Quantum Information Science Postdoctoral Research Associate

About this role

Organization Overview: The Co-Design Center for Quantum Advantage (C2QA) at BNL coordinates a team of leading experts from national laboratories, academic institutions, and industry partners, assembled to address challenges facing scalable quantum computing and provide breakthroughs to strengthen U.S. leadership in quantum information science and technology. The C2QA scientific mission is to deliver advances in materials science and modular architectures that enable scalable, fault-tolerant quantum computing and quantum-limited sensing. The research program is organized around two large-scale focused efforts: achieving quantum advantage through coherence-driven materials design and realizing scalable, modular quantum systems. These efforts integrate vertical co-design, from materials to algorithms, and cross-platform co-design across superconducting, neutral atom, and diamond-based systems, guided by quantitative resource estimates targeting DOE-priority scientific applications.

Position Description: The Co-design Center for Quantum Advantage (C2QA) at BNL is seeking an exceptional Postdoctoral Research Associate to conduct pioneering research on materials for superconducting qubits and circuits aimed at advancing scalability in quantum information systems. In this position, you will join the team’s effort to develop new materials for superconducting qubits and establishing connections between direct material characterization and device performance. Specifically, you will lead the effort in thin film superconducting material synthesis at the Center for Functional Nanomaterials (CFN) and participate in quantum 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  techniques at National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS II) and CFN. Your work at C2QA will be supervised by CFN scientist Mingzhao Liu.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

As a postdoctoral Research Associate, you will have these roles and responsibilities:  • You will contribute to the synthesis of superconducting thin films and microfabrication of quantum devices to develop low-loss and scalable superconducting qubit technologies. 

• You will investigate superconducting materials using advanced characterization techniques, including synchrotron X-ray methods and electron microscopy, to identify and mitigate materials defects that contribute to quantum decoherence. 

• You will perform low-temperature electrical characterization and benchmarking of superconducting quantum devices, including resonators and qubits, using the BNL cryogenic measurement facility and in collaboration with C2QA partners. 

• You will correlate materials synthesis, processing, and characterization with quantum device performance to establish structure-property relationships and guide materials optimization for improved coherence, reliability, and scalability. 

• Demonstrated commitment to working safely, acting ethically, and taking personal accountability for operational excellence.

• You will collaborate with researchers across the C2QA partnership and disseminate your research through publications, conference presentations, and collaborative reports.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: • You are qualified for this Research Associate position if:

• You earned a Ph.D. in an experimental physical science or engineering discipline within the past five years; or to be completed prior to the starting date.

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

• You are 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 are well-matched to this position if: 

• You have experience with superconducting materials studies;

• You are familiar with scientific computing tools for data acquisition and analysis.

• You are experienced with nanofabrication (cleanroom), including metal deposition, lithography (electron-beam lithography and photolithography), and etching;

• You have performed low temperature electrical transport measurements;

• You have strong problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt to new experimental challenges;

Additional 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.

Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. The full salary range for this position is $71900 - $82400 / year. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification, education and experience and considered with the internal peer group.

Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to employee success and we believe that a comprehensive employee benefits program is an important and meaningful part of the compensation employees receive. Review more information at BNL | Benefits Program

Brookhaven National Laboratory requires all non-badged personnel including visitors to produce a REAL-ID or REAL-ID compliant documentation to access Brookhaven National Laboratory – view more information at  www.bnl.gov/real-id .  This is due to nationwide identification requirements for federal site access as required by the federal  REAL ID Act .   Those not in possession of a REAL ID-compliant document will not be permitted to access the site which includes access to the Laborator

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