Postdoctoral Appointee - Quantum Performance Characterization and Information Science - Remote

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation's premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:

• Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
• Extraordinary co-workers
• Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
• Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
• Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
• Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*

World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov

*These benefits vary by job classification.

We are seeking Postdoctoral Appointee candidates with demonstrated publication record or relevant experience to join Sandia's Quantum Performance Laboratory to pursue world-leading research in the design and application of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) methods for the characterization, calibration, benchmarking, and simulation of quantum computers. You will be part of Sandia's much broader QIS and ML/AI programs and will have an opportunity to engage with researchers and teams across the QIS industry. Postdocs in our group work at the frontier of practical and theoretical quantum computing research, publish widely, and have broad latitude to identify compelling research problems, take leadership, and solve them. On any given day, you may:

• Work with a team developing and implementing new ML and AI methods for assessing and improving the performance of quantum computers;
• Interact and collaborate with a diverse set of software developers, experimentalists, and theorists at Sandia, academic institutions, other national labs, and private companies;
• Take ownership of technical projects, publish outstanding new developments in peer-reviewed scientific journals, and present your work at conferences.

The location for this position may be on the main Sandia campus in Albuquerque, NM, or Livermore, CA, hybrid, or remote work.

• A PhD in Computer Science, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Chemistry, or a related science or engineering field, PhD must be conferred within 5 years of employment.
• Experience in scientific software development in Python, including collaborative code development, code verification, and modern software quality practices.
• Experience with ML code development, using ML software such as TensorFlow, and the application of ML to scientific research problems.

• Record of research as demonstrated by publications in peer-reviewed journals, competitive conference proceedings, or high-impact program deliverables
• Experience with mathematical techniques for modelling or characterization noisy quantum computers.
• Demonstrated research experience in quantum computation and information science.
• Experience turning math into code.

You will be a member of the Quantum Performance Laboratory (QPL), a multidisciplinary research and development group within Sandia National Laboratories. Our team develops and deploys cutting-edge techniques for assessing and improving the performance of quantum computing hardware, serving the needs of the U.S. government, industry, and academia. We are geographically dispersed, but maintain a strong culture of collaboration. The QPL works closely with a wide range of partners in industry and academia to develop new performance assessment tools and apply them to newly developed quantum computing platforms. We are committed to advancing the field of quantum computing, and we publish our research in scientific journals including Nature, Nature Physics, Nature Communications, Physical Review X, PRX Quantum, and Physical Review Letters.

Our culture values work-life balance; we offer programs such as flexible work schedules with alternate Fridays off, on-site fitness facilities, and three weeks of vacation. Sandia provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and a 401(k) with company-match.

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation's premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation. We are a world-class team of scientists, engineers, technologists, post docs, and visiting researchers all focused on cutting-edge technology, ranging from homeland defense, global security, biotechnology, and environmental preservation to energy and combustion research, computer security, and nuclear defense.

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of seven (7) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

This position does not currently require a Department of Energy (DOE) security clearance.

Sandia will conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Furthermore, employees in New Mexico need to pass a U.S. Air Force background screen for access to Kirtland Air Force Base. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause access to be denied or terminated, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment. Under federal law, citizens and agents of the People's Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea, and the Russian Federation are generally prohibited from accessing Sandia National Laboratories. Accordingly, such individuals will not be considered for employment unless they are also a citizen of the United States.

If hired without a clearance and it subsequently becomes necessary to obtain and maintain one for the position, or you bid on positions that require a clearance, a pre-processing background review may be conducted prior to a required federal background investigation. Applicants for a DOE security clearance need to be U.S. citizens. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Members of the workforce (MOWs) hired at Sandia who require uncleared access for greater than 179 days during their employment, are required to go through the Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) process. Access includes physical and/or cyber (logical) access, as well as remote access to any NNSA information technology (IT) systems. UPIV requirements are not applicable to individuals who require a DOE personnel security clearance for the performance of their SNL employment or to foreign nationals. The UPIV process will include the completion of a USAccess Enrollment, SF-85 (Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions) and OF-306 (Declaration of for Federal Employment). An unfavorable UPIV determination will result in immediate retrieval of the SNL issued badge, removal of cyber (logical) access and/or removal from SNL subcontract. All MOWs may appeal the unfavorable UPIV determination to DOE/NNSA immediately. If the appeal is unsuccessful, the MOW may try to go through the UPIV process one year after the decision date.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.

If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.

If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.

This postdoctoral position is a temporary position for up to one year, which may be renewed at Sandia's discretion up to five additional years. The PhD must have been conferred within five years prior to employment.

Individuals in postdoctoral positions may bid on regular Sandia positions as internal candidates, and in some cases may be converted to regular career positions during their term if warranted by ongoing operational needs, continuing availability of funds, and satisfactory job performance.