Postdoctoral Research Associate - Physics

Washington University in St. Louis•Goodwell, OK

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Astrophysics, Particle Astrophysics, and Space Sciences group of the Department of Physics at WashU in St. Louis invites applications for a postdoctoral position, for a negotiable start around September 6, 2026. The appointment is expected to be up to 2 years with subsequent year-to-year extension depending on performance and funding. The postdoc will work in the group of Prof. Karthik Ramanathan, primarily on the development of novel superconducting detectors for particle physics applications. These include qubit-based detectors (QPDs/SQUATs) and Kinetic Inductance Detectors (KIDs). The project scope is expected to run the gamut from design to on-site nano-fabrication to device testing in the group’s dilution refrigerator, along with analyzing collected data. There is scope for the postdoc to define their own additional sub-projects – e.g., developing new sub-eV energy calibration techniques – and also interface with a larger experimental collaboration.

Requirements

Ph.D., M.D. Or Equivalent Terminal Or Doctoral Degree.
Ph.D. in physics (or related field) prior to starting is essential.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience with superconducting device design.
Previous experience with cryogenics.
Previous experience with nanofabrication.
QIS backgrounds (e.g., working with superconducting transmons) are highly encouraged to apply given an expected transferable skillset.

Responsibilities

Design of novel superconducting detectors for particle physics applications.
On-site nano-fabrication of devices.
Device testing in the group’s dilution refrigerator.
Analyzing collected data.
Defining and developing new sub-projects, such as new sub-eV energy calibration techniques.
Interfacing with a larger experimental collaboration.