Post Doctorate Research Associate- Quantum Computing

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

10h

About The Position

At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.
Our Science & Technology directorates include National Security, Earth and Biological Sciences, Physical and Computational Sciences, and Energy and Environment. In addition, we have an Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus.
The Physical and Computational Sciences Directorate's (PCSD’s) strengths in experimental, computational, and theoretical chemistry and materials science, together with our advanced computing, applied mathematics and data science capabilities, are central to the discovery mission we embrace at PNNL. But our most important resource is our people—experts across the range of scientific disciplines who team together to take on the biggest scientific challenges of our time.
The Advanced Computing, Mathematics, and Data Division (ACMDD) focuses on basic and applied computing research encompassing artificial intelligence, applied mathematics, computing technologies, and data and computational engineering. Our scientists and engineers apply end-to-end co-design principles to advance future energy-efficient computing systems and design the next generation of algorithms to analyze, model, understand, and control the behavior of complex systems in science, energy, and national security.
The Future Computing Technologies Group within ACMDD is seeking a Post Doctorate Research Associate in Quantum Computing. This position offers the opportunity to conduct impactful research in collaboration with leading experts at PNNL and partner institutions, including a team based in New York City.
Ideal candidates will have a strong background in one or more of the following areas:
Quantum error correction, detection, and mitigation
Deployment of quantum algorithms and protocols on near-term
Machine learning for quantum computing and simulation of quantum
Emerging quantum technologies such as neutral atom systems and erasure
Benchmarking, verification, and validation toolkit development for quantum
Quantum resource estimation for NISQ and fault-tolerant quantum computing (FTQC).
Quantum algorithm development, optimization, and circuit transpilation for NISQ and FTQC
The assignment duration is for two years

Requirements

• Candidates must have received a PhD within the past five years (60 months) or within the next 8 months from an accredited college or university.

Nice To Haves

• Ph.D. in Computer Science, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a related field
• Background in quantum error correction, detection, mitigation, algorithms, and circuit optimization
• Experience with near-term quantum hardware (e.g., IBM, IonQ, Quantinuum, Rigetti, IQM)
• Familiarity with machine learning applications in quantum computing and simulation
• Knowledge of emerging quantum technologies such as neutral atom systems or erasure qubits
• Experience with benchmarking, verification, and resource estimation for NISQ and FTQC platforms
• Proficiency in Python and quantum software frameworks (e.g., Qiskit, Cirq, PennyLane)
• Strong publication record and ability to collaborate across interdisciplinary teams

Responsibilities

• Conduct innovative research to advance the state of the art in one or more target areas, working in close collaboration with staff
• Mentor and collaborate with interns at PNNL, providing both scientific guidance and academic
• Publish research findings in leading computer architecture and physics venues such as !SCA, ASPLOS, MICRO, HPCA, PRX Quantum, Quantum, and npj Quantum Information.
• Present research progress and results during weekly team meetings and other technical
• Collaborate with interns, postdocs, and staff scientists to help expand and strengthen PNNL's quantum ecosystem and research

Benefits

• Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support.
• Employees are automatically enrolled in our company-funded pension plan and may enroll in our 401 (k) savings plan with company match.
• Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree