Quantum Engineering Postdoctoral Fellow

Berkeley Lab’s Applied Mathematics Computational Research Division (AMCR) has an immediate opening in the Quantum Information Science and Technology Group (QuIST) for a Quantum Engineering Postdoctoral Fellow under the programs of Advanced Quantum Testbed (AQT) and Quantum System Accelerator (QSA). The primary goal of the position will focus on materials and circuit electric field engineering to understand the material-performance causality of superconducting qubits, including the optimization of electromagnetic design and development of new metrology and fabrication techniques.

The position will have access to the state‑of‑the‑art superconducting circuit fabrication facility, quantum measurement lab, and advanced material characterization tools at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The position will also be on the team for development and fabrication of multiqubit, multilayer quantum processor unit (QPU), where the candidate will work with all teams at Berkeley Lab to build up full‑stack superconducting QPU for scientific research.

• Perform electromagnetic simulation of qubit circuits with novel designs to achieve high‑coherence qubits.
• Develop cleanroom metrology for superconducting qubit devices, especially CMOS in‑line metrology, in the lab as well as in collaboration with industrial partners.
• Develop and optimize fabrication processes to improve device materials and characterize the performance of superconducting qubit devices.
• Fabricate multiqubit, multilayer quantum processors developed at Berkeley Lab.
• Present and publish experimental results in internal and external meetings and journals.
• Support and lead collaborative projects with quantum‑computing industrial partners.

• Mentor graduate students.
• Support or lead writing, including program reports, grants, and papers.

• Ph.D. degree in Physics, Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, Material Science, or a related field.
• Experience in cleanroom/nanofabrication processes, with emphasis on hands‑on experience and knowledge of cleanroom metrology for device performance/yield characterization.
• Experience in one or more of the responsibilities/research areas in the following:
  • Solid‑state quantum computing platform, including but not limited to superconducting qubits, spin qubits, semiconductor nanowire/topological qubits, rare‑earth qubits, nanophotonics.
  • Microwave circuit design and simulation (e.g. EM solvers, network analysis).
  • Complex structure device fabrication, including CMOS multilayer devices, flip‑chip devices, microwave airbridges, and/or RF circuit devices.
• Relevant publication record and demonstration of proficient written and verbal presentation of scientific results.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative environment.
• Ability to mentor and direct the work of students.
• Willingness to travel occasionally to collaborators’ sites and conferences.

• Experience in superconducting qubit design, fabrication, and measurement, especially in surface‑participation simulation and material loss tangent.
• Familiarity with material–device causality, i.e., connecting film microstructure and surface chemistry to device physics and performance.
• Experience with surface treatment and surface metrology/measurement.

• Application date:
  Candidate consideration will start on June 15, 2026, but applications will be accepted until the job posting is removed on a rolling basis.
• Appointment type:
  Full‑time, 2‑year postdoctoral appointment with possible renewal based on performance, funding, and operational needs. Must have less than 3 years of paid postdoctoral experience. Salary based on post‑degree experience.
• Salary range: $6,924–$8,026, starting at $6,924 or above. Paid on a step schedule per union contract, each step represents a full year of completed post‑Ph.D. experience.
• Background check:
  Position subject to background check. Convictions evaluated for relevance; conviction history does not automatically disqualify applicants.
• Work modality:
  On‑site, hybrid, or full‑time telework. Primary location:
  Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. Must perform…