Postdoctoral researcher in superconducting quantum computing devices

Investigate the feasibility and perform theoretical modeling of voltage-biased and flux based superconducting coherent quantum memories.

The purpose of this post-doctoral position is to investigate the voltage-induced coupling of flux states in superconducting loops, and the possibility of realizing voltage-controlled phase-slip qubits. Quantum phase slips allow for a coherent coupling of flux states and has been used to build phase-slip qubits. It has been shown that one can couple flux states of a superconducting ring using a bias voltage. This is an important step towards realizing electrically tunable superconducting devices, such as qubits, SQUIDs and superconducting memories. In addition, one of the focus areas will be the feasibility and performance of a superconducting magnetic quantum memory in terms of write and readout speed in comparison to Rapid Single Flux Quantum (RFSQ) memories. One of the main barriers that impede the scalability of RSFQ memories is the Josephson junction (JJ), which cannot be aggressively scaled without introducing variability. Moreover, since the write and readout circuitry require additional JJs, it becomes challenging to reduce the overall footprint. In contrast, our proposal allows for electronic write and non-destructive readout while dispensing with the JJ in the loop, thereby enabling a high-density superconducting memory. At the same time, JJs are still the working horse of several quantum bit implementations such as the Transmon and Xmon and one of the main challenges is to understand and find strategies to minimize the effect of decoherence.

What you will do

• Modeling and simulation of superconducting quantum devices.
• Generate and validate disruptive ideas, that contribute to our innovative portfolio of technological solutions
• Innovative thinking on different novel qubit designs
• Improve the design of novel superconducting qubits by understanding and modeling at the device physics level
• Investigate the feasibility of voltage-biased and flux based superconducting coherent quantum memories and perform benchmarking and technological
• implementation
• Theory and modeling of decoherence in Josephson junction based quantum bits and circuits
• Assisting in the exploratory part of the superconducting quantum device modeling
• Publishing papers, filing patents, increasing your research network.

What we do for you

We offer you the opportunity to join one of the world’s premier research centers in nanotechnology at its headquarters in Leuven, Belgium. With your talent, passion and expertise, you’ll become part of a team that makes the impossible possible. Together, we shape the technology that will determine the society of tomorrow.
We are proud of our open, multicultural, and informal working environment with ample possibilities to take initiative and show responsibility. We commit to supporting and guiding you in this process; not only with words but also with tangible actions. Through imec.academy, ‘our corporate university’, we actively invest in your development to further your technical and personal growth.

We are aware that your valuable contribution makes imec a top player in its field. Your energy and commitment are therefore appreciated by means of a competitive salary with many fringe benefits.

Who you are

• You hold a PhD in Physics or (Electrical/ nano/physics) engineering or equivalent.
• You are proficient in superconducting matter and quantum computing devices
• We value your deep interest in combining theory, modeling and conceptualizing novel quantum devices.
• Both extensive coding skills as well as up-to-date simulation program experience is considered a plus
• Experience with supervising master and PhD students in the subject matter is an extra asset
• We are looking for your interest in assisting in taking up the lead for exploratory quantum computing devices.
• You are a constructive team player and actively share experience and knowledge with colleagues.
• We appreciate your creativity, persistence and passion for what you do.
• We value your excellent networking and communication skills in English, as you will work in a multicultural environment.

This postdoctoral position is funded by imec through KU Leuven. Because of the specific financing statute which targets international mobility for postdocs, only candidates who did not stay or work/study in Belgium for more than 24 months in the past 3 years can be considered for the position (short stays such as holiday, participation in conferences, etc. are not taken into account).