Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Research Scientist 1

Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Ph.D. in Physics or a closely related field
  • Minimum of two years postdoctoral research experience
  • Strong background in theoretical and computational physics
  • Ability to apply methods like machine learning and numerical optimization
  • Preferred experience in quantum computing or photonics
  • History of peer-reviewed publications in relevant fields

Responsibilities

  • Participate in design, development, and execution of machine-learning-assisted research projects
  • Conduct theoretical and computational analyses of quantum systems
  • Interpret and apply research methodologies based on analysis outcomes
  • Author and co-author research findings for publication
  • Present research findings at meetings and conferences
  • Prepare periodic progress reports for project sponsors
  • Provide technical guidance to students and researchers on related projects

Benefits

  • Opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in quantum systems
  • Collaboration with a broad research team
  • Access to present findings at prestigious conferences
  • Development of technical mentoring skills
  • Engagement with emerging technologies in AI and quantum computing
Full Job Description
Posting Description
RESEARCH SCIENTIST 1, Research Laboratory of Electronics , participates and may contribute the design, development, and execution of research projects on machine-learning-assisted design and AI-driven optimization of quantum systems, in collaboration with the broader research team. In collaboration with PI, conducts theoretical and computational analysis of quantum photonic/hardware systems; interprets and implements research methodology based on analysis outcomes; authors and co-authors research results for peer-reviewed journals and conferences; prepares and presents findings at lab meetings, seminars, and research conferences; prepares periodic progress reports on research project phases for sponsors. May provide technical guidance to graduate students, UROP students, and postdoctoral researchers on projects related to AI-assisted quantum system design.

Job Requirements
REQUIRED : Ph.D. in Physics or a closely related field; a minimum of two years of postdoctoral research experience; strong background in theoretical and computational physics, with demonstrated ability to transition methods (e.g., machine learning, numerical optimization) across research domains. PREFERRED : Experience with quantum computing, quantum information science, or quantum photonics; experience applying machine-learning or AI-driven optimization methods to physical/engineering systems; or strong record of peer-reviewed publications.

No regular travel required; occasional travel for conferences

8/3/2026

About Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU) and is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity". The university is known for its strong emphasis on scientific and technological research and its engineering programs. MIT was founded in 1861 and has a long history of innovation and entrepreneurship. The university has produced numerous Nobel laureates, Rhodes Scholars, and MacArthur Fellows.
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