Postdoctoral Researcher in Quantum Networking and Quantum Sensing, UTC Quantum Center (Chattanooga, USA)
Job Description
The UTC Quantum Center at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga invites applications for an experimental postdoctoral researcher in quantum networking and quantum sensing, supervised by Dr. Tian Li, Assistant Professor of Physics and the centre’s Chief Technology Officer. The work uses a metro-scale quantum communication testbed and advanced quantum optical techniques, funded by the National Science Foundation and NIST, and involves collaboration with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and IonQ.
At a glance
- Position: Postdoctoral Researcher (experimental)
- Supervisor: Dr. Tian Li
- Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee
- Funding: NSF and NIST
- Partners named: ORNL and IonQ
- Apply: open until filled (re-checked 14 October 2026)
Research focus and duties
- Design and implement quantum network protocols for distributed quantum sensing and information processing
- Apply machine learning to improve quantum communication fidelity and reduce environmental disruptions
- Develop quantum sensing techniques for biomedical uses such as biomechanical imaging and protein-binding detection
- Contribute to experimental design, data collection and analysis, and co-author papers and conference talks
- Collaborate with UTC teams and external partners, and mentor graduate and undergraduate students
What UTC is looking for
- A PhD in physics, electrical engineering or a related field by the start date
- A strong experimental or theoretical background in quantum optics or atomic physics
- Proficiency in data analysis and programming (e.g. Python, MATLAB)
Nice to have
- Experience with squeezed light and photonic or atomic quantum systems
- Hands-on free-space or fibre optics
- Familiarity with machine learning (e.g. LSTM)
Pay and location
The UTC page does not give a salary or closing date. Contact details and application instructions are on the UTC Quantum Center’s postdoctoral page.
How to apply
Apply through the official UTC job posting. UTC’s posting does not give a closing date, so the role is open until filled; ResearchJobs.in will re-check this listing on 14 October 2026. The UTC Quantum Center asks interested candidates to contact the group directly, as described on its page. Check the posting for location and work-authorisation details before you apply.
See all our quantum technology jobs, or browse more research jobs on ResearchJobs.in.
Hiring institution: University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Official advertisement: www.utc.edu
How to prepare for this application
- Read Tian Li's recent papers on squeezed light and quantum networking.
- Show a fibre or free-space optics experiment you ran and the data analysis behind it.
- If you have used machine learning on experimental data, highlight it.
- Contact Dr. Li as the UTC page describes, with your CV and a short research statement.
About the UTC Quantum Center
The Quantum Center at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga works on quantum networking, quantum sensing, quantum control and quantum algorithms, and runs a metro-scale quantum communication testbed with partners including Oak Ridge National Laboratory and local industry.
