Research Bio

Kater Murch is a physicist focusing on quantum technologies in fabricated quantum systems, open quantum systems and dissipation engineering, and quantum sensing applications. His lab utilizes superconducting circuits to explore fundamental questions in quantum information, develops novel platforms like single electrons trapped on solid neon, and applies quantum sensors to searches for dark matter. As co-director of the Center for Quantum Leaps at WashU, Kater helped establish collaborative quantum research spanning multiple schools. He also co-founded Gateway Quantum Technologies in 2023 and Facet Lab in 2025, advancing quantum technology commercialization.

Kater has received several awards including the Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship in Physics, the St. Louis Academy of Science Innovation Award, the Cottrell Scholar Award, an NSF CAREER Award, the Experimental Physics Investigator Award from the Moore Foundation, and an outstanding reviewer award from APS.

He is Professor of Physics and of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences at UC Berkeley. 

Research Expertise and Interest

open quantum systems and non-hermitian physics, quantum sensing and metrology, superconducting quantum circuits, dark matter detection, quantum thermodynamics