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Postdoctoral Appointee – Single Electron Qubits (NST)

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

Posted Aug 12, 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

Tell me about a device you fabricated in a cleanroom. What process step gave you the most trouble?

What they are checking: Whether they have real nanofabrication experience and can solve process problems.

Tell me about working on a team where your results depended on others' work.

What they are checking: Whether they collaborate well in a tightly connected team, as the posting stresses.

How would you explain your qubit research to someone outside physics?

What they are checking: Whether they have the communication skills the posting lists as a requirement.

What would you do

Depositing neon and trapping electrons is not standard. How would you troubleshoot a cooldown where you see no electron signal?

What they are checking: Whether they can work systematically on a new platform with little established know-how.

What would you want to accomplish in your first year on this project?

What they are checking: Whether they have realistic, concrete goals for advancing the platform.

About the work

What makes an electron on solid neon an attractive qubit platform compared to other solid-state qubits?

What they are checking: Whether they understand why this new platform could offer long coherence and clean environments.

How would you approach realizing a high-fidelity two-qubit gate between single electrons on neon?

What they are checking: Whether they can think about coupling mechanisms like resonator-mediated interactions.

Walk me through how you'd design a device that traps a single electron and couples it to a superconducting resonator.

What they are checking: Whether they can think about electrode geometry, trapping potentials and circuit QED design.

How do you measure qubit coherence times, and what would you suspect if T2 came out much shorter than expected?

What they are checking: Whether they know standard qubit measurements and how to diagnose decoherence sources.

What's your experience with microwave measurement and low-temperature setups like dilution refrigerators?

What they are checking: Whether they have the hands-on cryogenic and microwave skills this work requires.

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The full job description

As published by Argonne National Laboratory.

The Center for Nanoscale Materials (CNM) at Argonne National Laboratory is seeking postdoctoral researchers to work on the development of single electron on solid neon qubits. The project aims to substantially advance this new qubit platform by realizing high-fidelity two-qubit gates. The postdoc will design single electron qubit devices, fabricate them in CNM cleanroom, and characterize them in CNM quantum labs. The postdoc will work with other team members and collaborators to study quantum physics and perform local quantum experiments. The successful candidate will be part of a highly collaborative team and actively interact with CNM and Argonne scientists as well as external collaborators. Position Requirements • Recent or soon-to-be-completed PhD (within the last 0-5 years) in field of experimental physics, engineering, or a closely related field • Experience in experimental physics/engineering, nanofabrication, quantum information science, and/or microwave and superconducting device characterization and measurement • Excellent written and verbal communication skills • Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a collaborative research environment • Ability to model Argonne’s core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork Preferred Qualifications • Experience in superconducting devices, nanofabrication, and low-temperature experiments • Experience with electron qubit design, fabrication, and measurement • Experience with superconducting qubits • Experience with dilution refrigerator operation and cryogenic experiments Application Materials Please upload the following materials as attachments to your application in Workday: • CV/Resume • Unofficial Ph.D. transcripts • Copy of Ph.D. diploma (if degree has already been awarded) 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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