Scientific computing and quantum software

Sid Richards

Quantum computing research engineer focused on quantum algorithms, numerical simulation, physics-driven modelling, and practical package-first PyPI libraries.

Selected work

Projects

Research-grade open-source projects spanning quantum chemistry, quantum machine learning, optimisation, photonics, benchmarking, and simulation.

Variational Quantum Algorithms for Quantum Chemistry

Modular PennyLane quantum chemistry suite with VQE, ADAPT-VQE, QSE, LR-VQE, VQD, QPE, VarQITE/VarQRTE, deterministic runs, and structured outputs.

PennyLane VQE QPE QITE Scientific Python Quantum Chemistry

Quantum Machine Learning

Reusable PennyLane QML library with VQC, regression, QCNN, quantum kernels, metric learning, classical baselines, and reproducible experiment pipelines.

PennyLane QML Scientific Python Optimization

Quantum Backend Bench

Backend-agnostic benchmarking toolkit comparing local quantum circuit simulators across Cirq, PennyLane, Braket, Qiskit Aer, CUDA-Q, pyQuil, and QuTiP.

PennyLane Cirq Braket Qiskit Aer Benchmarking Scientific Python

Portfolio Optimisation via VQE and QAOA

Quantum optimisation toolkit for binary portfolio selection and fractional allocation, with QUBO/Ising models, VQE/QAOA solvers, lambda sweeps, and efficient frontier utilities.

PennyLane VQE QAOA Optimization Finance

Quantum Singular Value Transformation

Lightweight toolkit for spectral transformations via bounded polynomials, with QSVT/QSP workflows, Chebyshev approximations, filters, inverse-like transforms, and validation references.

PennyLane QSVT QSP Quantum Algorithms Scientific Python

Dynamics of Topological Photonics

Simulation suite for nonlinear gain/loss, edge modes, and stability in non-Hermitian topological lattices including NRSSH and Diamond models, based on MSci dissertation research.

Photonics Simulation Topological Physics Numerical Methods

Shor's Algorithm Simulation

Pure-Python, matrix-based classical simulation of Shor's factoring algorithm with explicit circuit simulation, distribution-based mode, modular exponentiation, IQFT, diagnostics, and probability visualisation.

Shor Quantum Algorithms Scientific Python Simulation

Celestial Dynamics

Numerical simulation suite comparing Euler, Midpoint, Heun, RK4, and Verlet methods across projectile motion, two-body, and three-body gravitational systems.

R Simulation Physics Numerical Methods

Published packages

Packages

Installable packages published to PyPI, with live package metadata badges and direct install commands.

qsvt-pennylane

qsvt-pennylane PyPI version qsvt-pennylane supported Python versions qsvt-pennylane license
pip install qsvt-pennylane PyPI

vqe-pennylane

vqe-pennylane PyPI version vqe-pennylane supported Python versions vqe-pennylane license
pip install vqe-pennylane PyPI

qml-pennylane

qml-pennylane PyPI version qml-pennylane supported Python versions qml-pennylane license
pip install qml-pennylane PyPI

vqe-portfolio

vqe-portfolio PyPI version vqe-portfolio supported Python versions vqe-portfolio license
pip install vqe-portfolio PyPI

quantum-backend-bench

quantum-backend-bench PyPI version quantum-backend-bench supported Python versions quantum-backend-bench license
pip install quantum-backend-bench PyPI

dynamics-of-topological-photonics

dynamics-of-topological-photonics PyPI version dynamics-of-topological-photonics supported Python versions dynamics-of-topological-photonics license
pip install dynamics-of-topological-photonics PyPI

shors-algorithm-simulation

shors-algorithm-simulation PyPI version shors-algorithm-simulation supported Python versions shors-algorithm-simulation license
pip install shors-algorithm-simulation PyPI

About

Research software with a physics backbone

Sid Richards is a quantum computing research engineer with a First Class MSci in Theoretical Physics and Mathematics from Lancaster University. His work spans quantum chemistry, quantum error mitigation, classical simulations of quantum algorithms, photonics, numerical methods, and applied optimisation, with an emphasis on practical package-first libraries.

He builds modular, reproducible scientific software with clear package interfaces, CLI/API workflows, and practical bridges between algorithm research and usable developer tools.

He is currently in Sydney, Australia on a Working Holiday Visa, subclass 417, working in home automation.

Former data analyst experience includes workflow automation, analytical pipeline development, and data-driven decision support.

Contact and support

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