Postdoctoral Fellow in Quantum Physics

Posting Details ================

Position Details ----------------

• Title: Postdoctoral Fellow in Quantum Physics
• Appointment Status: Non-Tenure Track
• Department: IU Bloomington Physics
• Location: Bloomington

Position Summary ----------------

A Postdoctoral Fellow Position in Quantum Optical Physics Theoretical Simulation Modeling for Experimental Design

The Department of Physics at Indiana University Bloomington invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow position. This position is designed for a researcher who sits at the intersection of theoretical and experimental physics. The successful candidate will lead the architectural design, modeling, simulation of a groundbreaking experiment, the direct harvesting and extraction of quantum entanglement from the electromagnetic vacuum states. This is a design-phase experiment of the project, which requires simulations, modeling, calculation based on experimentally feasible and practical constraints and conditions to deliver an experiment-ready blueprint and architecture.

Key Research Responsibilities -----------------------------

• Theoretical Modeling • Develop and refine models for entanglement harvesting using continuous-variable quantum information theory and Gaussian quantum states steering.
• Experimental Simulation • Simulate the detection of vacuum fluctuations via electro-optic sampling incorporating realistic parameters for femtosecond few-cycle laser pulses, terahertz bandwidths, and detector electronics.
• System Architecture • Define the critical engineering requirements, optical pulse duration, terahertz crystal materials in cryogenetic environments, signal-to-noise ratio optimization, entanglement witnesses, and verification necessary to resolve the entangled vacuum variance.

Relevant Keywords -----------------

• Experiment: electro-optic sampling, terahertz pulses, femtosecond laser pulses, ultrafast optics, carrier-envelope phase offset, balanced homodyne detection
• Theory: relativistic quantum information science, quantum field theory, quantum optics, quantum fluctuations of the vacuum, Unruh-DeWitt detector model, entanglement harvesting, entanglement witness

Project Overview ----------------

In this exciting role and project, you will work under the direction of Prof. Chen-Ting Liao and in collaboration with other team members and collaborators. For additional information about the Liao research group, please visit http://sites.google.com/view/chen-ting-liao.

Contact Information ------------------

Department Contact for Questions ------------------------------

Questions regarding the position or application process can be directed to Prof. Chen-Ting Liao at Liao3@IU.edu.

Basic Qualifications -------------------

• Eligibility according to the project sponsor: • U.S. citizenship or • U.S. Permanent Resident Green Card holder or • in the application process to become a U.S. Permanent Resident Green Card holder.
• Ph.D. in Physics, Chemistry, Quantum Information Science, Optics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field at the time of appointment.
• Demonstrated ability to bridge theoretical concepts with physical realizability.
• Strong track record of scientific research and peer-reviewed publications.
• Excellent written and spoken English communication skills.
• High degree of independence and ability to work in a collaborative team environment.

Additional Qualifications -------------------------

• Theory Expertise in quantum optics, quantum information science, or quantum field theory.
• Simulation Proficiency in MATLAB or Python for simulation modeling and data analysis.
• Experience with COMSOL Multiphysics and/or Lumerical is a plus.
• Experiment Familiarity with ultrafast optics, terahertz generation, or balanced homodyne detection is highly desirable.
• Design experience using CAD software, e.g., SolidWorks for experimental layouts, is advantageous.

Required Documents ------------------

• Curriculum Vitae, including completed degrees, list of publications, research experience, and expertise.
• Letter of Application, cover letter.
• Contact information of at least two references.

Salary and Rank ----------------

• Salary: $54,000 - $59,000 per year.
• Rank: Postdoctoral Fellow.
• Initial appointment: 2 years.
• Additional 1-year extension available based on performance, mutual agreement, and funding availability of the phase II of the project.
• A competitive benefits package will be offered by the University.

Expected Start Date -------------------

• Summer 2026.

Applications ------------

Applications should be submitted through the application portal located at https://indiana.peopleadmin.com/postings/31923.

Supplemental Questions ----------------------

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk.