Quantum Physicist

National Institute of Standards and Technology • Gaithersburg, MD

5d

About The Position

NIST’s Atom Scale Device Group seeks a physicist to develop and apply scanning tunneling methods to fabricate atom-scale solid-state quantum devices, conduct low-temperature measurements, and optimize protocols and device performance for quantum computing and simulation. The work supports the mission of NIST’s Nanoscale Device Characterization Division to advance measurement and knowledge infrastructure for characterizing nano- and atom-scale engineered materials and solid-state devices for information processing, sensing, and future quantum technologies.

The position is recruited under direct-hire authority for occupations in which NIST has a severe shortage of candidates. It is covered by NIST’s Alternative Personnel Management System (APMS), a pay-for-performance system. A trial period may be required. The position has an education requirement, and transcripts must be submitted to validate that requirement. Unofficial transcripts are accepted with the application; an official transcript is required before a final offer. Foreign education must be evaluated by an accredited organization for U.S. comparability, with a course-by-course evaluation submitted with the application.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens, and males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service. The position must be suitable for Federal employment. It is not a bargaining-unit position. Applicants must select at least one eligibility to be considered. The announcement notes that applications may be shared with other selecting officials and, with the applicant’s opt-in, with certain Department of Commerce bureaus or offices with comparable vacancies.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• Must be suitable for Federal employment.
• A degree in physics or a related degree including at least 24 semester hours in physics; alternatively, courses equivalent to a physics major totaling at least 24 semester hours plus appropriate experience or additional education. The coursework must include fundamental general physics and courses in at least two of electricity and magnetism, heat, light, mechanics, modern physics, or sound.
• In addition to the basic education requirement, must meet at least one of the following: one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-9 (ZP-II at NIST), a master's or equivalent graduate degree, or a combination of graduate education and specialized experience.
• Specialized experience, if used to qualify, is experience with scanning tunneling metrology and low-temperature measurements of quantum materials.
• Transcripts must be submitted to validate the education requirement. Unofficial transcripts may be included in the application, but an official transcript is required before a final offer.
• Foreign education used for qualifications must be evaluated by an accredited organization for comparability to U.S. education, and a course-by-course evaluation must be submitted.
• Must select at least one eligibility to be considered for the position.

Responsibilities

• Develop and apply scanning tunneling microscopy methods to fabricate atom-scale solid-state quantum devices for evaluation in quantum computing and simulation.
• Conduct low-temperature electrical and physical measurements to evaluate and characterize fabricated quantum devices.
• Design and refine specialized tools, methodologies, and experimental protocols to improve device fabrication yield, reproducibility, and operational performance.
• Research, interpret, and apply scientific literature precedents and guiding physical principles to analyze device data and resolve complex technical obstacles.
• Plan and execute complex experimental tasks with limited supervision.
• Collaborate within a multidisciplinary team to advance major goals in quantum information science.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to eligible employees and their families.
• NIST offers work-life flexibilities to help employees balance responsibilities at home and at work.
• APMS pay-for-performance system with human-resources flexibilities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level