Brookhaven National Laboratory (www.bnl.gov) delivers discovery science and transformative technology to power and secure the nation’s future. Brookhaven Lab is a multidisciplinary laboratory with seven Nobel Prize-winning discoveries, 37 R&D 100 Awards, and more than 70 years of pioneering research. The Lab is primarily supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science. Brookhaven Science Associates (BSA) operates and manages the Laboratory for DOE. BSA is a partnership between Battelle and The Research Foundation for the State University of New York on behalf of Stony Brook University.

The Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science Division has a tradition in strongly correlated electron physics, both experimentally and theoretically. In conjunction with BNL’s Computational Science Initiative and NSLS-II, and researchers at Stony Brook University, it is leveraging this expertise to conduct investigations into the coherence and entanglement properties of many-body magnetic solid state systems based on rare earths. These investigations will have two thrusts. In the first, pulsed laser experimental modalities will be developed to probe the non-equilibrium properties of rare-earth based magnetic chain systems. These modalities will exploit the unusually long lifetimes present in such materials. In the second, quantum computational modalities informed by quantum information theoretic approaches will be developed to describe the non-equilibrium dynamics of such rare-earth materials.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

We are looking for a postdoctoral research associate to conduct theoretical investigations that are complementary to the pump-probe experimental work on rare earth materials being conducted in the first thrust. This will involve both studying the coherence and entanglement properties of low dimensional rare earth systems in and of themselves as well as providing modeling of the attendant experimental work on these materials. We expect opportunities to investigate and employ quantum algorithms that are of interest to the second thrust more broadly, as well as to interact with the Co-design Center for Quantum Advantage (C2QA) led by BNL.

Expertise and/or interest in one of the following:

i) Low dimensional quantum field theory and its applications to condensed matter and statistical systems.

ii) Numerical methods including tensor network methods and density matrix renormalization group approaches to strongly correlated systems.

iii) Developing quantum algorithms for NISQ architectures.

• 
  PhD in Theoretical Physics or related discipline
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, be self-motivated and able to work both independently and as a part of a team.
• Ability to interact effectively with a diverse group of scientists and technical staff.
• Demonstrated ability for disseminating research results by writing manuscripts and giving academic presentations.
• Willing to travel in order to disseminate results and communicate with scientists at institutions participating in the computational material science effort at BNL.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• A good understanding of the physics of strongly correlated materials/systems.
• Some programming skills.

Additional Information:

• BNL policy requires that research associate appointments be made to individuals who have received their doctorate within the past five years.
• This position will be jointly supervised by Robert Konik and Andreas Weichselbaum.
• The position has a nominal two year duration with potential for a third year extension.

At Brookhaven National Laboratory we believe that a comprehensive employee benefits program is an important and meaningful part of the compensation employees receive. Our benefits program includes, but is not limited to:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Care Plans
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Time-off and Leave Programs (vacation, holidays, sick leave, paid parental leave)
• 401(k) Plan
• Flexible Work Arrangements
• Tuition Assistance, Training and Professional Development Programs
• Employee Fitness/Wellness & Recreation: Gym/Basketball Courts, Weight Room, Fitness Classes, Indoor Pool, Tennis Courts, Sports Clubs/Activities (Basketball, Ping Pong, Softball, Tennis)

Brookhaven National Laboratory and the Energy and Photon Sciences Directorate are committed to your success. We offer a supportive work environment and the resources necessary for you to succeed.