Senior Scientist - Quantum Materials

Overview

Who we are

Collaborative. Respectful. A place to dream and do. These are just a few words that describe what life is like at Toyota. As one of the world's most admired brands, Toyota is growing and leading the future of mobility through innovative, high-quality solutions designed to enhance lives and delight those we serve. We're looking for talented team members who want to Dream. Do. Grow. with us.

To save time applying, Toyota does not offer sponsorship of job applicants for employment-based visas or any other work authorization for this position at this time.

Who we're looking for

Toyota Research Institute of North America, located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is seeking a Senior Scientist to lead the in-house research on quantum materials. This role will join a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers developing state-of-the-art quantum devices based on cutting-edge materials.

The successful candidate will stay current with emerging trends in novel quantum materials and solid-state quantum emitters, carry out original research, publish and present findings, and actively collaborate with academic partners and national laboratories. Candidates should be comfortable working in a collaborative environment with diverse scientific and engineering teams.

This role blends condensed matter physics and materials science with advanced synthesis, characterization, and atomic-scale simulation to drive fundamental understanding of new materials. Responsibilities will include developing new material systems such as thin films, 2D materials, membranes, topological quantum materials, and hybrid architectures, leveraging advanced synthesis methods including but not limited to MBE, PLD, CVD, and sputtering. A focus of this work is to characterize and understand new phenomena relevant to quantum information science, sensors, catalysis, ion transport, and more.

The position offers a unique opportunity to advance the practical application of quantum materials!

What you'll be doing

• Lead the design, synthesis, and characterization of quantum materials, including color centers, spin defects, and 2D/3D systems for quantum information and sensing.
• Develop and refine material growth and fabrication processes such as CVD, MBE, PVD, ion implantation, and lithography.
• Conduct comprehensive characterizations including PL, ODMR, Raman, XPS, STM, XRD, DLTS, EPR, as well as photoluminescence, ESR/EPR, magnetometry, confocal microscopy, and time-domain measurements (e.g., HBT, Ramsey, Hahn) at both room and cryogenic temperatures to analyze defect properties, formation energies, coherence times (T1/T2), charge transport, and support qubit discovery, quantum memory, and nuclear spin control.
• Collaborate regularly with materials simulation experts and device scientists/engineers to enable trials, demonstrations, and system integration.
• Address emerging technical challenges in the field of materials research.
• Highly self-motivated, with intellectual curiosity, initiative, and a drive to overcome technical challenges.
• Prepare high-impact publications, patent applications, and technical reports; deliver regular updates to the team and management; and present findings at conferences.
• Contribute to defining technical roadmaps and project strategies in alignment with organizational goals.
• Mentor and support junior scientists and lab assistants in the planning and execution of atomic and quantum optics experiments.
• Ability to excel in a fast-paced research environment, prioritize effectively, manage multiple tasks, and adapt to changing requirements is key to being successful.

• Ph.D. in Physical Sciences, Physics, or a closely related discipline.
• 2+ years of postdoctoral academic experience (preferably) or relevant industry background.
• Proven record of innovative, high-impact research demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications and presentations at leading conferences.
• Experience in material synthesis and defect engineering
• Proficiency in characterizing quantum emitters using a variety of optical techniques.

• Expertise in one or more of the following is highly desirable: NV centers, hBN, SiC, rare-earth doped crystals, or 2D materials. A background in experimental quantum or AMO physics - particularly involving light-matter interactions and atomic systems - is a plus.
• Experience in the fabrication of quantum devices or in constructing optical benches for advanced quantum optics experiments.
• Basic knowledge of density function theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation to analyze spin-defect formation and understanding of carrier dynamics.

• A work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect
• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career, as well as tuition reimbursement
• Team Member Vehicle Purchase Discount
• Toyota Team Member Lease Vehicle Program (if applicable)
• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans for your entire family
• Toyota 401(k) Savings Plan featuring a company match, as well as an annual retirement contribution from Toyota regardless of whether you contribute
• Paid holidays and paid time off
• Referral services related to prenatal services, adoption, childcare, schools and more
• Tax Advantaged Accounts (Health Savings Account, Health Care FSA, Dependent Care FSA)
• Relocation assistance (if applicable)