Quantum Systems Graduate Research Assistant - CIPHER - Spring 2027

Georgia Tech Research Institute; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 11,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) Quantum Systems (QS) Division within the CIPHER Lab is seeking a highly motivated graduate research assistant for Spring 2027 to work on applied quantum science and engineering projects, including trapped-ion quantum computing, simulation, and sensing.

Candidates are pursuing graduate study in physics, chemistry, engineering, computer science, or related fields, and should be enrolled full-time, maintain a 3.0+ GPA, and commit to 10–20 hours per week in

Qualifications

• Pursuing a graduate degree in physics, chemistry, engineering, computer science, or a related field.
• Must be enrolled full-time (12+ credit hours) during working semesters.
• 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA.
• Commit to 10–20 hours of work per week.

Responsibilities

• Assist on applied quantum science and engineering projects.
• Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team across physics, chemistry, and engineering.
• Support experimental, computational, and instrumentational tasks as needed.

Skills

Programming languages

Electronics familiarity

Optical instrumentation knowledge

Quantum theory exposure

Communication skills

Time management

Education

Graduate degree pursuit in physics/chem/engineering/CS

GPA 3.0+

Full-time enrollment 12+ credits

Job description

Overview:

The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) is the nonprofit, applied research division of the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech).Founded in 1934 as the Engineering Experiment Station, GTRI has grown to more than 2,900 employees, supporting eight laboratories in over 20 locations around the country and performing more than $940 million of problem-solving research annually for government and industry.GTRI's renowned researchers combine science, engineering, economics, policy, and technical expertise to solve complex problems for the U.S. federal government, state, and industry.

Georgia Tech's Mission and Values

Georgia Tech's mission is to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute has nine key values that are foundational to everything we do:

• 1. Students are our top priority.
• 2. We strive for excellence.
• 3. We thrive on diversity.
• 4. We celebrate collaboration.
• 5. We champion innovation.
• 6. We safeguard freedom of inquiry and expression.
• 7. We nurture the wellbeing of our community.
• 8. We act ethically.
• 9. We are responsible stewards.

Over the next decade, Georgia Tech will become an example of inclusive innovation, a leading technological research university of unmatched scale, relentlessly committed to serving the public good; breaking new ground in addressing the biggest local, national, and global challenges and opportunities of our time; making technology broadly accessible; and developing exceptional, principled leaders from all backgrounds ready to produce novel ideas and create solutions with real human impact.

Job Description

The Quantum Systems (QS) Division of the Georgia Tech Research Institute's Cybersecurity, Information Protection, and Hardware Evaluation Research (CIPHER) Lab is seeking a highly motivated graduate research assistant to work on various projects in applied quantum science and engineering for Spring 2027. Our research portfolio includes funded programs in trapped-ion quantum computing, simulation, and sensing; quantum magnetometry and electrometry; molecular data storage technology; mass spectrometry and chemical sensing; and optical communications technology. Our researchers come from diverse technical backgrounds, including physics, chemistry, engineering, optical science, mathematics, and computer science. Students from all such backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Some exposure to quantum mechanics and/or atomic and optical physics is preferred but not strictly required. General technical skills that are useful include computer programming, digital and analog electronics, and optical instrumentation. The candidate will be expected to work independently and effectively in a highly collaborative, multi-disciplinary team environment.

Required Minimum Qualifications

Graduate Research Assistant

• Pursuing a Graduate degree in physics, chemistry, engineering, computer science, or related field
• Must be enrolled full-time (12+ credit hours) during working semesters
• 3.0or higher cumulative GPA
• Commit to 10-20 hours of work per week

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in 1 or more programming languages
• Some familiarity with analog and/or digital electronics
• Exposure through coursework or research to optical instrumentation, atomic physics, and/or quantum theory
• Ability to clearly communicate technical ideas
• Ability to manage one’s own time and tasking within a collaborative team environment

Hours per Week

10-20 hours per week

U.S. Citizenship Requirements

None

Clearance Type Required

None

Housing and Relocation

Housing and relocation assistance are not available for this position.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for all. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, Georgia Tech provides equal opportunity to all faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including applicants for admission and/or employment, contractors, volunteers, and participants in institutional programs, activities, and services. Georgia Tech complies with all applicable laws and regulations governing equal opportunity in the workplace and in educational activities.

Georgia Tech prohibits discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, on the basis of race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or veteran status in its programs, activities, employment, and admissions. This prohibition applies to faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including affiliates, invitees, and guests. Further, Georgia Tech prohibits citizenship status, immigration status, and national origin discrimination in hiring, firing, and recruitment, except where such restrictions are required in order to comply with law, regulation, executive order, or Attorney General directive, or where such restrictions are required by Federal, State, or local government contract.

USG Core Values Statement

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.