Postdoctoral Appointee - Quantum Hardware Engineering - Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories
Location: Albuquerque, USA
Posted On: 2024-12-19

About Sandia:

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation’s premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:

  • Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
  • Extraordinary co-workers
  • Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
  • Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
  • Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
  • Generous vacations, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*

World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov*These benefits vary by job classification.

What Your Job Will Be Like:

The Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies (CINT) at Sandia National Laboratories is looking for a driven Postdoctoral Appointee with expertise in fabrication, characterization, and measurement of superconducting electronics and devices. This research is heavily experimental with a primary focus on quantum hardware, i.e., superconducting qubits, resonators, couplers, and cryogenic amplifiers for applications in quantum information science.

On any given day, you may be called upon to perform the following tasks:

  • Design and fabricate nanoscale quantum devices
  • Characterize and operate superconducting electronic devices at cryogenic temperatures
  • Troubleshoot and optimize hybrid quantum devices
  • Collaborate with a diverse team, including experimentalists and theorists, with experience in quantum information science

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite.

Qualifications We Require:

  • PhD in Physics, Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related discipline within the last five years
  • Experience with micro/nanofabrication
  • Evidence of research achievements as demonstrated in the form of technical publications and presentations

Qualifications We Desire:

  • The ability to quickly learn new experimental techniques
  • Experience making effective technical presentations
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills and strong social skills
  • Experience with superconducting devices and circuits, related to both fabrication and operation
  • Experience with cryogenic measurement techniques
  • Experience working with quantum-based devices in an experimental setting
  • Experience with dilution refrigerator operation
  • Scientific programming for efficient data collection
  • The ability to collaborate in a team environment and interested in interdisciplinary research.
  • Independent vision and creativity

About Our Team:

The Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies (CINT) is a Department of Energy-funded nanoscience research facility that provides users from around the world with access to state of the art expertise and instrumentation in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment with a focus on nanoscience integration. The Quantum Materials Systems (QMS) thrust at CINT has a focus on understanding and controlling quantum effects of nanoscale materials and their integration into systems spanning multiple length scales. The QMS thrust has world-leading capabilities in synthesis, fabrication, characterization, and modeling of quantum materials, devices, and computing systems. Our synthesis capabilities range from novel 2-D materials to ultrahigh mobility quantum well structures. We also have design and fabrication capabilities for integrating superconducting Josephson-junction devices and superconducting resonator circuits into various semiconductor platforms. CINT has a state of the art cleanroom facility that permits micro- and nanoscale fabrication of quantum devices and systems, and we have a variety of characterization equipment that allows temperature-dependent measurements down to dilution refrigerator temperatures with both high- and low-frequency electrical characterization. These efforts are supported by extensive modeling capabilities that exist at both CINT and the host lab.

Posting Duration:

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of seven (7) calendar days, including the ‘posting date’. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

Security Clearance:

This position does not currently require a Department of Energy (DOE) security clearance.

Sandia will conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Furthermore, employees in New Mexico need to pass a U.S. Air Force background screen for access to Kirtland Air Force Base. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause access to be denied or terminated, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.

If hired without a clearance and it subsequently becomes necessary to obtain and maintain one for the position, or you bid on positions that require a clearance, a pre-processing background review may be conducted prior to a required federal background investigation. Applicants for a DOE security clearance need to be U.S. citizens. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Members of the workforce (MOWs) hired at Sandia who require uncleared access for greater than 179 days during their employment, are required to go through the Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) process. Access includes physical and/or cyber (logical) access, as well as remote access to any NNSA information technology (IT) systems. UPIV requirements are not applicable to individuals who require a DOE personnel security clearance for the performance of their SNL employment or to foreign nationals. The UPIV process will include the completion of a USAccess Enrollment, SF-85 (Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions) and OF-306 (Declaration of for Federal Employment). An unfavorable UPIV determination will result in immediate retrieval of the SNL issued badge, removal of cyber (logical) access and/or removal from SNL subcontract. All MOWs may appeal the unfavorable UPIV determination to DOE/NNSA immediately. If the appeal is unsuccessful, the MOW may try to go through the UPIV process one year after the decision date.

EEO:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.

NNSA Requirements for MedPEDs:

If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.

If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.

Position Information:

This postdoctoral position is a temporary position for up to one year, which may be renewed at Sandia's discretion up to five additional years. The PhD must have been conferred within five years prior to employment.

Individuals in postdoctoral positions may bid on regular Sandia positions as internal candidates, and in some cases may be converted to regular career positions during their term if warranted by ongoing operational needs, continuing availability of funds, and satisfactory job performance.

Job ID: 694640

Job Family: 92

Regular/Temporary Position: T

Full/Part-Time Status: F