Postdoctoral Scholar – Organic Spin Qubits & EPR Spectroscopy

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory • Berkeley, CA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is hiring a Postdoctoral Scholar – Organic Spin Qubits & EPR Spectroscopy within the Molecular Foundry division. This position will support a two-year research program on correlated organic spin systems for quantum information science (QIS). The primary purpose of this project is to establish chemically tunable organic radicals as a new materials platform for quantum spin qubits, quantum sensing, and spintronic devices. The incumbent will work at the interface of molecular synthesis, thin-film integration, and advanced spin characterization to advance systems from discrete molecular spins to correlated spin arrays and prototype device architectures. This position contributes to the development of molecular quantum materials within a DOE user facility environment, leveraging the Molecular Foundry’s synthesis, nanofabrication, and quantum-characterization infrastructure.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Materials Science, Physics, or a closely related field.
• Strong background in at least one of the following areas: Organic or materials synthesis (radicals, conjugated molecules, or functional materials). Spin physics or magnetic resonance techniques. Solid-state or thin-film materials characterization.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research in a collaborative environment.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, evidenced by peer-reviewed publications.

Nice To Haves

• Proficiency in the synthesis and characterization of organic spin-bearing materials.
• Familiarity with EPR, ODMR, or related spin-coherence measurements.
• Experience with thin-film processing, nanofabrication, or device integration.
• Interest in quantum information science, quantum sensing, or spintronics.

Responsibilities

• Design, synthesize, and characterize persistent organic radical systems with controlled spin density, rigidity, and chemical functionality.
• Explore strategies for creating correlated spin arrays, utilizing techniques such as covalent linking, supramolecular assembly, and patterned nanostructures.
• Perform and analyze spin characterization measurements, including EPR and related techniques, to quantify spin lifetimes (T₁, T₂), g-tensors, and spin polarization.
• Assist in fabricating and testing prototype spintronic or quantum sensing device geometries in coordination with internal and external partners.
• Communicate results through internal presentations, peer-reviewed publications, and conference talks.
• Contribute to shared workflows, datasets, and user-accessible protocols supporting molecular QIS research at the Foundry.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees