Postdoctoral Research Associate - Scientific Validation of Quantum Simulations

Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Oak Ridge (TN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Retirement plans

Flexible hours

Job summary

Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate to advance the scientific validation of quantum simulations for quantum materials. You will develop, test, and benchmark simulations against experimental measurements and classical references.

The appointment integrates with the QSC and involves collaboration across disciplines, writing peer‑reviewed papers and contributing to a growing quantum‑computing ecosystem at ORNL.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in physics, applied mathematics, computer science, electrical engineering, or a related discipline.
• Familiarity with quantum computing and/or digital quantum simulation theory and practice.
• Familiarity with quantum and classical programming languages and scientific computing.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, testing, and application of rigorous approaches for the evaluation and validation of quantum simulations of quantum materials, including realistic treatment of uncertainty and systematic error across experimental, classical computing, and quantum computing workflows.
• Extend the methodology to early fault-tolerant quantum simulations and, ultimately, to classically intractable regimes, establishing the rigorous evidence needed to support credible claims of quantum advantage.
• Develop and apply physics-informed AI/ML and digital-twin capabilities to improve modeling, parameter inference, uncertainty assessment, and adaptive feedback between experiments, classical simulations, and quantum simulations.
• Collaborate with ORNL staff scientists and external collaborators.
• Write peer-reviewed scientific articles and present research findings at major scientific conferences.
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service.

Skills

Quantum computing familiarity

Digital quantum simulation theory

Scientific computing

Python

Uncertainty quantification

Education

PhD in Physics

PhD in Applied Mathematics

PhD in Computer Science

Tools

Qiskit

Cirq

Python

TensorFlow

Job description

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Postdoctoral Research Associate - Scientific Validation of Quantum Simulations

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to advance the scientific validation of quantum simulations for quantum materials. This work directly supports the five-year mission of the ORNL Quantum Science Center (QSC) to establish a quantum-accelerated computing ecosystem for scientific applications. The successful candidate will develop, test, and evaluate the scientific applications by comparing results from quantum simulations directly with experimental measurements and classical simulations of quantum materials. This work will include benchmarking simulations by using reliable classical reference calculations and extending toward more challenging regimes. As part of our team, you will work closely with ORNL staff and external collaborators in quantum computing, condensed-matter physics, neutron scattering, applied mathematics, and scientific computing.

This position resides within the Quantum Sensing and Computing Group in the Computational Sciences and Engineering Division (CSED), Computing and Computational Sciences Directorate (CCSD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Lead the development, testing, and application of rigorous approaches for the evaluation and validation of quantum simulations of quantum materials, including realistic treatment of uncertatinty and systematic error across experimental, classical computing, and quantum computing workflows.
• Extend the methodology to early fault-tolerant quantum simulations and, ultimately, to classically intractable regimes, establishing the rigorous evidence needed to support credible claims of quantum advantage.
• Develop and apply physics-informed AI/ML and digital-twin capabilities to improve modeling, parameter inference, uncertainty assessment, and adaptive feedback between experiments, classical simulations, and quantum simulations.
• Collaborate with ORNL staff scientists and external collaborators.
• Write peer-reviewed scientific articles and present research findings at major scientific conferences.
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service.

Basic Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. degree in Physics, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Familiarity with quantum computing and/or digital quantum simulation theory and practice.
• Familiarity with quantum and classical programming languages and scientific computing.

Preferred Qualifications:

We welcome candidates with strengths in several of the following areas; no single candidate is expected to bring expertise in all of them:

• Experience developing or implementing quantum algorithms for Hamiltonian simulation.
• Background in quantum materials or quantum many-body physics, particularly quantum magnetism and strongly correlated systems, as well as classical methods such as exact diagonalization, tensor networks or DMRG, and quantum Monte Carlo.
• Familiarity with inelastic neutron scattering, thermal transport, or related experimental probes, including the effects of instrumental resolution, data reduction, and observable reconstruction.
• Experience with uncertainty quantification, covariance modeling, sensitivity and robustness analysis, Bayesian inference, inverse problems, parameter estimation, or model validation.
• Experience or strong interest in scientific AI/ML, including surrogate or multi-fidelity modeling, digital twins, generative models, adaptive optimization, or autonomous experiment-simulation workflows.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory.
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs.

Special Requirements:

Applicants cannot have received their Ph.D. more than five years prior to the date of application and must complete all degree requirements before starting their appointment. The appointment length will be up to 24 months with the potential for extension. Initial appointments and extensions are subject to performance and availability of funding.

• Letters of Recommendation: Please submit three letters of reference when applying to this position. You may upload these directly to your application or have them sent to
• Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements: For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required. Additionally, ORNL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation.
• To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.
• For foreign national candidates:
• If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment.

About ORNL:

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

If you have trouble applying for a position, please email [e-mail].

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.