Visiting Research Specialist

Materials Research Laboratory

The Grainger College of Engineering

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The Materials Research Laboratory (MRL) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is seeking to hire a highly motivated Visiting Research Specialist to carry out cutting edge research on the synthesis and characterization of various quantum states of light, as well as mentoring graduate students on these tasks.

The successful candidate will become member of the dedicated staff of approximately 25 scientists and engineers, who maintain major research instruments in the MRL’s core facilities for electron microscopy in addition to other cores of shared instrumentation for scanning probe microscopy, laser and optical spectroscopy, surface, thermal and physical properties analysis, x-ray scattering and nanofabrication facilities. Approximately 1,000 researchers from across our campus as well as other academic institutions, industry, and national laboratories use the facilities, logging about 90,000 user hours annually. The lab is recognized as one of the premier mid-sized user facilities in the nation. For details, please visit us online at https://mrl.illinois.edu/facilities.

Specific duties and responsibilities include:

· Develop and perform research on optical quantum information projects which includes:

o Combining various state-of-the-art devices including: lasers, nonlinear crystals, superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors, optical delay lines, and ultrafast electro-optic switches, to deterministically add (or subtract) single photons from a given input state.

o Characterizing final state using quantum state tomography as well as methods from heterodyne detection and conditional heterodyne detection.

· Gather and analyze data, write and present research at conferences and in journals both domestic and internationally.

· Supervise and mentor graduate and undergraduate student research.

· Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

· Ph.D. in Physics, Engineering or closely related field.

· Three or more years of postdoctoral research experience related to entangled photon creation and characterization, as well as homodyne and heterodyne measurements.

· Postdoctoral research experience with photonic integrated devices for quantum optics and low-latency electronics.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

This is a full-time, visiting academic professional position appointed on a 12-month service basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the closing date. Applicants may be interviewed before the closing date; however, no hiring decision will be made until after that date.

The budgeted salary range for this position is $60,000–$68,000. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. This position will be expected to work at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus on a full-time basis per the University’s Workplace Flexibility policy. This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND DEADLINE INFORMATION

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on April 8, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Please upload your cover letter, resume, and names/contact information for three references. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact sredman@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.