We Are:

Fermilab is America's premier laboratory for particle physics and accelerator research, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. We support discovery science experiments in Illinois and at locations around the world, including deep underground mines in South Dakota and Canada, mountaintops in Arizona and Chile, CERN in Europe and the South Pole.

We are strategic risk takers, innovators, and collaborators. We are engineers, scientists, technicians, administrative professionals. We are over 2,000 employees advancing knowledge for the benefit of humankind. Fermilab has been at the forefront of particle physics for more than 40 years. We build world-leading accelerators and detectors to conduct some of the most advanced particle physics experiments possible. We collect and analyze the data from those experiments with some of the most powerful computers in the world. We conduct this research on a 6,800-acre prairie, 35 miles outside Chicago, a treasure that has been designated a National Environmental Research Park.

The Fermilab Quantum Institute Division (QID) seeks exceptional candidates for an Application Physicist fixed term position. The Fermilab Quantum Institute leverages existing Fermilab expertise and infrastructure and partners with leading QIS researchers to pursue high-impact QIS research and development while advancing high-energy physics applications. The selected candidate will pursue world-leading research and development of next generation detectors using advanced manufacturing technologies and quantum sensing solutions. The sensors and detectors under development are critical for experiments seeking direct detection of low mass dark matter and axions (e.g. BREAD, LAMPOST), and will form the basis for key detector systems at future collider collider experiments (e.g. the Future Circular Collider and the Muon Collider).

The selected candidate will work closely with group members on a range of emerging particle detection technologies including superconducting nanowire single photon detectors (SNSPD) and cutting edge silicon sensors such as 3D-Integrated LGAD. These emerging sensor technologies promise to deliver state-of-the-art performance in precision timing (picosecond), precision tracking (micron), and ultra-low energy threshold (sub-eV), and have key impacts on dark matter experiments and quantum networks.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and construct state-of-the-art cryogenic sensor testing infrastructure and lead the testing of novel superconducting quantum sensors (SNSPDs) for dark matter searches and quantum networks
• Lead the design-fabrication-testing cycle of state-of-the-art silicon detectors including Low-Gain Avalanche Diodes (LGAD) and 3D-Integrated silicon sensors
• Test the detectors using a combination of thermal mid-IR photon sources and radioactive particle sources, and perform waveform analysis for interpretation of results
• Perform integration of the novel sensors, readout electronics, and data acquisition (DAQ) systems.
• Lead test beam campaigns at the Fermilab Testbeam Facility (FTBF) to characterize the response of novel sensors to high energy particle beams

Basic Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Physics with postdoc experience (minimum of 2 years preferred)
• Experience in development and thorough understanding of cryogenic superconducting sensors, state-of-the-art silicon sensors, precision timing detectors, and associated high-speed electronics
• Experience in operation of complex experimental systems and development of data acquisition and reconstruction systems
• Proven track record of high impact scientific research demonstrated by scientific publications
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs
• Ability to work with and support a diverse base of scientific users

This position is not eligible for referral. Relocation is available.

Fermilab is an Equal Opportunity Employer and believes a diverse and inclusive environment based on mutual respect is essential to our mission. Fermilab is committed to recruiting and developing the most hardworking people and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, age, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, military/veteran status, country of birth, geography/postal code, disability, marital status, parental or gestational status, or other non-merit factor.

REAL-ID Requirement for access to Fermilab Campus
Fermilab and FRA requires all members of the public to produce a REAL-ID, or equivalent, to access the Fermilab Campus for interviews or career events. A list of acceptable forms of ID can be found here: If a candidate is selected for an interview but does not possess any of the equivalent documents, we may schedule a virtual interview.