Senior Scientist - Cryogenic Photon Detectors and Nanofabrication (Hybrid)

About Xanadu:

Xanadu’s mission is to build quantum computers that are useful and available to people everywhere.

At Xanadu, we are learners, innovators, researchers, collaborators and problem solvers. We are creating something that has never been built before.  What we are doing is extremely hard, the classic moon shot. Few people in their life will be able to be a part of something like this, where if we are successful, the technologies we develop will solve some of the world’s most challenging problems and literally change the world. And that is something to be excited about!

Your role and responsibilities:

As part of the Hardware Team, you will work with our established team of physicists and engineers to support existing efforts to improve the performance of photon number resolving (PNR) cryogenic detectors. In this role, you will contribute your expertise in superconducting device characterization, cleanroom fabrication, and sensitive cryogenic electrical measurements—all aimed at optimizing our transition edge sensors (TES). 

You will be a member of the Low Temperature Devices team, which is responsible for the systems-level design and deployment of large-scale arrays of optical TES PNR detectors, and their integration within the broader Xanadu hardware stack. Your primary focus will be on TES detector design optimization, characterization, and fabrication. You will also work closely with both external partners and internal stakeholders to understand and meet the critical requirements of the PNR system.

A key part of the role will involve travel within Canada for cleanroom development at partner facilities.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• PhD with 2+ years additional experience (postdoc or industry) in Physics, Engineering, Experimental Sciences, or related relevant discipline with a focus on superconducting devices. 
• Understanding the physics of superconductivity and superconducting devices and circuits.
• Experienced in the operation of clean room tools including photolithography, deposition (PVD, CVD), wet & plasma etching (RIE, ICP), and characterization (AFM, ellipsometry) 
• Experience writing Python code.

• Experience with precision measurements of small nanovolt/nanoamp level signals.
• Experienced in the independent operation of milli-Kelvin cryostats, specifically dilution refrigerators.
• Experience with analog testing equipment (VNA, spectrum analyzer, SMU etc)

• Experience working in a collaborative team-based development environment.
• Ability to operate autonomously in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple competing priorities.

Preferred Knowledge and Experience:

• Experience in developing cleanroom recipes and keep detailed documentation
• Knowledge of optical thin film stack metrology, characterization and optimization
• Experience fabricating and working with cryogenic detectors or their applications, for example in TES, MKID or SNSPDs.  

• Experience with large data set analysis and statistical reporting.

Our values are important. They are fundamental and lay the foundation for culture at Xanadu. Learn more about our values here.

At Xanadu, we are committed to building an inclusive, safe, and equitable culture and fostering an environment where our employees feel included, valued, and heard. We are committed to meeting the needs of all individuals and support a barrier-free workplace. Should you require accommodations at any point during the recruitment process please contact Recruiting at recruiting@xanadu.ai.

Note: Xanadu will never ask you for bank account information as part of the interview process. Please report any suspicious activity to recruiting@xanadu.ai.