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Postdoctoral Appointee – Quantum Magnetometry for High-Energy Physics

Argonne National Laboratory · Lemont, IL · $72,879–$121,465 a year · Full time

Posted Oct 2, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Walk me through an ODMR measurement you've done. What went wrong at first?

What they are checking: Whether they have hands-on NV or similar quantum sensing experience.

Tell me about a time you learned a new field quickly to make a project work.

What they are checking: Whether they can pick up unfamiliar areas, since this role spans several disciplines.

What would you do

This role bridges HEP, materials science and quantum information science. How would you keep all three groups engaged?

What they are checking: Whether they can communicate across very different communities with different priorities.

Your sensor works in the lab but its signal falls apart in an operating environment. How do you troubleshoot?

What they are checking: Whether they can systematically find environmental noise and interference sources.

About the work

Explain how an NV center in diamond measures a magnetic field, and what limits its sensitivity.

What they are checking: Whether they understand NV physics, including spin readout, coherence times and photon collection.

How would you adapt an NV diamond sensor for mapping fields inside a high-energy physics experiment?

What they are checking: Whether they can think about harsh conditions like radiation, temperature and large background fields.

What are the challenges of integrating diamond membranes with microelectronic or photonic platforms?

What they are checking: Whether they understand heterointegration problems like bonding, strain and optical coupling.

How would you validate a sensor's performance before trusting it in a real testbed?

What they are checking: Whether they understand calibration and how to compare against known fields.

How do you trade off spatial resolution against sensitivity when choosing NV density?

What they are checking: Whether they understand design choices between single NVs and ensembles.

What would it take to make a sensor module truly field-ready?

What they are checking: Whether they think about robustness, packaging and ease of use, not just lab performance.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Argonne National Laboratory from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

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The full job description

As published by Argonne National Laboratory.

The High Energy Physics (HEP) Division, in collaboration with the Materials Science Division (MSD) and Q-NEXT at Argonne National Laboratory, seeks a postdoctoral researcher to focus on applied nitrogen-vacancy (NV) diamond quantum magnetometry for high-energy physics experiments. The HEP Division performs cutting-edge research leveraging advanced detector development, high-performance computing (HPC), and world-class engineering support. Concurrently, MSD and Q-NEXT drive state-of-the-art quantum initiatives focused on fundamental and applied quantum information science, highlighted by recent breakthroughs in NV sensor synthesis and host diamond heterointegration. The successful candidate will operate at the interface of these programs, playing a central role in developing and optimizing next-generation diamond membrane quantum sensors to enable precision electromagnetic field mapping in HEP experiments. This position bridges detector R&D, materials science, and quantum information science, offering unique opportunities to design, synthesize, and characterize NV diamond sensors tailored for demanding experimental environments. The postdoctoral researcher will drive the integration of these sensors into microelectronic and photonic platforms, validate their performance in laboratory and operational testbeds, and contribute to developing scalable, field-ready modules for future experiments. This interdisciplinary work allows early-career researchers to build highly valuable expertise across quantum information science, materials science, engineering, and particle physics. Please feel free to contact Peter Winter ( winter@anl.gov) or Nazar Delegan ( ndelegan@anl.gov ) for more details and questions on the position. Position Requirements • Recent or soon-to-be-completed PhD (within the last 0-5 years) in field of Physics, Astronomy, or Quantum Engineering • Considerable analytical skills are necessary to develop and improve techniques for data analysis • Demonstrated problem-solving skills and effective troubleshooting ability are required • Ability to produce scientific reports, present ideas and proposals to scientists and engineers, and maintain proficiency in written and oral communication • Ability to work effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team • Ability to model Argonne’s core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork Additional Information While these are not prerequisites for applying, prior experience with or a strong interest in any of the following areas will set candidates up for success: condensed matter and materials physics (specifically spin and detector physics), device synthesis, and quantum materials (including optics, photonics, spectroscopy, and optically active point defects). Also, familiarity with nanofabrication (optical and e-beam lithography), microwave engineering, hardware systems (detector setups, electronics, and NMR), or programming for data analysis and system modeling is a plus. Application Instructions Please upload the following materials with your application in Workday: • CV/Resume including publications and presentations • Research Statement • Unofficial Ph.D. Transcripts • If already awarded, a copy of your Ph.D. diploma Applications will be given full consideration by October 1st 2026, and the position will remain open until filled. Job Family Postdoctoral Job Profile Postdoctoral Appointee Worker Type Long-Term (Fixed Term) Time Type Full time The expected hiring range for this position is $72,879.00-$121,465.00. Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package. Click here to view Argonne employee benefits! As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment. Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law. Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department. All Argonne offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes an assessment of criminal conviction history conducted on an individualized and case-by-case basis. Please be advised that Argonne positions require upon hire (or may require in the future) for the individual be to obtain a government access authorization that involves additional background check requirements. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.

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