Intern, R&D (Thin Film Materials)

PsiQuantum’s mission is to build the first useful quantum computers—machines capable of delivering the breakthroughs the field has long promised. Since our founding in 2016, our singular focus has been to build and deploy million-qubit, fault-tolerant quantum systems. 

Quantum computers harness the laws of quantum mechanics to solve problems that even the most advanced supercomputers or AI systems will never reach. Their impact will span energy, pharmaceuticals, finance, agriculture, transportation, materials, and other foundational industries. 

Our architecture and approach is based on silicon photonics. By leveraging the advanced semiconductor manufacturing industry—including partners like GlobalFoundries—we use the same high-volume processes that already produce billions of chips for telecom and consumer electronics. Photonics offers natural advantages for scale: photons don’t feel heat, are immune to electromagnetic interference, and integrate with existing cryogenic cooling and standard fiber-optic infrastructure. 

In 2024, PsiQuantum announced government-funded projects to support the build-out of our first utility-scale quantum computers in Brisbane, Australia, and Chicago, Illinois. These initiatives reflect a growing recognition that quantum computing will be strategically and economically defining—and that now is the time to scale. 

PsiQuantum also develops the algorithms and software needed to make these systems commercially valuable. Our application, software, and industry teams work directly with leading Fortune 500 companies—including Lockheed Martin, Mercedes-Benz, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Mitsubishi Chemical—to prepare quantum solutions for real-world impact. 

Quantum computing is not an extension of classical computing. It represents a fundamental shift—and a path to mastering challenges that cannot be solved any other way. The potential is enormous, and we have a clear path to make it real. 

Come join us. 

Job Summary:

This position reports to the Superconducting Devices Group. Our group designs, fabricates, and tests components that will be integrated into a complete system. We are seeking an R&D Intern, Thin Film Materials to focus on superconducting thin films that enable high-performance superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs). In this role, you will develop and characterize thin film materials, with a key objective of identifying measurable material properties and characterization techniques that reliably predict device performance.

Responsibilities:

• Develop superconducting thin films using deposition and characterization tools at both internal and external facilities.
• Perform bulk and surface characterization (XRD, AFM, SEM, TEM, SIMS, etc.)
• Conduct room temperature and cryogenic electrical characterization of blanket films.
• Correlate material properties with device performance to identify predictive proxies for SNSPD behavior.
• Analyze thin film and device experimental data and maintain clear documentation of processes and results.
• Conduct data analysis, prepare presentations, and document your work.
• Coordinate deposition schedules and material testing with external vendors and partners.
• Actively track wafers in progress and report on their status.

Experience/Qualifications:

• Currently pursuing a M.Sc., or Ph.D in Materials Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related field.
• Experience with deposition techniques such as PVD, CVD, or MBE.
• Strong understanding of thin film metrology and materials characterization.
• Proficient with data analysis tools (Excel, Python, JMP, etc.).
• Strong communication skills.

U.S. Intern Hourly Pay Rate Chart 

PsiQuantum provides equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. PsiQuantum does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable laws.

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