Quantum Postdoctoral Researcher for 3D Cavity Quantum Hardware

The expected hiring range for this position is:

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such the scope and responsibilities of the position, qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

This position can potentially offer relocation. This is a fixed term position for the period of three years.

About the Position:

The Superconducting Quantum Materials and Systems Center (SQMS) at Fermilab seeks a Quantum Postdoctoral Research Associate - 3D Cavity Quantum Hardware to support critical research activities within the Superconducting Quantum Materials and Systems (SQMS) Center. This position focuses on the development of advanced superconducting quantum hardware, with particular emphasis on 3D cavity-based quantum processing units and ultra-coherent superconducting cavity platforms for quantum information processing. Under general direction and in consultation with senior scientists, the successful candidate will conduct independent research aligned with the Laboratory’s mission and contribute to the development, measurement, control, and integration of next-generation quantum systems. This role will help maintain technical continuity, accelerate progress on key SQMS deliverables, and strengthen Fermilab’s leadership in superconducting quantum technologies, modular quantum architectures, and quantum sensing applications.

What your day-to-day as a Quantum Postdoctoral Research Associate will look like:

• Conduct research in superconducting quantum hardware, with emphasis on 3D cavity-based quantum processing units, bosonic modes, qudits, and circuit QED systems.
• Design, simulate, build, install, commission, and characterize new or upgraded elements of superconducting quantum experiments, including ultra-coherent 3D cavities, ancilla qubits, tunable couplers, microwave control and readout hardware, filters, interconnects, and cryogenic measurement systems.
• Develop and implement experimental techniques for quantum control, readout, calibration, and characterization of multimode superconducting quantum systems.
• Contribute to the development of large-dimensional bosonic qudits and multimode quantum processors for quantum computing, HEP-relevant quantum simulation, and hardware-efficient quantum information processing.
• Participate in data acquisition, conduct analysis, develop models and simulations, and present/publish outcomes at conferences and/or in refereed journals.
• Contribute to research directions relevant to bosonic quantum information processing, modular superconducting quantum architectures, error-detected or error-corrected operations, quantum interconnects, and related quantum sensing applications.
• Work collaboratively with Fermilab scientists, engineers, technicians, students, postdocs, and external collaborators across the SQMS Center.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.
• Abide by and is responsible for performing all duties in accordance with all environmental, health and safety regulations and practices pertinent to this position.

Essential Competencies and Attributes for Success:

• Appointees usually have recently completed their PhD (often within the last two years) or are expected to complete it within the current calendar year.

Applicable Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Demonstrated potential to make contributions to the Laboratory that will subsequently qualify them for appointment as an Associate Scientist.
• Strong background in quantum mechanics and experimental physics, applied physics, electrical engineering, or related areas.
• Knowledge of superconducting quantum circuits, microwave resonators, circuit QED, quantum measurement, or related quantum hardware platforms.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a highly collaborative research environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively through written reports, presentations, publications, and technical discussions.
• Self-motivation, scientific curiosity, and interest in developing next-generation superconducting quantum hardware platforms.

Additional Skills That Will Set You Apart:

• Experience with superconducting qubits, 3D cavities, microwave resonators, bosonic modes, qudits, tunable couplers, or related superconducting quantum systems.
• Experience with cryogenic microwave measurements, quantum control, microwave electronics, RF engineering, or low-temperature experimental techniques.
• Experience with multimode quantum control, bosonic encoding, qudit operations, error-detected operations, or quantum processor calibration.
• Experience with device modeling, electromagnetic simulation, circuit simulation, Hamiltonian modeling, or numerical analysis of quantum systems.
• Experience with experimental automation, calibration, data acquisition, and data analysis.
• Interest in the intersection of superconducting quantum computing, bosonic quantum information, modular quantum architectures, and HEP-relevant quantum applications.

Work Arrangement:

• Onsite: This is an onsite role, and the candidate must be able to work from our Batavia office.

Benefits/Perks:

Fermilab offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program, including:

• Medical, Dental, Vision and Flexible Spending Account
• Paid time-off
• Life insurance
• Short and Long-term disability insurance
• Retirement benefits
• Onsite day care

Why Fermilab:

Fermilab is America’s premier laboratory for particle physics and accelerator research, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. We support discovery science experiments in Illinois and locations around the world, including deep underground mines in South Dakota and Canada, mountaintops in Arizona and Chile, CERN in Europe and the South Pole.

Pre-Employment Screening:

Drug-Free Workplace & Pre-Employment Screening

Fermilab is dedicated to fostering a safe, productive and drug-free environment. An offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and drug screening.

HSPD-12

In accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) new employees are required to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a federal background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.

Foreign Government Sponsored Activities

Fermilab employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. Such individuals will be asked to disclose any participation for review by Fermilab's Office of General Counsel.

REAL-ID Requirement for access to Fermilab Campus

Fermilab requires all members of the public to produce a REAL-ID, or equivalent, to access the Fermilab Campus for interviews or career events. A list of acceptable forms of ID can be found here: https://get-connected.fnal.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/REALID-Documents.pdf. If a candidate is selected for an interview but does not possess any of the equivalent documents, we may schedule a virtual interview.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Fermilab is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, and other legally protected categories.