Postdoctoral Research Associate in Infrared Materials Science for Quantum Information Applications

About the position

Working as a part of the Materials Thrust inside the Co-design Center for Quantum Advantage (C2QA), the successful applicant will undertake infrared studies of materials using both synchrotron and conventional lab sources at NSLS-II to help in the characterization, design, and advancement of the materials used in Qubit fabrication. Qubits are highly prone to errors because of interactions with their environment as well as defects in the qubit materials. The successful applicant will work with researchers at NSLS-II, the Center for Functional Nanomaterials (CFN), and other partner institutions within C2QA to characterize these qubit materials using infrared spectroscopic techniques. Other material systems exhibiting novel quantum phenomena and having potential for devices and other information technology will be of interest as well.

Responsibilities

• Spearhead a focused effort to enable cutting-edge infrared and terahertz (THz) methods and analytical tools.These tools are expected to include both far-field and near-field (nanospectroscopic) techniques and instruments.

• Develop methods to collect & analyze data and correlate measurements of transport dynamics and defect excitations in materials with their potential Qubit performance.

• Collaborate with a wide range of researchers across a variety of disciplines, including physics, chemistry, materials science & engineering - within BNL as well as externally.

• Publish and present the results of these studies to the scientific community.

Requirements

• A Ph.D. degree in the Physical Sciences (Physics/Chemistry), Materials Science, or a closely related field.

• Experience in mid- and far-infrared (THz) spectroscopic techniques including FTIR or THz-TDS for materials at temperatures from ambient to 4K and below.

• Demonstrated record of scientific contribution through publications and talks in related fields.

• Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse, discipline-spanning team of scientists and engineers.

• POST-DOC Candidates must have received a Ph.D. by the commencement of employment.

• BNL policy requires that after obtaining their PhD, eligible candidates for research associate appointments may not exceed a combined total of 5 years of relevant work experience as a post-doc and/or in an R&D position, excluding time associated with family planning, military service, illness or other life-changing events.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with FTIR spectroscopy of solids, including superconductors as well as oxide materials.

• Experience with surface sensitive infrared techniques (grazing incidence and attenuated total reflection spectroscopies).

• Experience with atomic-force-microscopy-based nanospectroscopic methods.

• Experience in developing methods to effectively collate data from a range of experimental techniques to gain better insight into the materials under investigation.

• Experience with materials science or nanoscience.

Benefits

• Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation.

• Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to employee success and we believe that a comprehensive employee benefits program is an important and meaningful part of the compensation employees receive.

• Review more information at BNL | Benefits Program