What are the responsibilities and job description for the Postbaccalaureate Researcher position at St. Olaf College?
Job Description
Position Title: Postbaccalaureate Researcher.
Department: Physics.
Classification: Non-Exempt.
FTE: 1.0.
Work Schedule: The standard 40-hour work schedule is Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.
Salary Range: $21 – $23.
Position Overview
The Physics Department at St. Olaf College invites applications for a two-month position of Postbaccalaureate Researcher beginning July 2026 (negotiable). The candidate will work to develop scientific expertise in applications of quantum computing to theoretical nuclear physics. The job will involve close collaborations with undergraduate students already working on related research questions.
The candidate should have a Bachelor of Arts (preferably in Physics) and interest in physics and mathematics. The ideal candidate will be familiar with quantum mechanics and linear algebra (preferably also Dirac Notation).
Essential Job Duties
Join Our Community - Work at St. Olaf!
Founded in 1874, St. Olaf College is a residential, coeducational liberal arts college with approximately 3,000 students and 800 faculty and staff. The college is located on a picturesque 300-acre campus in Northfield, Minnesota, a vibrant, historic river town of 20,000 located 45 minutes south of culturally rich and diverse Minneapolis and St. Paul.
The college offers an academically rigorous, nationally ranked liberal arts education that fosters the development of the whole person in mind, body, and spirit and emphasizes learning in an inclusive and globally engaged community. We encourage applications from candidates committed to multicultural understanding and the enrichment of our diverse community.
The college offers a comprehensive benefits package, including a 9% retirement match, contributions to eligible employees' health savings accounts, a significant tuition discount (up to a 90% reduction) at ACM, GLCA, and ELCA colleges and universities for employees' children, and generous paid time off. For a full review of the college's benefits, please see the summary of our benefits here: https://wp.stolaf.edu/hr/benefits/
To provide a safe and secure educational environment, St. Olaf College verifies the accuracy of all credentials presented by applicants and conducts a criminal background check on every new hire.
A summary of the Flexible Work Policy for staff: https://wp.stolaf.edu/hr/flexible-work-policy/
A link to our Community and Belonging page: https://wp.stolaf.edu/equity-inclusion/
A virtual campus tour: https://www.stolaf.edu/multimedia/play/?p=483
An overview of Northfield: https://wp.stolaf.edu/admissions/visit/northfield/
An overview of the Twin Cities: https://wp.stolaf.edu/admissions/visit/twincities/
For Staff Application Assistance
hrstaff@stolaf.edu
507-786-3068
For Faculty Application Assistance
facultysearch@stolaf.edu
507-786-3356
Nondiscrimination Policy
St. Olaf College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, creed, national origin, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, marital status, veteran status, or status with regard to public assistance. St. Olaf College prohibits discrimination and harassment based upon these and any other legally protected status in any education program or activity that it operates, including in admissions and employment.
Inquiries about this nondiscrimination policy may be referred to St. Olaf College's Director of Equal Opportunity, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, or both. St. Olaf's Director of Equal Opportunity (who serves as the College's Title IX, Title VI, and Section 504 Coordinator) is Pamela McDowell, Tomson Hall, mcdowell@stolaf.edu , (507) 786-3465.
Position Title: Postbaccalaureate Researcher.
Department: Physics.
Classification: Non-Exempt.
FTE: 1.0.
Work Schedule: The standard 40-hour work schedule is Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.
Salary Range: $21 – $23.
Position Overview
The Physics Department at St. Olaf College invites applications for a two-month position of Postbaccalaureate Researcher beginning July 2026 (negotiable). The candidate will work to develop scientific expertise in applications of quantum computing to theoretical nuclear physics. The job will involve close collaborations with undergraduate students already working on related research questions.
The candidate should have a Bachelor of Arts (preferably in Physics) and interest in physics and mathematics. The ideal candidate will be familiar with quantum mechanics and linear algebra (preferably also Dirac Notation).
Essential Job Duties
- Scientific Research.
- Conduct scientific research on quantum computing under supervision.
