa will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in line with EEOC guidelines and applicable local law.