Postdoctoral Appointee-Magnon Dark-Matter quantum detection

Postdoctoral Appointment in Axion Dark Matter Detection

The Materials Science Division at Argonne National Laboratory invites applications for a postdoctoral appointment focusing on the project of axion dark matter detection with magnon quantum sensing. The successful candidate will be a key member of a multidisciplinary research team between Materials Science Division and High Energy Physics Division at Argonne National Laboratory and work closely with University of Notre Dame to develop novel on-chip superconducting quantum detectors with magnetic targets for low-energy axion dark matter detection.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop superconducting hybrid circuits that couple to both macroscopic magnetic crystals as magnon target mass and solid-state single-electron qubit with magnetic field compatibility.
• Develop superconducting hybrid circuits that couple to large single-crystal YIG spheres for optimizing magnon target mass and improving axion detector sensitivity.
• Develop detector sensing demonstration experiments for measuring the quantum efficiency and dark count rates of magnon quantum detectors.
• Develop novel quantum-limit devices based on high superconducting kinetic inductance with magnetic field tolerance, such as parametric amplifiers and qubits, for on-chip magnon quantum sensing

Position Requirements

• Superconducting resonator design, simulation and nanofabrication.
• Microwave circuit design and characterization, including vector network analyzer, spectrum analyzer, or FPGA-based data acquisition.
• Cryogenic measurements and equipment maintenance, preferably dilution refrigerator.
• Knowledge about low-noise microwave characterization, including use of noise isolation components (circulator, isolator, attenuators, thermal anchoring, grounding).
• Hand-in knowledge of designing and making sample holders and components for building new electronic experiments.

Experience:

• Ph.D degree in the field of Condensed Matter Physics, experimental High Energy Physics, Quantum Information Science, or a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience in quantum sensing, quantum information science, superconducting circuit, or magnonics.
• Proficiency in scientific software development (e.g., Python, COMSOL, HFSS or similar languages).
• Ability to model Argonne's core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork.