Research Intern
US$35 – US$50 / hr base salary
Posted 14 Sep 2026
Advertised as “Research Intern: Scalable Fabrication of Superconducting Quantum Devices”
BranchFactor Summary
The original posting with the fluff stripped out
- Management level
- Individual contributor
- Employment
- On-Site
- Contract
- Internship
| Base salary | US$35 – US$50 / hr |
|---|
Rigetti is seeking a motivated research intern to support superconducting qubit fabrication at Mevell NanoLab cleanroom at UC Berkeley. The intern will work closely with scientists and engineers on the design and fabrication of superconducting qubits, with an emphasis on scalable nanofabrication processes and device development. Fabricated devices will be measured and compared at Rigetti to inform process development.
What You'll Learn
The intern will gain hands-on experience in the complete fabrication workflow for superconducting quantum circuits, including device layout, nanofabrication, microscopy, and process optimization. They will work alongside experienced researchers developing scalable fabrication technologies for quantum integrated circuits and contribute directly to advancing superconducting quantum hardware.
Responsibilities
-
Fabricate superconducting qubits and Josephson tunnel junctions in a cleanroom environment. This includes:
-
Prepare, edit, and verify CAD layout files.
-
Develop and optimize lithography processes.
-
Operate and assist with plasma etching processes (ICP/RIE).
-
Electrical and structural characterization of fabricated structures.
-
Analyze fabrication data to identify process trends and improve yield and uniformity.
-
Document experimental procedures, process results, and design iterations.
-
Collaborate with scientists and process engineers to improve the scalability and reproducibility of superconducting qubit fabrication.
Required Qualifications
-
Hands-on experience working in a semiconductor or nanofabrication cleanroom.
-
Demonstrated experience with one or more lithography techniques, including photolithography or electron-beam lithography.
-
Demonstrated experience with dry etching techniques such as ICP and RIE.
-
Fluent in one or more CAD layouts using GDSII-based tools (e.g., KLayout, LayoutEditor, Cadence, L-Edit, or similar).
-
Strong experimental skills and attention to detail.
-
Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively in a fast-paced research environment.
Preferred Qualifications
-
Current or past membership with Marvell Nanolab cleanroom at UC Berkeley.
-
Experience with AlOx Josephson junctions.
-
Training in electrical engineering, materials science, physics, or related fields.