Development of Single Cooper Pair Boxes for Quantum Computing and Photo-detection

ORAU; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

ORAU is offering a unique research opportunity through the NASA Postdoctoral Program focused on quantum systems at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. This competitive fellowship, lasting one to three years, aims to advance NASA's missions in various science fields.

Candidates will work on developing quantum bits and expand their skills in microfabrication and RF techniques. U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and specific visa holders are encouraged to apply.

Qualifications

• Eligibility open to U.S. Citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents, and other specific visa holders.
• Completing a research proposal, submitting three letters of recommendation, and providing official doctoral transcripts.

Responsibilities

• Engage in ongoing NASA research projects focused on quantum systems and detectors.
• Develop quantum bits needed for computational tasks and high sensitivity detectors.

Education

Doctoral Degree

Job description

Organization

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Reference Code

0044-NPP-NOV26-JPL-TechDev

How to Apply

All applications must be submitted in Zintellect. Please visit the NASA Postdoctoral Program website for application instructions and requirements: How to Apply | NASA Postdoctoral Program (orau.org).

A complete application to the NASA Postdoctoral Program includes:

• Research proposal
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official doctoral transcript documents

Application Deadline

11/1/2026 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone

Description

The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) offers unique research opportunities to highly-talented scientists to engage in ongoing NASA research projects at a NASA Center, NASA Headquarters, or at a NASA-affiliated research institute. These one- to three-year fellowships are competitive and are designed to advance NASA’s missions in space science, Earth science, aeronautics, space operations, exploration systems, and astrobiology.

Our effort is focused on studying artificial two-level quantum systems based on mesoscopic superconducting devices dubbed Single Cooper Pair Boxes. The main objective of the work is to develop quantum bits for quantum computation as required by our funding agency. The same devices can be used for exquisite photo-detection with spectral resolution from sub millimeter wavelengths to X-Rays. We are currently developing a dispersive readout based on the quantum capacitance of the Single Cooper Pair Boxes. This involves measuring the phase of the reflected RF carrier which is modulated by the quantum capacitance. We use frequency multiplexing to read out two SCBs at the same time and are looking for signs of entanglement between the two quantum bits. Candidates working in this area would receive broad training in microfabrication, RF and low-temperature techniques, including measurements in the milliKelvin range. We will be exploring the possibility of using the SCBs to read Cooper Pairs broken by radiation in a concept for a spectral resolving broadband high sensitivity detector with frequency multiplexing capabilities. This technology could fill a needed gap in JPL’s long-wavelength detector development effort by providing a detector that is both compatible with a multiplexed readout and that has enough sensitivity to be useful for medium-resolution spectroscopy from a cold space telescope, where NEP~2x10-20 is needed.

Sample publications: "Characterization of a Differential Radio-Frequency Single-Electron Transistor", J.F. Schneiderman, P. Delsing, M.D. Shaw, H.M. Bozler, and P.M. Echternach, APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS 88 (8): Art. No. 083506 FEB 20 2006, "Free Evolution of Superposition States in a Single Cooper Pair Box", A. Guillaume, J.F. Schneiderman, P. Delsing, H.M. Bozler and P.M. Echternach, PHYSICAL REVIEW B 69 (13): Art. No. 132504 APR 2004

Location

Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California

Field of Science

Technology Development

Advisors

Pierre Echternach

[e-mail]

818-393-3563

Applications with citizens from Designated Countries will not be accepted at this time, unless they are Legal Permanent Residents of the United States. A complete list of Designated Countries can be found at: https://www.nasa.gov/oiir/export-control.

Eligibility

Eligibility is currently open to:

• U.S. Citizens
• U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR)
• Foreign Nationals eligible for an Exchange Visitor J-1 visa status
• Applicants for LPR, asylees, or refugees in the U.S. at the time of application with 1) a valid EAD card and 2) I-485 or I-589 forms in pending status

Questions about this opportunity? Please email [e-mail]

Point of Contact

Mikeala

Eligibility Requirements

• Degree: Doctoral Degree.