Postdoctoral Research Associate

Position Overview

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Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) is a distinguished institution that combines academic excellence, community engagement, and a commitment to fostering student success. We are proud to be North Carolina’s only university to earn the distinguished designation of Opportunity College by the Carnegie Classifications of Higher Education and the American Council on Education (ACE). WSSU is dedicated to preparing students for leadership roles through rigorous programs in health sciences, business, education, and the humanities.

Position Summary

The Winston-Salem Quantum Institution (WSQI) is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher with a strong background in experimental quantum research. WSQI was launched in 2023 as a regional hub for quantum engineering research and education in close collaboration with Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) and University of Maryland (UMD). WSQI supports two major initiatives that are funded by Federal agencies including the Winston-Salem Hybrid Quantum Laboratory (WHQL) and Winston-Salem Quantum Education Collaboratory (WS-QEC).

The Postdoctoral Research Associate will lead the WHQL initiative and oversee research projects conducted by undergraduate research assistants in the WS-QEC. This is an opportunity for invaluable professional training from experienced principal investigators at WSSU and UMD!

Responsibilities of the Postdoctoral Research Associate include:

• Perform hands-on research in quantum information science and engineering, focusing on quantum hardware platforms
• Set up cryogenics, thin-film synthesis, electrical characterization (DC & Microwave), microwave device packaging, optical/photonics devices, and superconducting electronics within the focal areas
• Lead the WHQL initiative in establishing state-of-the-art facilities for the development and characterization of materials and devices for hybrid quantum hardware systems
• Design algorithms in the Qiskit package to generate quantum machine learning optimizers for material settings that lead to higher coherences, modeling losses through classical algorithms
• Collaborate with undergraduate research assistants to expand the range of materials configurations for intensive computational explorations
• Assist in mentoring undergraduate students conducting research in the PI’s lab
• Maintain laboratory instrumentation and equipment
• Assist PIs in preparing manuscripts for publication and proposals for funding agencies
• Actively communicate and report data/project progress to the PI
• Disseminate research outcomes through publications and conference presentations