PREP0003891 Quantum Transduction Researcher

PREP Research Associate

Opportunity No.: PREP0003891

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (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, and 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.

APPLY ONLINE HERE

Quantum Transduction Researcher

Project Description:

The Quantum Nanophotonics group has recently demonstrated hybrid systems combining semiconductor optical quantum dots (QDs) and acoustic resonators as a promising platform for quantum information processing and transmission. All aspects of this work are performed ‘in-house’ using NIST’s state-of-the-art nanofabrication, molecular beam epitaxy, and low-temperature optical spectroscopy tools. The successful candidate will help lead this project, building on recent accomplishments, towards the goal of generating remote entanglement between superconducting qubits.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Design and construct GHz frequency acoustic resonators in Gallium Arsenide
• Precision spectroscopy of Indium Arsenide quantum dots (QDs) embedded in acoustical resonators
• Epitaxial growth and nanofabrication of QD hybrid quantum systems
• Analyze and interpret the microwave and optical characteristics of the hybrid microwave/optical system 
• Work as a member of a collaborative, interdisciplinary team
• Provide technical input to research problems that have been recognized as critical obstacles to progress in areas of exceptional interest 
• Prepare and review journal publications, contributing important advancements to quantum optics, quantum networking, optical communications, and optical measurement techniques 
• Attend research conferences and present technical results

Desired Qualifications: 

• U.S. Citizen Preferred
• Ph.D. in Physics or related field
• Expertise in spectroscopy on optical two-level systems at cryogenic temperatures, with specific emphasis on the resonance-florescence method
• Expertise in the growth of compound semiconductors using Molecular Beam Epitaxy
• Experience running and maintaining state-of-the-art nanofabrication tools 
• Experience with optical measurement techniques such as coherent detection, confocal microscopy, laser diagnostics, noise characterization, and statistical optics
• Experience in cryogenic measurements at liquid Helium temperatures 
• Experience in finite-element simulation of semiconductor electro-mechanical devices
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to code with code with: MATLAB or Python
• Experience with maintaining and running a dilution refrigerator

Other Details:

• Full-time: the participant is expected to work 40 hours a week
• Location: the participant will work at the NIST Boulder, CO Campus and Telework
• Duration: this is expected to be a one-year and five-month position. Extensions are sometimes granted depending on the availability of funds.
• For questions related to the research project or the nature of the work in this position, please contact Dr. Kevin L. Silverman (kevin.silverman@nist.gov). For questions related to the online application or NIST PREP more generally, please contact msu-nistprep@morgan.edu.

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 the 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 the information you submit for the purpose stated.