About this role
<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">Cambridge, UK | Full-time | Fixed-term, 10–12 weeks | Hybrid</p> <p>Salary: £30,000–£35,000 per annum, depending on experience, paid pro rata for the internship duration.</p> <p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">About us</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="none">Riverlane’s mission is to master quantum error correction (QEC) and unlock a new age of human progress. From advances in material and climate science, to complex chemistry simulation for new drug design, quantum computers will help humanity solve some of its most important challenges. But without QEC, the industry’s defining technical challenge, such breakthroughs can never be achieved. Riverlane is the world leader in QEC technology. QEC is a complex problem that requires a range of skills, talent and passion. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></p> <p><span class="TextRun SCXW243923852 BCX8" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW243923852 BCX8">Having raised more than $125M in funding to date to accelerate our </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW243923852 BCX8">cutting-edge</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW243923852 BCX8"> R&D in quantum error correction (QEC), Riverlane partners with many of the world’s leading quantum hardware providers and government agencies to make fault-tolerant quantum computing a reality. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW243923852 BCX8">We’re</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW243923852 BCX8"> making remarkable progress and growing fast. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW243923852 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">About the role</span></strong><strong><span data-contrast="none"> </span></strong></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Our full-time summer internships give current students in technical fields the opportunity to apply their skills and expertise in an industrial setting.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">You will join us at our head office in Cambridge, UK, for 10 to 12 weeks, working alongside talented software and hardware engineers, mathematicians, quantum information theorists and physicists who are experts in their fields.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">You will have a dedicated supervisor and work on a project designed to make the best use of your existing skills while developing your knowledge of quantum computing and quantum error correction. We will support you in producing a meaningful piece of work that you can be proud of by the end of your internship.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Previous interns have committed code to industry-standard open-source compilers, co-authored research papers and led the design of new software tools.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p> <p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">What you will do</span></strong></p> <ul> <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="23" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"> <p data-pm-slice="1 1 ["list",{"spread":false,"start":0,"end":104},"regular_list_item",{"start":0,"end":104}]">Design, develop and test software that contributes to Riverlane’s quantum error correction technology.</p> </li> </ul> <ul> <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="23" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Work closely with colleagues across software engineering, research and other technical disciplines</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":0,"335559739":0}"> </span></li> </ul> <ul> <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="23" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Explore ideas, evaluate different approaches and contribute to technical problem-solving</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":0,"335559739":0}"> </span></li> <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="23" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Communicate your work clearly through discussions, presentations and written reports</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":0,"335559739":0}"> </span></li> <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="23" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="5" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Develop your understanding of quantum computers, quantum error correction and their potential applications</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":0,"335559739":0}"> </span></li> </ul> <p data-pm-slice="1 3 []"><strong>What we need</strong></p> <ul data-spread="false"> <li> <p>You must be a current student at the time of application, studying towards a Bachelor’s degree (second year or later), Master’s degree or PhD.</p> </li> <li> <p>You must be studying Computer Science, Software Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Electronic Engineering or another related technical subject.</p> </li> <li> <p>Experience using at least one general-purpose programming language, demonstrated through coursework, personal projects or research.</p> </li> <li> <p>An understanding of core programming concepts, including data structures and algorithms.</p> </li> <li> <p>Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.</p> </li> <li> <p>Clear written and verbal communication skills.</p> </li> <li> <p>The ability to take initiative and work effectively as part of a team.</p> </li> <li> <p>An interest in applying your software skills to quantum computing; prior quantum computing knowledge or experience is not required.</p> </li> <li> <p>Availability to work full-time for 10–12 weeks.