Postdoctoral Research Associate - Scientific Validation of Quantum Simulations
for sections: About the role, Responsibilities, Requirements, Qualifications, Skills, Benefits, Pay, Schedule. Only include sections that have real specific content. We must not repeat job title. Must preserve all substantive info, no boilerplate, no navigation, EEO, etc. Must not include Pay/Schedule/Benefits unless posting actually states them. The posting mentions ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs, lists benefits, but does not give specific pay amount or schedule. It mentions benefits list. So we can include Benefits section with list of benefits. Pay section: not specific salary, just "competitive pay". That's vague; rule says never create Pay section unless posting actually states them. It says "ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs". That's not a specific pay figure; likely we should not create Pay section because it's not specific. Schedule: not mentioned. So omit Pay and Schedule. We need sections: About the role (maybe overview), Responsibilities (Major Duties/Responsibilities), Requirements (Basic Qualifications), Qualifications (Preferred Qualifications), Skills (maybe combine? but we can include Skills if there is content like communication skills etc). The posting includes "Excellent written and oral communication skills." under Preferred Qualifications. Also "Motivated self-starter..." etc. Those could be Skills. We'll create Skills section for those. We also need to include metadata like Requisition Id? The instruction: do NOT put Job ID / requisition numbers as headings — fold minor metadata into a short
or drop it. So we can include a short paragraph at top with Requisition Id 16930 maybe. We must preserve all substantive information: overview, mission, duties, qualifications, preferred qualifications, special requirements (PhD within 5 years, appointment length up to 24 months, letters of recommendation, security requirements, etc). Also include info about ORNL, benefits list. Also include info about application instructions? We must remove application instructions (like how to upload documents) per instruction: remove application instructions. So we should drop the instructions about uploading documents, but we can keep the requirement to submit three letters of reference? That's part of application instructions; maybe we should drop that as well? The instruction says remove application instructions. The letters of reference requirement is part of application; likely we should drop it. However, we need to preserve substantive information; the requirement to submit three letters is part of application process, not substantive job content. So we can drop it. Similarly, security, credentialing, eligibility requirements: that is substantive? It's about eligibility for employment; could be considered substantive. Might keep as part of Requirements or a separate section? Could be part of Requirements (like eligibility). We'll include a short paragraph under Requirements or a separate section? Probably under Requirements as part of eligibility. We must not include boilerplate like EEO, equal opportunity, scam warning, navigation, cookie, legal. So drop those. We must not invent or summarize away detail. Keep details. Let's extract sections: Overview: "We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to advance the scientific validation of quantum simulations for quantum materials. This work directly supports the five-year mission of the ORNL Quantum Science Center (QSC) to establish a quantum-accelerated computing ecosystem for scientific applications. The successful candidate will develop, test, and evaluate the scientific applications by comparing results from quantum simulations directly with experimental measurements and classical simulations of quantum materials. This work will include benchmarking simulations by using reliable classical reference calculations and extending toward more challenging regimes. As part of our team, you will work closely with ORNL staff and external collaborators in quantum computing, condensed-matter physics, neutron scattering, applied mathematics, and scientific computing. This position resides within the Quantum Sensing and Computing Group in the Computational Sciences and Engineering Division (CSED), Computing and Computational Sciences Directorate (CCSD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)." That's About the role. Major Duties/Responsibilities: list bullet points. - Lead the development, testing, and application of rigorous approaches for the evaluation and validation of quantum simulations of quantum materials, including realistic treatment of uncertainty and systematic error across experimental, classical computing, and quantum computing workflows. - Extend the methodology to early fault-tolerant quantum simulations and, ultimately, to classically intractable regimes, establishing the rigorous evidence needed to support credible claims of quantum advantage. - Develop and apply physics-informed AI/ML and digital-twin capabilities to improve modeling, parameter inference, uncertainty assessment, and adaptive feedback between experiments, classical simulations, and quantum simulations. - Collaborate with ORNL staff scientists and external collaborators. - Write peer-reviewed scientific articles and present research findings at major scientific conferences. - Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Basic Qualifications: - A Ph.D. degree in