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PREP0003112 / Postdoctoral Fellow / Measure Quasiparticle Dynamics ins Superconducting Circuits and Develop Quasiparticle Mitigation Techniques for Superconducting Circuits Including Superconducting Qubits and Quantum Sensors
PREP Research Associate
Colorado School of Mines and The National Institute of Standards (NIST) invite applications for a PREP Research Associate/Post Doctoral Fellow. This position is part of the National Institute of Standards (NIST) Professional Research Experience (PREP) program. NIST recognizes that its research staff may wish to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest, thus requires that such institutions must be the recipient of a PREP award. The PREP program requires staff from a wide range of backgrounds to work on scientific research in many areas. Employees in this position will perform technical work that underpins the scientific research of the collaboration.
The successful applicant will measure quasiparticle dynamics ins superconducting circuits and develop quasiparticle mitigation techniques for superconducting circuits including superconducting qubits and quantum sensors. The mitigation techniques could include the use of electrothermal feedback in transition-edge sensors or tunnel junction-based structures and will make use of superconducting materials, low temperatures, and quantum mechanical effects. Key goals are to increase the robustness of qubit and quantum sensor to background radiation and cosmic rays.
The Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) is a cooperative partnership between the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Colorado School of Mines (Mines). PREP provides research opportunities to Mines undergraduate and graduate students, as well as researchers with a Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in NIST labs to gain research experience alongside NIST scientists. All hires made through the NIST PREP program at Mines are employees of Colorado School of Mines.
Research Location: Physically at NIST within the Quantum Electronics Group at the Physical Measurements Lab/Quantum Sensors Division in Boulder, CO and at Colorado School of Mines campus in Golden, CO.
Project Title/Description: PREP0003112 - 687.14 Postdoctoral Scholar Measure Quasiparticle Dynamics in Superconducting Circuits and Develop Quasiparticle Mitigation Techniques for Superconducting Circuits Including Superconducting Qubits and Quantum Sensors
Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
Measure quasiparticle lifetimes at ultra-low temperatures in a variety of relevant superconducting materials.
Develop design of transition-edge sensors to protect superconducting qubits.
Explore the use of tunnel junctions to remove quasiparticles from superconducting qubits.
Measure the impact of transition-edge sensors and tunnel junction-based quasiparticle mitigation techniques on qubit coherence and lifetimes.
Regularly communicate work status to group members and disseminate results through internal and external publications and presentations. Interact with internal and external collaborators. Disseminate results through publications and presentations.
Presenting results at internal meetings, and occasional meetings with external stakeholders.
Qualifications
A PhD in Physics, Computer Science, Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related field.
4 or more years of relevant experience.
Familiarity with measurement of superconducting devices.
Familiarity with cryogenic and room-temperature microwave components.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Length of Term
Start date: 06/01/2025 or as soon as available
End date: 05/31/2027
Supervisors - Douglas Bennett (NIST) and Meenakshi Singh (Mines)
Send questions to [email protected]. Please include PREP0003112 in the subject line.
Privacy Act Statement
Authority: 15 U.S.C. § 278g-1(e)(1) and (e)(3) and 15 U.S.C. § 272(b) and (c)
Purpose: The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) hosts the Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) which is designed to provide valuable laboratory experience and financial assistance to undergraduates, post-bachelor’s degree holders, graduate students, master’s degree holders, postdocs, and faculty.
PREP is a 5-year cooperative agreement between NIST laboratories and participating PREP Universities to establish a collaborative research relationship between NIST and U.S. institutions of higher education in the following disciplines including (but may not be limited to) biochemistry, biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, engineering, electronics, materials science, mathematics, nanoscale science, neutron science, physical science, physics, and statistics. This collection of information is needed to facilitate administrative functions of the PREP Program.
Routine Uses: NIST will use the information collected to perform the requisite reviews of the applications to determine eligibility, and to meet programmatic requirements. Disclosure of this information is also subject to all the published routine uses as identified in the Privacy Act System of Records Notices: NIST-1: NIST Associates.
Disclosure: Furnishing this information is voluntary. When you submit the form, you are indicating your voluntary consent for NIST to use of the information you submit for the purpose stated.