- Communicate findings and discuss challenges and future pathways .
- Travel to Brookhaven National Laboratory (Upton, NY) to develop an understanding of computational infrastructure.
- Research Mentorship.
- Conduct regular research meetings with undergraduate students (Spring semester and summer).
- Assist students in planning research direction for assigned projects.
- Support, respect, and commit to embracing diverse backgrounds, values, and points of view to build a strong and inclusive community.
- Complete and meet deadlines for required training and performance management cycle.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Reports to the Associate Professor of Physics.
- This position supervises student workers.
- Education:
- Bachelor of Arts and Sciences.
- Experience:
- Programming experience in Python.
- Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in physics.
- Experience:
- Preferred level of experience or specific experience.
- Research experience in quantum computing and knowledge of IBM Qiskit.
- Experience with Dirac Notation.
- Employment in this position is conditioned upon successful completion of a background check which may include: criminal background checks, reference checks, verification of work history, verification of any required academic credentials, licenses, and/or certifications, a motor vehicle check, verification of DOT certification, a credit check, employment eligibility verification, and/or a pre-employment physical. Whether a background check is deemed successfully completed will be at the sole discretion of St. Olaf College.Please note, St. Olaf College reserves the right to conduct periodic background checks at its sole discretion.
- This position may require you to report early, stay late or work different shifts depending on staffing levels. It may also require you to perform all essential job functions whenever needed and during campus emergencies when necessary.
- This job description is for general information purposes.It is not intended to list all duties and responsibilities of the position.This job description is subject to change at any time by St. Olaf College, with or without prior notice.
- Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the hire is complete. We accept only online applications.
Join Our Community - Work at St. Olaf!
Founded in 1874, St. Olaf College is a residential, coeducational liberal arts college with approximately 3,000 students and 800 faculty and staff. The college is located on a picturesque 300-acre campus in Northfield, Minnesota, a vibrant, historic river town of 20,000 located 45 minutes south of culturally rich and diverse Minneapolis and St. Paul.
The college offers an academically rigorous, nationally ranked liberal arts education that fosters the development of the whole person in mind, body, and spirit and emphasizes learning in an inclusive and globally engaged community. We encourage applications from candidates committed to multicultural understanding and the enrichment of our diverse community.
The college offers a comprehensive benefits package, including a 9% retirement match, contributions to eligible employees' health savings accounts, a significant tuition discount (up to a 90% reduction) at ACM, GLCA, and ELCA colleges and universities for employees' children, and generous paid time off. For a full review of the college's benefits, please see the summary of our benefits here: https://wp.stolaf.edu/hr/benefits/
To provide a safe and secure educational environment, St. Olaf College verifies the accuracy of all credentials presented by applicants and conducts a criminal background check on every new hire.
A summary of the Flexible Work Policy for staff: https://wp.stolaf.edu/hr/flexible-work-policy/
A link to our Community and Belonging page: https://wp.stolaf.edu/equity-inclusion/
A virtual campus tour: https://www.stolaf.edu/multimedia/play/?p=483
An overview of Northfield: https://wp.stolaf.edu/admissions/visit/northfield/
An overview of the Twin Cities: https://wp.stolaf.edu/admissions/visit/twincities/
For Staff Application Assistance
hrstaff@stolaf.edu
507-786-3068
For Faculty Application Assistance
facultysearch@stolaf.edu
507-786-3356
Nondiscrimination Policy
St. Olaf College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, creed, national origin, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, marital status, veteran status, or status with regard to public assistance. St. Olaf College prohibits discrimination and harassment based upon these and any other legally protected status in any education program or activity that it operates, including in admissions and employment.
Inquiries about this nondiscrimination policy may be referred to St. Olaf College's Director of Equal Opportunity, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, or both. St. Olaf's Director of Equal Opportunity (who serves as the College's Title IX, Title VI, and Section 504 Coordinator) is Pamela McDowell, Tomson Hall, mcdowell@stolaf.edu , (507) 786-3465.
Salary : $21 - $23