Postdoctoral Appointee – Superconducting Single-Photon Devices for Quantum Information Science

Argonne National Laboratory; Lemont (IL); On-site; USD 73,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

Argonne National Laboratory invites applications for a postdoctoral research position in experimental physics and superconducting device development, focused on multipixel single-photon camera technology and multiplexed readout systems for quantum information science.

The successful candidate will design, fabricate, and characterize superconducting devices based on high kinetic inductance materials, perform low-noise cryogenic measurements, and contribute to scalable readout architectures and

Qualifications

• Recent or soon-to-be-completed PhD in physics, electrical engineering, materials science, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience with superconducting devices or related quantum/low-temperature technologies, particularly in device design, fabrication, and/or measurement.
• Proficiency in low-noise cryogenic measurement techniques spanning millikelvin to few-kelvin temperatures.

Responsibilities

• Design and fabricate superconducting devices leveraging kinetic inductance of thin films, including microwave resonators for readout of single-photon detectors.
• Develop and characterize SNSPDs using NbN, TiN, NbTiN to achieve high detection efficiency from visible to telecom wavelengths.
• Implement scalable readout architectures for nanowire arrays and multiplexing using cryogenic switches like hTron and fTron.
• Perform low-noise cryogenic measurements to assess timing jitter, dark count rate, detection efficiency and resonator Q factors.
• Refine fabrication processes and readout circuit designs based on device characterization and simulations.
• Contribute to integrated instrument systems for solid-state single-photon emitters, including photon correlation and spectroscopy measurements.

Skills

Experimental physics

Cryogenic measurements

Low-noise measurements

Quantum optics measurements

Python data analysis

Nanofabrication

Education

PhD in physics, electrical engineering, materials science or related field

Tools

Sonnet

HFSS

LumerICAL

Python

Job description

Argonne National Laboratory invites applications for a postdoctoral research position in experimental physics and superconducting device development, focused on advancing multipixel single-photon camera technology and multiplexed readout systems for quantum information science applications. In this role, you will join a multidisciplinary team spanning several Argonne divisions and contribute to the design, fabrication, and characterization of superconducting devices based on high kinetic inductance materials. This position offers a unique opportunity to help build a new research capability with potential impact across quantum networking, communications, and computing.

Research Focus

• Design and fabricate superconducting devices that leverage the nonlinear kinetic inductance of thin superconducting films, including microwave resonators for frequency-domain multiplexed readout of single-photon detectors using kinetic inductance current sensors
• Develop and characterize superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) using high kinetic inductance materials such as NbN, TiN, and NbTiN, with the goal of achieving high detection efficiency from visible to telecom wavelengths
• Implement and evaluate scalable readout architectures for nanowire arrays, including multiplexing approaches based on superconducting cryogenic switches such as hTron and fTron
• Perform low-noise cryogenic measurements to assess device performance, including timing jitter, dark count rate, detection efficiency, and resonator quality factors
• Rapidly refine fabrication processes and readout circuit designs based on device characterization results and electromagnetic simulations
• Contribute to the development of integrated instrument systems for the characterization of solid-state single-photon emitters, including photon correlation and spectroscopy measurements

About the Team

You will become part of a highly collaborative team of physicists and engineers from Argonne’s High Energy Physics (HEP), X-ray Science (XSD), and Materials Science (MSD) divisions. Together, the team brings expertise in:

• Superconducting detector arrays
• Thin-film materials development
• Nanofabrication
• Cryogenic instrumentation
• Quantum communications
• Solid-state quantum emitter systems

This project benefits from Argonne’s world-class research infrastructure, including:

• Dilution refrigerators
• Adiabatic demagnetization refrigerators
• Low-noise DC and RF measurement systems
• Advanced cleanroom fabrication facilities, including the Center for Nanoscale Materials (CNM)

Why Join Argonne

This is an opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research at the intersection of superconducting devices, quantum photonics, and advanced instrumentation. You will work in a collaborative national laboratory environment with access to exceptional facilities, expert colleagues, and the chance to help shape technologies with broad relevance to future quantum systems.

Position Requirements

Recent or soon-to-be-completed PhD (within the last 0-5 years) in field of physics, electrical engineering, materials science, or a related field

Demonstrated experience with superconducting devices or related quantum or low-temperature technologies, particularly in device design, fabrication, and/or measurement

Proficiency in low-noise cryogenic measurement techniques spanning millikelvin to few-kelvin temperatures

Ability to model Argonne’s core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs), transition-edge sensors (TESs), or kinetic inductance detectors (KIDs)
• Experience with cleanroom microfabrication processes, including thin-film deposition (e.g., magnetron sputtering), electron-beam or optical lithography, and dry/wet etching
• Familiarity with microwave resonator design, characterization, and RF/microwave measurement techniques
• Experience with electromagnetic simulation tools such as Sonnet, Ansys HFSS, Lumerical, or similar platforms
• Experience with data acquisition, instrument control, and data analysis in Python or similar languages
• Knowledge of quantum optics measurements such as photon correlation functions or photon-number-resolved detection
• Familiarity with aspects of condensed matter and BCS superconductivity theory applicable to high kinetic inductance superconducting materials

Job Family

Postdoctoral Job Profile Postdoctoral Appointee Worker Type Long-Term (Fixed Term) Time Type Full time

Pay Range

The expected hiring range for this position is $72,879.00-$121,465.00. Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Benefits

Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package. Click here to view Argonne employee benefits!

Equal Employment Opportunity

As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation.

Nondiscrimination

Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment. Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law.

Foreign Government Restriction

Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department.

Background Check

All Argonne offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes an assessment of criminal conviction history conducted on an individualized and case-by-case basis. Please be advised that Argonne positions require upon hire (or may require in the future) for the individual be to obtain a government access authorization that involves additional background check requirements. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.

Additional Information

Interested in translating science into innovation? Build your career at Argonne. At Argonne, we view the world from a different perspective. Our scientists and engineers conduct world-class research in clean energy, the environment, technology, national security and more. We’re finding creative ways to prepare the world for a better future. To learn more about Argonne's benefits programs, amenities, and other employee programs, visit our main Careers site. To learn more about the exciting science going on at Argonne, visit our Science and Technology page. To request a reasonable accommodation or for other application support, contact us anytime at [e-mail] or 630-252-2336.