Postdoctoral Appointee – Superconducting Single-Photon Devices 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.

• 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

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)

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.

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

• 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…