Quantum Information Science Postdoctoral Research Associate - Brookhaven National Laboratory

Organization Overview:

The Center for Functional Nanomaterials (CFN) at Brookhaven is a DOE-funded national scientific user facility, offering users a supported research experience with top-caliber scientists and access to state-of-the- art instrumentation. The CFN mission is advancing nanoscience through frontier fundamental research and technique development and is the nexus of a broad collaboration network. Each year, CFN staff members support the research of nearly 600 external facility users.
Three strategic nanoscience themes underlie the CFN scientific facilities: The CFN conducts research on nanomaterial synthesis by assembly designing precise architectures with targeted functionality by organizing nanoscale components. The CFN researches and applies platforms for state-of-the-art techniques for Accelerated Nanomaterial Discovery, integrating synthesis, advanced characterization, physical modeling, and computer science to iteratively explore a wide range of material parameters. The CFN develops and utilizes advanced capabilities for studies of Nanomaterials in Operando Conditions for characterizing materials and reactions at the atomic scale in real-world environments.

Position Description:

Led by BNL, the Co-design Center for Quantum Advantage (C2QA) is one of five National Quantum Information Science (QIS) Research Centers awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy to conduct basic research in QIS. The C2QA team aims to overcome the performance limitations of current-generation quantum computers by targeting three research thrusts: software and algorithms, devices, and materials. Within the materials thrust, a key task is to correlate materials analysis with quantum device characterization. In collaboration with C2QA partner institutes, new quantum materials are being developed and investigated at CFN and the National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS II), one of the newest and most advanced synchrotron facilities in the world, with the goal of controlling material properties to extend coherence time for more robust qubits.

You will participate in the team’s effort to develop new materials for superconducting qubits and establishing connections between direct material characterization and device performance. Specifically, you will actively participate in thin film material synthesis at CFN and work closely with the effort in device fabrication/characterization to complete the feedback loop. You will also contribute to materials characterization using synchrotron-based and lab-based X-ray spectroscopy/scattering/diffraction techniques at NSLS II and CFN.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• You will contribute to material synthesis/processing to improve material properties, by eliminating defects identified as source of decoherence.

• You will carry out research in the field of materials for the next generation of quantum computers, to investigate material properties using X-ray techniques and identify/isolate material defects that contribute to quantum decoherence.

• You will participate in intra-team and inter-team collaboration in correlating materials analysis with quantum device performance.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• You have a PhD in an experimental physical science or related engineering discipline.

• You have experience with thin film synthesis by vapor deposition techniques.

• You have familiarity with X-ray spectroscopy/scattering/diffraction methods, including XPS/PES, XAS, XRD.

• You have demonstrated ability to clearly present results in scientific papers and seminars.

• You have the ability to communicate and work effectively within a diverse multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional team environment.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• You have experience with superconducting materials studies.

• You have basic knowledge of electron microscopy (TEM/SEM) techniques.

• You have familiarity with scientific computing tools for data acquisition and analysis.

Other Information:

• This is a 2-year Postdoc Assignment.

• BNL policy requires that after obtaining a PhD, eligible candidates for research associate appointments may not exceed a combined total of 5 years of relevant work experience as a post- doc and/or in an R&D position, excluding time associated with family planning, military service, illness, or other life-changing events.

• Candidates must have completed all degree requirements by the commencement of the employment.

• Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. The full salary range for this position is $70000 - $80000 / year. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualifications, education and experience and considered with the internal peer group.