Research Associate - Quantum Device Fabrication

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory • Berkeley, CA

11d • $29 - $45 • Onsite

About The Position

The Molecular Foundry at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is hiring a Research Associate to support its quantum research program through hands-on fabrication and characterization of superconducting devices. Working alongside experienced researchers, the associate will use advanced cleanroom equipment, help refine qubit fabrication processes, conduct experimental measurements, and contribute to research advancing quantum technologies. This is an opportunity for an early-career technical professional to develop specialized nanofabrication skills in a collaborative national laboratory environment.

The Molecular Foundry is a U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science user facility providing researchers worldwide with access to nanoscale science expertise and instrumentation. This position is part-time at 20 hours per week, onsite at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, California. It is a one-year term appointment, with possible extension or conversion to a career appointment depending on satisfactory performance, continued funding, and operational needs. The role is union represented and subject to a background check. Candidates must be eligible to work in the U.S. at the time of hire. Priority consideration is given to applications submitted by November 17, 2026; applications will be accepted until the posting is removed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in physics, engineering, materials science, or a related field preferred, or equivalent relevant experience.
• At least 1 year of hands-on experience in a research, laboratory, cleanroom, or related technical environment.
• Hands-on experience working in a cleanroom environment.
• Familiarity with e-beam evaporation, SEM, lithography, and chemical bench processing.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a collaborative research or laboratory environment.
• Must be eligible to work in the U.S. at the time of hire.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with cryogenic measurement systems.
• Familiarity with experimental data collection and analysis using Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, or similar scientific tools.

Responsibilities

• Perform day-to-day fabrication of superconducting devices in support of the Foundry's quantum program.
• Support development and refinement of recipe workflows for qubit fabrication.
• Use cleanroom tools, including e-beam evaporators, scanning electron microscopes, lithography systems, and wet chemical benches.
• Assist with cryogenic characterization using a PPMS and dilution refrigerator to measure superconducting device performance metrics.
• Maintain accurate experimental records, sample tracking, and process documentation to support reproducibility across fabrication runs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level