</p> </li> </ul> <p><strong>Even better if…</strong></p> <ul data-spread="false"> <li> <p>You have experience with C++ or Python, the main languages you will use during the internship.</p> </li> <li> <p>You have experience writing tests, debugging code or using version control tools such as Git.</p> </li> <li> <p>You have developed software as part of a collaborative project.</p> </li> </ul> <p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Important notes</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}"> </span></p> <ul> <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="22" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"> <p data-pm-slice="1 1 ["list",{"spread":false,"start":0,"end":206},"regular_list_item",{"start":0,"end":206}]">You must already have the right to work in the UK for the full duration of the internship. If you hold a UK student visa, please check that its conditions allow you to undertake this full-time internship.</p> </li> </ul> <ul> <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="22" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">PhD students may need to temporarily step away from their PhD to complete the internship. This may affect their right-to-work status, and applicants should check their individual circumstances</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":0,"335559739":0}"> </span></li> </ul> <ul> <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="22" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">You must be available to work full-time for 10 to 12 weeks during the summer vacation period</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":0,"335559739":0}"> </span></li> </ul> <ul> <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="22" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">You will be required to sign an agreement assigning ownership of any intellectual property produced during your internship to Riverlane</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":0,"335559739":0}"> </span></li> <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="22" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="5" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Internships are based at our head office in Cambridge, UK</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":0,"335559739":0}"> </span></li> </ul> <p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><strong>How to apply</strong></p> <p>Please upload a CV and covering letter through our careers page. Your CV should include the grades you have received so far in your degree(s). Your covering letter should explain why you are applying for the software engineering internship and what skills and experience you would bring.</p> <p><strong>Deadline</strong></p> <p>Please submit your application by <strong>Friday 6 November 2026</strong>. Interviews will be held in Cambridge, or virtually if required.</p> <p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">What can you expect from us</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Alongside a competitive salary, we offer private medical insurance, a health cash plan and life assurance, as well many other benefits.</span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">You can also expect a diverse work environment that brings together experts in many fields (including software and hardware development, quantum information theory, physics and maths) and over 25 different nationalities.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">If you have any queries, please contact </span><a ----- data-contrast="none"><span ----- data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">com</span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto">.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":259}"> Please do not send your applications to this email address, all applications should be submitted via our careers page.</span></p> <p><em><span data-contrast="auto">Everyone is welcome at Riverlane. We are an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from eligible and suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender reassignment, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity/paternity.</span></em><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><em><span data-contrast="none">Women and other underrepresented groups may be less likely to apply for a role unless they meet all or nearly all of the requirements. If this applies to you, we still encourage you to apply - you may be a great fit, even if you don’t meet every single qualification. We’d love to hear from you.</span></em><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":276}"> </span></p> <p><em><span data-contrast="auto">If you need any adjustments made to the application or selection process so you can do your best, please let us know. We will be happy to help.</span></em><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p> <p><span data-ccp-props="{}">GDPR notice: Riverlane collects and processes personal data in accordance with applicable data protection laws. If you are a European Job Applicant see the <strong><a id="OWA843b0309-1485-8922-978c-b4a29d28b8a6" class="x_x_fui-Link x_x____1q1shib x_x_f2hkw1w x_x_f3rmtva x_x_f1ewtqcl x_x_fyind8e x_x_f1k6fduh x_x_f1w7gpdv x_x_fk6fouc x_x_fjoy568 x_x_figsok6 x_x_f1s184ao x_x_f1mk8lai x_x_fnbmjn9 x_x_f1o700av x_x_f13mvf36 x_x_f1cmlufx x_x_f9n3di6 x_x_f1ids18y x_x_f1tx3yz7 x_x_f1deo86v x_x_f1eh06m1 x_x_f1iescvh x_x_fhgqx19 x_x_f1olyrje x_x_f1p93eir x_x_f1nev41a x_x_f1h8hb77 x_x_f1lqvz6u x_x_f10aw75t x_x_fsle3fq x_x_f17ae5zn x_x_OWAAutoLink" href="https://riverlane.workable.com/gdpr_policy/v1?lang=en" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1">privacy notice</a></strong> for further details.</span></p> <p> </p>