Research Assistant/Associate in Business Model Innovation, Quantum Technologies and Productivity (Fixed Term)

Salary £33 – £46 pa Job Type Contract Work Pattern Full-time Posted 14 Aug 2026 (5 days ago) {}); if (window.mixpanel) mixpanel.track('Job Shared', { ...this.mp, method }); } }"> Share Save job Create job alert Salary £33 – £46 pa Job Type Contract Work Pattern Full-time Posted 14 Aug 2026 (5 days ago) {}); if (window.mixpanel) mixpanel.track('Job Shared', { ...this.mp, method }); } }"> Share Save job Create job alert Location: West Cambridge Applications are invited for a Research Assistant/Associate to study the implications of business model innovation on productivity resulting from the adoption of quantum technologies and related digital technologies. Quantum technologies are rapidly advancing from scientific propositions to commercial realities with the potential to transform economies and improve productivity whilst addressing society's grand challenges. For example, quantum computing is expected to solve intricate problems that are deemed impossible to solve using today's digital computers. The potential benefits include advancing health care with personalised medicine drug discovery, achieving net zero targets with new material discovery, better optimisation of manufacturing and logistics whist enhancing machine learning capabilities. Quantum communication is expected to provide a significant improvement for secure communications. Quantum sensing and imaging provides improved means of sensing hard to reach infrastructure such as below ground level or brain imaging. Quantum clocks more accurate timing for optimising and providing resilience to critical national infrastructure. The researcher will focus on making an advance to our understanding of the opportunities and challenges of business model innovation as firms experiment and learn to use quantum computing and communication technologies and sensing, imaging and timing applications. The study will involve analysis of the landscape across the UK and US in comparison with other major economies in order to build and scale up such quantum technologies. The research study will constitute interview based qualitative case analysis and workshops complemented with quantitative empirical data to enhance the research findings. Experience of working with quantum technology experts in firms, government and academia would be valuable in being able to deliver insights on this topic. The researcher will aim to provide academic and managerial insights on the business and technological aspects of quantum technologies. The Research Assistant/Associate will work within the Business Model Innovation Research Group (BMI Group) and related research groups at the Institute for Manufacturing within the Cambridge University Engineering Department and other relevant departments across the University. Applications are invited from candidates who have (or are close to obtaining) a PhD in economics, management, engineering, science or related disciplines. Applicants with industry experience are encouraged to apply. Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will be appointed at Research Assistant level, which will be amended to Research Associate once the PhD has been awarded. Salary Ranges Research Assistant: £33,002 - £35,608; Research Associate: £37,694 - £46,049 Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 12 months in the first instance. To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please visit: www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/56709. Please ensure that you upload your Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a covering letter in the Upload section of the online application. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application. Please submit your application by midnight on the closing date. If you have any questions about this vacancy, please contact Chander Velu () for queries of a technical nature related to the role or Sophie Gough () for queries related to the application process.

The researcher will study the impact of business model innovation on productivity resulting from the adoption of quantum and digital technologies. This involves conducting qualitative case analyses, workshops, and quantitative empirical research across the UK, US, and other major economies.

Candidates should possess or be close to obtaining a PhD in economics, management, engineering, science, or a related discipline. Experience working with quantum technology experts in industry, government, or academia is highly valued.

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Business Model Innovation
• Quantum Computing
• Quantum Communication
• Quantum Sensing
• Qualitative Case Analysis
• Quantitative Empirical Data Analysis
• Interviewing
• Workshop Facilitation
• Economic Analysis
• Management Research

• Science & Research
• Technology
• Engineering
• Management & Leadership
• Education

Minimum education

Master’s degree

Minimum experience

2+ years

Apply by

Sep 13, 2026

Posting language

English

Working hours

40 hours per week

Seniority

Entry level