The Computer Architecture Group and the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC) at Berkeley Lab have an exciting opportunity for a Postdoctoral Research Scholar to develop novel approaches to quantum benchmarking. 

The challenge: Quantum computing technologies are making rapid progress. Currently available commercial and academic quantum hardware platforms are starting to reach qubit counts and circuit depths that are becoming increasingly challenging to simulate classically. On the other hand, imperfections in the hardware and control give rise to noise and reduced fidelity operations. This makes assessing the computational performance of quantum computers a complex task.

In this project, you will develop new methods for benchmarking of quantum hardware that are based on a sound theoretical footing and will be verified through experiments. You will start from a holistic approach and take the entire computational stack into account in order to characterize the end-to-end performance of quantum applications. Your results will be used to inform NERSC about quantum hardware performance.

The successful applicant is a motivated researcher with experience in quantum information theory and practice. You will be part of a multidisciplinary team with members from the Computer Architecture Group (AMCR Division) and Advanced Technologies Group (NERSC) and are expected to be a result-driven and independent worker.

What You Will Do:

• Develop novel, holistic approaches to quantum benchmarking and quantum hardware evaluation based on theory and practice.

• Focus on correlating low-level hardware characteristics with application-level performance.

• Develop and maintain quantum benchmarking software and data repositories.

• Disseminate results of research activities through refereed publications, reports, and conference presentations.

• Participation in postdoctoral career and science enrichment activities within the Berkeley Lab Computing Sciences Area is encouraged.

• Opportunities to travel to sites at other labs, universities, and to vendor facilities.

• Collaborate with domain scientists for the purpose of making quantum benchmarking easily accessible to them.

• Collaborate with facility scientists to plan the potential integration of quantum for broader use cases.

• Participate in all requested assignments, including research, preparation of proposals, documentation of results, and reporting results to sponsors.

• Participate in developing new funding initiatives as needed.

What is Required:

• Requires a PhD in Physical sciences (physics, chemistry and materials science), Quantum Information, Mathematics, Computer Science, Computational Science or Engineering within the last 3 years.

• Leading edge knowledge and research expertise in quantum algorithms and technologies.

• The ability to program proficiently in Python, Julia, Matlab, or C++.

• Demonstrated expertise in working with modeling methods and software tools for hardware/software exploration.

• Demonstrated creativity, initiative, and ability to design, develop and implement complex solutions.

• Independent and result-driven worker.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a cross-disciplinary team.

• Ability to communicate effectively.

• Demonstrated ability to prepare research results for publication and presentation at seminars and scientific meetings.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with developing and evaluating quantum benchmarking primitives.

• Experience with quantum hardware backends, such as digital gate-based hardware, pulse-level access, or analog quantum simulators.

• Familiarity with HPC and scientific computing applications.

Want to learn more about Berkeley Lab's Culture, Benefits and answers to FAQs? Please visit: https://recruiting.lbl.gov/

The monthly salary range for this position is $6,431-$8,642 and is expected to start at $7,843 or above. Postdoctoral positions are paid on a step schedule per union contract and salaries will be predetermined based on postdoctoral step rates. Each step represents one full year of completed post-Ph.D. postdoctoral experience.

Notes:

• This is a full-time 2, postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of renewal based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds and ongoing operational needs. You must have less than 3 years of paid postdoctoral experience. Salary for Postdoctoral positions depends on years of experience post-degree.

• This position is represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes.

• This position may be subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.

• Work will be primarily performed at: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA.

Berkeley Lab is committed to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) and strives to continue building community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We heartily welcome applications from women, minorities, veterans, and all who would contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, inclusion, and professionalism. In support of our diverse global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.
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