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Postdoctoral Associate

Requisition Number:

61907

Location:

Boulder, Colorado

City

Boulder

State

Colorado

Employment Type:

Research Faculty

Schedule:

Full-Time

Posting Close Date:

28-Feb-2025

Date Posted:

14-Feb-2025
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Job Summary

The Postdoctoral Associate will focus on developing operational methods with quantum circuits in order to improve the performance of quantum gates, the generation and stabilization of entanglement, and/or novel methods for quantum bit (qubit) readout.  The goal is to perform experimental tests of systems made from two or more qubits and evaluate the performance of parametric coupling techniques.  The position tasks include developing theoretical and computational tools for operating quantum circuits as well as possible associated design, layout, and fabrication of quantum circuits.  The position will include research into novel circuit measurements, calibration techniques, and developing critical circuit operations for high fidelity qubit operations and measurements supported by data analysis with results prepared for publication in public domain scientific journals and/or disseminated at scientific conferences.

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Professional Research Experience Program (PREP).  NIST recognizes that its research staff may wish to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest, thus requires that such institutions must be the recipient of a PREP award.  The PREP program requires staff from a wide range of backgrounds to work on scientific research in many areas.  Employees in this position will perform technical work that underpins the scientific research of the collaboration.

The University of Colorado Boulder is committed to building a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to contributing to an inclusive campus environment. We are an Equal Opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

PREP is a special partnership between the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the University of Colorado Boulder.  PREP provides research opportunities to CU undergraduate and graduate students, as well as researchers with a Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in NIST labs to gain research experience alongside NIST scientists.
 
The particular group that needs a researcher is the Advanced Microwave Photonics Group under the Applied Physics Division at NIST.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

  • Fabricate and test superconducting quantum circuits.
  • Characterize operation of quantum circuits.
  • Develop new strategies for circuit operation that provide entanglement of 2 or more quantum bits.
  • Develop new strategies for measurement of 2 or more quantum bits.
  • Analyze and publish research findings.
  • Present results at internal meetings and international conferences.

What You Should Know

Privacy Act Statement

 

Authority:  15 U.S.C. § 278g-1(e)(1) and (e)(3) and 15 U.S.C. § 272(b) and (c)

Purpose:  The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) hosts the Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) which is designed to provide valuable laboratory experience and financial assistance to undergraduates, post-bachelor’s degree holders, graduate students, master’s degree holders, postdocs, and faculty.  

PREP is a 5-year cooperative agreement between NIST laboratories and participating PREP Universities to establish a collaborative research relationship between NIST and U.S. institutions of higher education in the following disciplines including (but may not be limited to) biochemistry, biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, engineering, electronics, materials science, mathematics, nanoscale science, neutron science, physical science, physics, and statistics.  This collection of information is needed to facilitate administrative functions of the PREP Program.

Routine Uses:  NIST will use the information collected to perform the requisite reviews of the applications to determine eligibility, and to meet programmatic requirements.  Disclosure of this information is also subject to all the published routine uses as identified in the Privacy Act System of Records Notices:  NIST-1: NIST Associates. 

Disclosure:  Furnishing this information is voluntary.  When you submit the form, you are indicating your voluntary consent for NIST to use of the information you submit for the purpose stated.

What We Can Offer

  • The salary range for this full-time Postdoctoral Associate position is $69,000 - $93,500 annually.
  • Onboarding/relocation assistance may be available, however, if within a 12-month period you exercise your right to willfully terminate your employment with the University of Colorado, you hereby agree to reimburse the department for your relocation expense.

Benefits

The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder.

Be Statements

Be ambitious. Be pioneering. Be Boulder.

What We Require

  • A PhD degree in Physics, Engineering, or a related field.

What We Would Like You to Have

  • Familiarity with low-temperature microwave electronics measurements.
  • Familiarity with superconducting circuits.
  • Familiarity with Josephson junction physics.
  • Ability to synthesize research findings for publication.
  • Familiarity with multiple programming languages (python, matlab, C, etc.).
  • Familiarity with microwave simulating software (AWR Cadence, Sonnet, HFSS).
  • Ability to develop prototypes of tools needed to analyze data. § Strong oral and written communication skills.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:
  1. Resume/CV
  2. Cover Letter
If you are selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources Department using an approved online vendor.  However, if your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit an English-translated version as an Optional document.
 
During the application process, you will need to enter contact information for a reference.  We will request the letter of recommendation immediately following your application.
 
Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until February 28, 2025.
 
Note:  Application materials will not be accepted via email.  For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Posting Contact Information

Posting Contact Name: Lisa Valencia

Posting Contact Email: recruitprep@colorado.edu