Senior Research Associate

University of Colorado System Office • Boulder, CO

108d • $110,000 - $172,000

About The Position

The Senior Research Associate will assist with designing, building, and operating the world's first optical network of superconducting quantum computers. Specifically, this project entails the design and construction of optical and microwave systems capable of generating quantum states, which are quantified with precision homodyne measurements and distributed as entanglement resources. At the nodes of the network, novel microwave-optical transduction devices are operated in a cryogenic environment to establish the vital link to the superconducting quantum processors. Through a semiconductor cleanroom fabrication and engineering effort, the transducers will be made into reliable, telecom-ready devices. The Senior Research Associate will make use of and strengthen a diverse array of skills through hands-on laboratory tasks as well as design challenges, data analysis, theoretical considerations, and strategic project planning.

Requirements

• Doctorate degree in a field of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
• Six (6)+ years experience.

Nice To Haves

• Background knowledge of quantum physics, optical physics, quantum computing, and quantum information theory.
• Experience with ultra-stable lasers, filter cavities, phase-locked loops, balanced detection, low-noise receiver design, polarization optics, and optical modulators.
• Experience with optical measurement techniques such as: coherent detection, quantum tomography, beam diagnostics, laser diagnostics, noise characterization, and statistical optics.
• Hands-on experience with semiconductor clean room fabrication tools and processes.
• Knowledge of cryogenics and dilution refrigerator operating principles is advantageous.
• Experience with classical optical communications, fiber optics, and timing synchronization is very desirable.
• Ability to code with, or learn to code with MATLAB, LabView, and Python is required.
• Familiarity with optical system design software (e.g. Zemax, Code V, OSLO) is advantageous.
• Experience with electrical circuit design, soldering, and debugging is required.
• Familiarity with opto-mechanic design, computer-aided design, and machine shop fabrication processes.
• Hands on experience with manual tasks involving precision optical and electrical assembly.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and construct resonant nonlinear systems such as optical parametric amplifiers to generate non-classical, squeezed states of light.
• Design and construct stable opto-mechanic launch systems to efficiently couple non-classic light into and out of cryogenic optical cavities.
• Implement feed-back control systems to stabilize optical frequency, phase, polarization, and mechanical motion to enable coherent optical interactions and measurements.
• Perform precision homodyne tomography of squeezed optical and microwave states to quantify their suitability for network operations and protocols.
• Perform precision optical and electrical measurements of novel transducer devices in various operating modes and interpret results.
• Learn to design and model telecom-ready opto-mechanical-electrical transducer devices for semiconductor cleanroom fabrication.
• Operate and maintain a cryogenic dilution refrigerator capable of millikelvin temperatures.
• Provide technical input to research problems which have been recognized as critical obstacles to progress in quantum networking.
• Prepare journal manuscripts, attend research conferences, and present technical results.
• Contribute to research proposals to other agency sponsors.
• Work as a member of a collaborative, interdisciplinary team.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Paid time off
• Tuition benefit
• ECO Pass

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Industry: Educational Services
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree