Postdoctoral Associate, Quantum Systems

The Quantum Systems Team at the Virginia Tech National Security Institute (VTNSI) invites applications for a postdoctoral position in quantum engineering starting fall or summer of 2024. Applications for this position are encouraged from outstanding individuals working in the field of quantum systems and quantum engineering, broadly defined. The position will be for one year with potential subsequent one-year extensions up to three years total commensurate with satisfactory performance and available funding. In addition, the position may be located at either of the two VTNSI campus locations in Blacksburg, VA or Arlington, VA.

The successful candidate will join the Quantum Systems Team within the Spectrum Dominance Division at VTNSI, and will be expected to work closely with members of the group, which includes Vassilios Kovanis and Vsevolod Ivanov. The research interests of the group cover a broad range of topics in quantum technology and engineering, including, but not limited to first principles simulation of topological materials, quantum point defects in semiconductors, quantum topological photonics, quantum sensing, applications in Positioning Navigation and Timing (PNT), geolocation and synchronization of drones, theoretical applied nonlinear dynamics, and tunable photonic oscillators and clocks. Other responsibilities include communicating results in journal publications and conferences as well as mentoring junior members of the group. There will also be opportunities for travel to present in conferences and to participate in other collaborations.

This position serves to further develop the quantum initiative at VTNSI, which is part of greater university efforts in quantum science and engineering. Virginia Tech is a member of the Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C), and the Quantum Frontier is one of the four major research frontiers at Virginia Tech (research.vt.edu/research-frontiers/quantum). The successful candidate will have the opportunity to collaborate with faculty at the newly established Virginia Tech Center for Quantum Information Science and Engineering (vtq.vt.edu), the recently announced Center of Quantum Architecture and Software Development within the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus, as well as participate in the Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C), of which Virginia Tech is a member. Other opportunities at Virginia Tech include the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI) and the Academy of Data Science with its undergraduate major in Computational Modeling and Data Analytics (CMDA). The two VTNSI campuses in Blacksburg, VA and Arlington, VA operate in close proximity to federal agencies, national laboratories, and federally-funded research and development centers, enabling opportunities for interaction.

VTNSI is a university thematic research institute (research.vt.edu/institutes), with the mission of meeting the pressing needs of the defense and intelligence communities by developing their future workforce and advancing interdisciplinary research, technology, and policy. Given the appointment at the VTNSI, successful candidates must be a U.S. person. This position may be located in either Blacksburg, VA or Arlington, VA locations.