Physics, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline. - Familiarity with quantum computing and/or digital quantum simulation theory and practice. - Familiarity with quantum and classical programming languages and scientific computing. Preferred Qualifications (list bullet points): - Experience developing or implementing quantum algorithms for Hamiltonian simulation. - Background in quantum materials or quantum many-body physics, particularly quantum magnetism and strongly correlated systems, as well as classical methods such as exact diagonalization, tensor networks or DMRG, and quantum Monte Carlo. - Familiarity with inelastic neutron scattering, thermal transport, or related experimental probes, including the effects of instrumental resolution, data reduction, and observable reconstruction. - Experience with uncertainty quantification, covariance modeling, sensitivity and robustness analysis, Bayesian inference, inverse problems, parameter estimation, or model validation. - Experience or strong interest in scientific AI/ML, including surrogate or multi-fidelity modeling, digital twins, generative models, adaptive optimization, or autonomous experiment–simulation workflows. - Excellent written and oral communication skills. - Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory. - Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs. Special Requirements: - Applicants cannot have received their Ph.D. more than five years prior to the date of application and must complete all degree requirements before starting their appointment. - The appointment length will be up to 24 months with the potential for extension. Initial appointments and extensions are subject to performance and availability of funding. Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements: - For employment at ORNL, a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required. Additionally, ORNL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as mandated by HSPD-12 and DOE Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws. - For Foreign National Candidates: If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment. About ORNL: - As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation. - ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience. Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts. We should include Benefits section with that list. We should not include Pay section. We should not include Schedule. We need to output only HTML fragment. Structure:
Requisition Id 16930
About the role
...overview paragraph...
Responsibilities
- ... ...
Requirements
- Ph.D. degree...
- Familiarity with quantum computing...
- Familiarity with quantum and classical programming languages...
Eligibility
but not in allowed list. The allowed headings are About the role, Responsibilities, Requirements, Qualifications, Skills, Benefits, Pay, Schedule. So we must fit content into those. We can put Special Requirements under Requirements as additional bullets. Or we could put under Qualifications? Better to put under Requirements. Qualifications section: Preferred Qualifications. Skills section: communication skills, self-starter, ability to function in fast-paced environment. Benefits section: list of benefits. We need to ensure we don't create empty sections. Let's craft. We'll need to escape any HTML special characters? Not needed. We'll output:Requisition Id 16930
About the role
We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to advance the scientific validation of quantum simulations for quantum materials. This work directly supports the five-year mission of the ORNL Quantum Science Center (QSC) to establish a quantum-accelerated computing ecosystem for scientific applications. The successful candidate will develop, test, and evaluate the scientific applications by comparing results from quantum simulations directly with experimental measurements and classical simulations of quantum materials. This work will include benchmarking simulations by using reliable classical reference calculations and extending toward more challenging regimes. As part of our team, you will work closely with ORNL staff and external collaborators in quantum computing, condensed-matter physics, neutron scattering, applied mathematics, and scientific computing. This position resides within the Quantum Sensing and Computing Group in the Computational Sciences and Engineering Division (CSED), Computing and Computational Sciences Directorate (CCSD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).
Responsibilities
- Lead the development, testing, and application of rigorous approaches for the evaluation and validation of quantum simulations of quantum materials, including realistic treatment of uncertainty and systematic error across experimental, classical computing, and quantum computing workflows.
- Extend the methodology to early fault-tolerant quantum simulations and, ultimately, to classically intractable regimes, establishing the rigorous evidence needed to support credible claims of quantum advantage.
- Develop and apply physics-informed AI/ML and digital-twin capabilities to improve modeling, parameter inference, uncertainty assessment, and adaptive feedback between experiments, classical simulations, and quantum simulations.
- Collaborate with ORNL staff scientists and external collaborators.
- Write peer-reviewed scientific articles and present research findings at major scientific conferences.
- Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities