Quantum Postdoctoral Researcher for 3D Cavity Quantum Hardware

Fermilab • Batavia, IL

5d • $69,800 - $92,600 • Onsite

About The Position

The Superconducting Quantum Materials and Systems Center (SQMS) at Fermilab seeks a Quantum Postdoctoral Research Associate – 3D Cavity Quantum Hardware to support critical research activities within the Superconducting Quantum Materials and Systems (SQMS) Center. This position focuses on the development of advanced superconducting quantum hardware, with particular emphasis on 3D cavity-based quantum processing units and ultra-coherent superconducting cavity platforms for quantum information processing. Under general direction and in consultation with senior scientists, the successful candidate will conduct independent research aligned with the Laboratory’s mission and contribute to the development, measurement, control, and integration of next-generation quantum systems. This role will help maintain technical continuity, accelerate progress on key SQMS deliverables, and strengthen Fermilab’s leadership in superconducting quantum technologies, modular quantum architectures, and quantum sensing applications.

Requirements

• Appointees usually have recently completed their PhD (often within the last two years) or are expected to complete it within the current calendar year.
• Demonstrated potential to make contributions to the Laboratory that will subsequently qualify them for appointment as an Associate Scientist.
• Strong background in quantum mechanics and experimental physics, applied physics, electrical engineering, or related areas.
• Knowledge of superconducting quantum circuits, microwave resonators, circuit QED, quantum measurement, or related quantum hardware platforms.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a highly collaborative research environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively through written reports, presentations, publications, and technical discussions.
• Self-motivation, scientific curiosity, and interest in developing next-generation superconducting quantum hardware platforms.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with superconducting qubits, 3D cavities, microwave resonators, bosonic modes, qudits, tunable couplers, or related superconducting quantum systems.
• Experience with cryogenic microwave measurements, quantum control, microwave electronics, RF engineering, or low-temperature experimental techniques.
• Experience with multimode quantum control, bosonic encoding, qudit operations, error-detected operations, or quantum processor calibration.
• Experience with device modeling, electromagnetic simulation, circuit simulation, Hamiltonian modeling, or numerical analysis of quantum systems.
• Experience with experimental automation, calibration, data acquisition, and data analysis.
• Interest in the intersection of superconducting quantum computing, bosonic quantum information, modular quantum architectures, and HEP-relevant quantum applications.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research in superconducting quantum hardware, with emphasis on 3D cavity-based quantum processing units, bosonic modes, qudits, and circuit QED systems.
• Design, simulate, build, install, commission, and characterize new or upgraded elements of superconducting quantum experiments, including ultra-coherent 3D cavities, ancilla qubits, tunable couplers, microwave control and readout hardware, filters, interconnects, and cryogenic measurement systems.
• Develop and implement experimental techniques for quantum control, readout, calibration, and characterization of multimode superconducting quantum systems.
• Contribute to the development of large-dimensional bosonic qudits and multimode quantum processors for quantum computing, HEP-relevant quantum simulation, and hardware-efficient quantum information processing.
• Participate in data acquisition, conduct analysis, develop models and simulations, and present/publish outcomes at conferences and/or in refereed journals.
• Contribute to research directions relevant to bosonic quantum information processing, modular superconducting quantum architectures, error-detected or error-corrected operations, quantum interconnects, and related quantum sensing applications.
• Work collaboratively with Fermilab scientists, engineers, technicians, students, postdocs, and external collaborators across the SQMS Center.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.
• Abide by and is responsible for performing all duties in accordance with all environmental, health and safety regulations and practices pertinent to this position.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision and Flexible Spending Account
• Paid time-off
• Life insurance
• Short and Long-term disability insurance
• Retirement benefits
• Onsite day care

What This Job Offers

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