There's a quiet crisis happening in quantum computing that nobody wants to talk about.
Quantum startups are desperate to hire mathematicians. They're posting job descriptions that look like they were written by a physics textbook. "Required: PhD in quantum physics, expertise in topological error correction, 5+ years of quantum algorithm development." Then they complain that the talent pool is tiny.
Of course the talent pool is tiny. They're looking for unicorns who don't exist.
I've spent the last decade recruiting in deep tech. I've placed dozens of mathematicians, physicists, and algorithm engineers at top quantum companies. And I can tell you exactly why good mathematicians are avoiding quantum startups: the jobs are badly designed, the problems are often unsolved, and the companies have zero idea how to leverage mathematical talent effectively.
The Real Problem: You're Hiring for Research, Not Engineering
