Postdoctoral Appointee – Superconducting Single-Photon Devices for Quantum Information Science

Argonne National Laboratory invites applications for a postdoctoral research position in experimental physics and superconducting device development, focused on advancing multipixel single-photon camera technology and multiplexed readout systems for quantum information science applications.

In this role, you will join a multidisciplinary team spanning several Argonne divisions and contribute to the design, fabrication, and characterization of superconducting devices based on high kinetic inductance materials. This position offers a unique opportunity to help build a new research capability with potential impact across quantum networking, communications, and computing.

Research Focus

• Design and fabricate superconducting devices that leverage the nonlinear kinetic inductance of thin superconducting films, including microwave resonators for frequency-domain multiplexed readout of single-photon detectors using kinetic inductance current sensors
• Develop and characterize superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) using high kinetic inductance materials such as NbN, TiN, and NbTiN, with the goal of achieving high detection efficiency from visible to telecom wavelengths
• Implement and evaluate scalable readout architectures for nanowire arrays, including multiplexing approaches based on superconducting cryogenic switches such as hTron and fTron
• Perform low-noise cryogenic measurements to assess device performance, including timing jitter, dark count rate, detection efficiency, and resonator quality factors
• Rapidly refine fabrication processes and readout circuit designs based on device characterization results and electromagnetic simulations
• Contribute to the development of integrated instrument systems for the characterization of solid-state single-photon emitters, including photon correlation and spectroscopy measurements

About the Team

You will become part of a highly collaborative team of physicists and engineers from Argonne’s High Energy Physics (HEP), X-ray Science (XSD), and Materials Science (MSD) divisions. Together, the team brings expertise in:

• Superconducting detector arrays
• Thin-film materials development
• Nanofabrication
• Cryogenic instrumentation
• Quantum communications
• Solid-state quantum emitter systems

This project benefits from Argonne’s world-class research infrastructure, including:

• Dilution refrigerators
• Adiabatic demagnetization refrigerators
• Low-noise DC and RF measurement systems
• Advanced cleanroom fabrication facilities, including the Center for Nanoscale Materials (CNM)

Why Join Argonne

This is an opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research at the intersection of superconducting devices, quantum photonics, and advanced instrumentation. You will work in a collaborative national laboratory environment with access to exceptional facilities, expert colleagues, and the chance to help shape technologies with broad relevance to future quantum systems.

Position Requirements

• Recent or soon-to-be-completed PhD (within the last 0-5 years) in field of physics, electrical engineering, materials science, or a related field
• Demonstrated experience with superconducting devices or related quantum or low-temperature technologies, particularly in device design, fabrication, and/or measurement
• Proficiency in low-noise cryogenic measurement techniques spanning millikelvin to few-kelvin temperatures
• Ability to model Argonne’s core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs), transition-edge sensors (TESs), or kinetic inductance detectors (KIDs)
• Experience with cleanroom microfabrication processes, including thin-film deposition (e.g., magnetron sputtering), electron-beam or optical lithography, and dry/wet etching

• Familiarity with microwave resonator design, characterization, and RF/microwave measurement techniques
• Experience with electromagnetic simulation tools such as Sonnet, Ansys HFSS, Lumerical, or similar platforms

• Experience with data acquisition, instrument control, and data analysis in Python or similar languages
• Knowledge of quantum optics measurements such as photon correlation functions or photon-number-resolved detection
• Familiarity with aspects of condensed matter and BCS superconductivity theory applicable to high kinetic inductance superconducting materials

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Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.

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