DOC ranked top 5 in the 2023 Best Places to Work among large agencies for the 12th year in a row! This shows our continued commitment to increasing engagement & promoting diversity, equity, accessibility & inclusion. Join our team! NIST works with industry & science to advance innovation & improve quality of life. We're looking for a Physicist to join us! This notice is issued under direct-hire authority to recruit new talent to occupations for which NIST has a severe shortage of candidates.

Duties

NIST's Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML) sets the definitive U.S. standards for nearly every kind of measurement employed in commerce and research, sometimes across more than 20 orders of magnitude. This position is in PML's Quantum Sensors Division, whose mission is to provide the metrological foundation for emerging electronic, magnetic, and photonic technologies by developing high-precision measurement devices, systems, standards, and methodologies and applying them to address national needs. If hired as a Physicist for the Quantum Sensors Division, you will: Lead the integration and operation of a transition-edge sensor (TES) spectrometer for x-ray spectroscopic measurements of the atomic fundamental parameters of elements relevant to the semiconductor industry. Lead the design, testing, and integration of a new, higher-resolution TES array for metrological measurements of emission lines at energies below 1.5 keV. Assist with managing the timeline, ensuring that all project deliverables and milestones are achieved on schedule. Assist with budget management to maintain project spending under budget. Guide instrument and experiment design decisions to achieve sufficient calibration precision to make industry-relevant measurements. Mentor postdoctoral and other early career researchers on CHIPS project team and elsewhere in the Quantum Sensors Division. Collect and analyze x-ray data from NIST-developed transition-edge sensor (TES) spectrometers to be used in the new NIST database of reference data. Communicate and collaborate with CHIPS metrology team members, other NIST teams, and external partners. Present and publish results as appropriate.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Suitable for Federal employment
• Bargaining Unit Position: No

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: Degree: physics; or related degree that included at least 24 semester hours in physics. or Combination of education and experience -- courses equivalent to a major in physics totaling at least 24 semester hours, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In either 1 or 2 above, the courses must have included: a fundamental course in general physics, and, in addition, courses in any two of the following: electricity and magnetism heat light mechanics modern physics sound In addition to the basic requirements, you must also meet the following requirements: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-12 (ZP-III at NIST). Specialized experience is defined as: experience working with cryogenic, superconducting detectors, specifically transition-edge sensor (TES) microcalorimeters. experience with design and operation of cryogenic x-ray spectrometers. experience collecting and analyzing x-ray data, particularly as it pertains to spectroscopy with x-ray microcalorimeters Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook. Applicant Reconsideration

Education

This position has an education requirement. Transcripts must be submitted to validate that the education requirement has been met. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. However, an official copy will be required before a final offer of employment.

Education completed outside of the U.S. must be evaluated by a credential evaluation service to ensure that it is comparable to education received in accredited institutions in the U.S. Click here to view more information about this from the Department of Education's website. A copy of the foreign education evaluation (containing the results with a course-by-course listing) is required with your application.

Contacts

• Address Quantum Electromagnetics Division 100 Bureau Drive Gaithersburg, MD 20899 US
• Name: Tailor Thompson
• Email: [email protected]