Postdoctoral Associate

Job Summary

Postdoctoral Associate, working with senior researchers and PIs in the Advanced Microwave Photonics Group (686.05) to develop superconducting microwave circuits for quantum applications. The position tasks will include developing theoretical and computational tools for designing and simulating electrical and mechanical resonators as well as their coupling to superconducting qubits. This also includes the design, layout, fabrication, measurement, data analysis, and publication/dissemination of these results.

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Professional Research Experience Program (PREP). 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.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

PREP is a special partnership between the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the University of Colorado Boulder. PREP provides research opportunities to CU 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.

The particular group that needs a researcher is the Advanced Microwave Photonics Group under the Applied Physics Division at NIST.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Design and simulation of superconducting mechanical and electrical resonators.
• Fabrication and process development of planarized processes in the NIST cleanroom.
• Cryogenic measurement and microwave characterization of devices.
• Analyze and publish research findings.
• Present results at internal meetings and international conferences.

What We Require

A PhD degree in Physics, Engineering, or a related field.

What We Would Like You to Have

• Familiarity with low-temperature microwave electronics measurements.
• Familiarity with superconducting circuits.
• Familiarity with Josephson junction physics.
• Ability to synthesize research findings for publication.
• Familiarity with multiple programming languages (python, matlab, C, Verilog-A).
• Familiarity with microwave simulating software (AWR Cadence, Sonnet, HFSS).
• Experience with cleanroom work and nanofabrication.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

1. Resume or CV
2. Cover letter addressed to the Search Committee briefly describing your qualifications, professional goals, and specific interest in this position.

Review of applications will begin immediately and remain open until August 29, 2025.