TOTAL REWARDS
$60,000 - $70,000 annual salary rate
Mines takes into consideration a combination of candidate’s education, training and experience as well as the position’s scope and complexity, the discretion and latitude required in the role, work location, and external market and internal value when determining a salary level for potential new employees.
Colorado School of Mines offers a robust portfolio of benefits for all employees. For this role, that includes:
Flexible health and dental care options
Generous sick/vacation time: 13 paid holidays per year – including a week-long winter break for entire campus.
Fully vested retirement plan on first day of employment, with generous employer contribution
Tuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50 percent discount for dependents)
Free RTD Ecopass
All Mines employees also have access to discount programs through the State of Colorado and free tickets for Mines Athletics home games, as well as access to the state of the art Recreation Center (fitness classes and training, swimming pool and more) and equipment rentals through the Outdoor Rec Center. We are proud to have recently opened an on campus daycare center. For more details about benefits at Mines, visit mines.edu/human-resources/benefits.
HOW TO APPLY
Review of applications will begin on May 12 and continue until filled. Applicants must complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, veteran status) and upload the following:
Cover letter and CV
List of three professional references
It is the intent of Mines to comply with the applicable requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008, and their implementation rules and regulations, in support of equal opportunities for qualified applicants with disabilities. To meet this goal, Mines will make reasonable accommodations during the employment selection process and within our working environment.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on our site as a result of your disability. You can request a reasonable accommodation by contacting our Human Resources team at [email protected] or 303.273.3250 for assistance.
Successful completion of a background investigation is required for this position. Contact Kathleen Feighny in HR with any questions at [email protected].
ABOUT MINES AND GOLDEN, CO
When the world looks for answers, the world looks to Mines.
Colorado School of Mines is a top-ranked public university solving the grand challenges facing our society, particularly those related to the Earth, energy and the environment. Founded in 1874 with specialties in mining and metallurgy, Mines’ scope and mission have continually expanded to meet the needs of industry and society. Today, we are the No. 38 public university in the nation, recognized for our innovation and undergraduate teaching in science, technology engineering and math (U.S. News and World Report, 2023).
Mines graduates are change makers, boundary breakers and problem solvers. Since our earliest days, a Mines education has been and continues to be a transformational opportunity, with one of the strongest returns on investment out there for talented STEM students of all backgrounds.
At the same time, Mines faculty members are pushing their fields in new directions, whether that’s manufacturing, space resources, quantum engineering, carbon capture or more. Mines was recently classified as a R1 “Very High Activity” research institution by Carnegie, a notable feat for any university but particularly one of our size.
That size – roughly 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students – also translates to a close-knit campus community, where employees have opportunities to get involved in multiple ways, continued professional learning is valued and everyone can make an impact.
Community Alliance groups bring together employees for professional development, networking, cultural awareness and community involvement, and all Mines employees also have access to the wealth of activities happening every day on campus – nationally-renowned speakers, special events and Mines traditions like Engineering Days, just to name a few.
And don’t get us started on our hometown. We are located in the heart of Golden, Colorado --with its charming historic downtown and nearby hiking trails – and in close proximity to all that Denver and the Rocky Mountains have to offer. That includes the sunny, high-altitude climate and outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities that make the Denver area an ideal place to live, work and play.
Are you looking for an inspiring, mission-driven workplace where you can contribute to solving the world’s problems and educating the next generation of change makers? Are you an individual who values a community where our individual perspectives and experiences enrich the educational and work experience?
Look to Mines.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Colorado School of Mines is committed to equal opportunity for all persons. Mines does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), ancestry, creed, marital status, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status or current military service. Further, Mines does not retaliate against community members for filing complaints regarding or implicating any of these protected statuses.
Mines’ commitment to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve a talented student body and workforce.
Through its policies, procedures and resources, Mines complies with federal law, Colorado state law, administrative regulations, executive orders and other legal requirements to prevent discrimination (including harassment or retaliation) within the Mines campus community and to address potential allegations of inequality or concerns for safety.
Colorado's premier engineering and applied science university for 150 years and counting