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PREP0003112 / Postdoctoral Fellow / Measure Quasiparticle Dynamics ins Superconducting Circuits and Develop Quasiparticle Mitigation Techniques for Superconducting Circuits Including Superconducting Qubits and Quantum Sensors
PREP Research Associate
Colorado School of Mines and The National Institute of Standards (NIST) invite applications for a PREP Research Associate/Post Doctoral Fellow. This position is part of the National Institute of Standards (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, 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.
The successful applicant will measure quasiparticle dynamics ins superconducting circuits and develop quasiparticle mitigation techniques for superconducting circuits including superconducting qubits and quantum sensors. The mitigation techniques could include the use of electrothermal feedback in transition-edge sensors or tunnel junction-based structures and will make use of superconducting materials, low temperatures, and quantum mechanical effects. Key goals are to increase the robustness of qubit and quantum sensor to background radiation and cosmic rays.
The Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) is a cooperative partnership between the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Colorado School of Mines (Mines). PREP provides research opportunities to Mines undergraduate and graduate students, as well as researchers with a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in NIST labs to gain research experience alongside NIST scientists. All hires made through the NIST PREP program at Mines are employees of Colorado School of Mines.
Research Location: Physically at NIST within the Quantum Electronics Group at the Physical Measurements Lab/Quantum Sensors Division in Boulder, CO and at Colorado School of Mines campus in Golden, CO.
Project Title/Description: PREP0003112 - 687.14 Postdoctoral Scholar Measure Quasiparticle Dynamics in Superconducting Circuits and Develop Quasiparticle Mitigation Techniques for Superconducting Circuits Including Superconducting Qubits and Quantum Sensors

Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Measure quasiparticle lifetimes at ultra-low temperatures in a variety of relevant superconducting materials.
• Develop design of transition-edge sensors to protect superconducting qubits.
• Explore the use of tunnel junctions to remove quasiparticles from superconducting qubits.
• Measure the impact of transition-edge sensors and tunnel junction-based quasiparticle mitigation techniques on qubit coherence and lifetimes.
• Regularly communicate work status to group members and disseminate results through internal and external publications and presentations. Interact with internal and external collaborators. Disseminate results through publications and presentations.
• Presenting results at internal meetings, and occasional meetings with external stakeholders.

Qualifications

• A PhD in Physics, Computer Science, Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related field.
• 4 or more years of relevant experience.
• Familiarity with measurement of superconducting devices.
• Familiarity with cryogenic and room-temperature microwave components.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

Length of Term

• Start date: 06/01/2025 or as soon as available
• End date: 05/31/2027

Supervisors - Douglas Bennett (NIST) and Meenakshi Singh (Mines)

• Send questions to nistprep@mines.edu. Please include PREP0003112 in the subject line.

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 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 of the information you submit for the purpose stated.

ABOUT MINES AND GOLDEN, CO

When the world looks for answers, the world looks to Mines.
Colorado School of Mines is a top-ranked public university solving the grand challenges facing our society, particularly those related to the Earth, energy and the environment. Founded in 1874 with specialties in mining and metallurgy, Mines’ scope and mission have continually expanded to meet the needs of industry and society. Today, we are the No. 38 public university in the nation, recognized for our innovation and undergraduate teaching in science, technology engineering and math (U.S. News and World Report, 2023).
Mines graduates are change makers, boundary breakers and problem solvers. Since our earliest days, a Mines education has been and continues to be a transformational opportunity, with one of the strongest returns on investment out there for talented STEM students of all backgrounds.
At the same time, Mines faculty members are pushing their fields in new directions, whether that’s manufacturing, space resources, quantum engineering, carbon capture or more. Mines was recently classified as a R1 “Very High Activity” research institution by Carnegie, a notable feat for any university but particularly one of our size.
That size – roughly 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students – also translates to a close-knit campus community, where employees have opportunities to get involved in multiple ways, continued professional learning is valued and everyone can make an impact.
Community Alliance groups bring together employees for professional development, networking, cultural awareness and community involvement, and all Mines employees also have access to the wealth of activities happening every day on campus – nationally-renowned speakers, special events and Mines traditions like Engineering Days, just to name a few.
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Are you looking for an inspiring, mission-driven workplace where you can contribute to solving the world’s problems and educating the next generation of change makers? Are you an individual who values a community where our individual perspectives and experiences enrich the educational and work experience?
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Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Measure quasiparticle lifetimes at ultra-low temperatures in a variety of relevant superconducting materials.
• Develop design of transition-edge sensors to protect superconducting qubits.
• Explore the use of tunnel junctions to remove quasiparticles from superconducting qubits.
• Measure the impact of transition-edge sensors and tunnel junction-based quasiparticle mitigation techniques on qubit coherence and lifetimes.
• Regularly communicate work status to group members and disseminate results through internal and external publications and presentations. Interact with internal and external collaborators. Disseminate results through publications and presentations.
• Presenting results at internal meetings, and occasional meetings with external stakeholders

Colorado School of Mines offers a robust portfolio of benefits for all employees. For this role, that includes:

• Flexible health and dental care options
• Generous sick/vacation time: 13 paid holidays per year – including a week-long winter break for entire campus.
• Fully vested retirement plan on first day of employment, with generous employer contribution
• Tuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50 percent discount for dependents)
• Free RTD Ecopas