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 outstanding applicants for a postdoctoral Research Associate position in quantum communications. Fermilab QID leverages existing expertise, infrastructure, and partners with leading QIS researchers to pursue high-impact QIS research and development while advancing high-energy physics applications. In this pursuit, FQI takes advantage of new quantum capabilities and builds the capacity necessary for the applications' deployment. In support of the Fermilab science program and HEP science objectives, FQI engages with QIS initiatives across the entire DOE Office of Science.

The Quantum Communications Group is seeking an outstanding postdoctoral Quantum Optics Network Research Associate who will support the current research towards achieving a functional high-rate quantum network in the Chicago metropolitan areas for a fixed term. The group has achieved record-high fidelity quantum teleportation and entanglement swapping protocols and is leading the DOE's AQ-NET (Advanced Quantum Networks for Science Discovery) multi-year project to develop the next generation of quantum networks through the development of ultra high-rate entanglement, hyperentangled sources, quantum error mitigation and correction protocols, and hybrid free-space to fiber quantum network links. The selected candidate will benefit strongly from our group's close collaborations with world-leading scientists working in areas of quantum optics, analog and digital electronics and ASICs, and quantum sensing.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Participate in new and ongoing research in quantum communications and quantum sensors
• Lead the ongoing efforts to develop high rate entanglement sources and demonstrate complex long-range quantum networking protocols with multiple nodes
• Write peer-reviewed publications and technical reports for internal and external release and represent the organization by giving technical presentations in large public forums
• Mentoring of graduate students and research interns at Fermilab participating in the quantum network projects

Basic Qualifications:

• Experience in experimental optical telecommunications or experimental quantum communications is required
• Experience in fiber-based quantum communication, coherent optical communication, fiber optics components, and single photon detection will be highly valued

Preferred Qualifications:

• Excellent English written and oral communication skills
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs

There is not a referral bonus for this position. 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.