Assistant Research Scientist (PREP0004122) - #Faculty

Johns Hopkins University; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Johns Hopkins Universitys PREP Research Associate position supports collaborative research with NIST on advanced frequency synthesis and phase noise metrology. The role blends analog RF front-ends with FPGA-based DSP, requiring FPGA proficiency, Altium, and MATLAB/LabVIEW/Python coding.

Responsibilities include designing synthesizers, performing metrology, PCB design, firmware, and reporting results. The project targets integration of high-performance analog and digital measurement systems to

Qualifications

• High level skill in RF/microwave signal analysis and system design.
• Experience with phase-locked loops and high-frequency instrumentation.
• Proficiency in FPGA-based measurement systems and HDL workflows.
• Strong programming ability in MATLAB, LabVIEW and Python.

Responsibilities

• Design and construct low phase frequency synthesizers and oscillators.
• Amplitude and phase noise metrology.
• PCB layout and design of measurement system circuits.
• Develop FPGA based measurement system firmware.
• Present results at internal meetings and with external stakeholders.
• Ensure results, protocols, software, and documentation are archived and accessible.

Skills

RF/microwave signal analysis

phase locked loops

FPGA with Xilinx ZynQ

Altium Designer

MATLAB

LabVIEW

Python

Education

Bachelor's, Master's or PhD in STEM

Tools

Xilinx ZynQ FPGA

Altium Designer

Job description

PREP Research Associate

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards (NIST) Professional Research Experience (PREP) program. NIST recognizes

that its research staff may wish to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest, thus

requires that such institutions must be the recipient of a PREP award. The PREP program requires staff from a wide range of

backgrounds to work on scientific research in many areas. Employees in this position will perform technical work that underpins the

scientific research of the collaboration.

Research Title:

Advanced Low-Noise Frequency Synthesis and Phase Noise Metrology

The work will entail:

The primary objective of this project is two-fold: first, to innovate low-phase and amplitude noise frequency synthesis

techniques spanning from radio frequencies to the optical regime; and second, to develop advanced analog and digital

measurement systems for precise phase and time characterization. This capability is vital to the NIST mission, enabling the

creation of sophisticated instrumentation with significantly lower noise floors and higher throughput--essential

requirements for characterizing next-generation atomic clocks and ultra-low-noise oscillators.

To achieve these rigorous performance standards, the work requires a synergistic approach that bridges the analog and digital

domains. The research will focus on integrating high-performance analog front-ends--critical for signal purity--with modern

FPGA-based digital signal processing. By leveraging the low-noise characteristics of precision analog design alongside the

flexibility of digital analysis, this project aims to create robust measurement architectures that outperform traditional singledomain

solutions.

Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

Design and construct low phase frequency synthesizers and oscillators

Amplitude and phase noise metrology

PCB layout and design of measurement system circuits

Develop FPGA based measurement system firmware

Presenting results at internal meetings, and occasional meetings with external stakeholders

Ensuring that results, protocols, software, and documentation have been archived or otherwise transmitted to the larger

organization

U.S. Citizen Preferred

Bachelor's, Master's or PhD degree in a STEM discipline

High level skill in RF/microwave signal analysis and system design

Experience in phase locked loops

Proficiency in FPGA with Xilinx ZynQ

Proficiency in Altium Designer

Familiarity with phase noise metrology is advantageous

Ability to code with, or learn to code with: MATLAB, LabView, and Python is required

Salary: $50,000 - $90,000

Privacy Act Statement

Authority: 15 U.S.C. § 278g-1(e)(1) and (e)(3) and 15 U.S.C. § 272(b) and (c)

Purpose: The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) hosts the Professional Research Experience Program

(PREP) which is designed to provide valuable laboratory experience and financial assistance to undergraduates, post-bachelor's

degree holders, graduate students, master's degree holders, postdocs, and faculty.

PREP is a 5-year cooperative agreement between NIST laboratories and participating PREP Universities to establish a collaborative

research relationship between NIST and U.S. institutions of higher education in the following disciplines including (but may not be

limited to) biochemistry, biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, engineering, electronics, materials science, mathematics,

nanoscale science, neutron science, physical science, physics, and statistics. This collection of information is needed to facilitate

administrative functions of the PREP Program.

Routine Uses: NIST will use the information collected to perform the requisite reviews of the applications to determine eligibility,

and to meet programmatic requirements. Disclosure of this information is also subject to all the published routine uses as identified

in the Privacy Act System of Records Notices: NIST-1: NIST Associates.

Disclosure: Furnishing this information is voluntary. When you submit the form, you are indicating your voluntary consent for NIST

to use of the information you submit for the purpose stated.

Salary Range

The referenced salary range represents the minimum and maximum salaries for this position and is based on Johns Hopkins University's good faith belief at the time of posting. Not all candidates will be eligible for the upper end of the salary range. The actual compensation offered to the selected candidate may vary and will ultimately depend on multiple factors, which may include the successful candidate's geographic location, skills, work experience, internal equity, market conditions, education/training and other factors, as reasonably determined by the University.

Total Rewards

Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package that supports our employees' health, life, career and retirement. More information can be found here: https://hr.jhu.edu/benefits-worklife/.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Johns Hopkins University is committed to equal opportunity for its faculty, staff, and students. To that end, the university does not discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, marital status, pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status or other legally protected characteristics. The university is committed to providing qualified individuals access to all academic and employment programs, benefits and activities on the basis of demonstrated ability, performance and merit without regard to personal factors or demographic characteristics that are irrelevant to the program involved.

Pre-Employment Information

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Background Checks

After receiving a conditional offer, the successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check including education verification. When deciding whether a candidate's conviction history is job-disqualifying, the University considers the nature and gravity of the offense, the time that has passed since the conviction, and the nature of the job being sought.

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Vaccine Requirements

Johns Hopkins University strongly encourages, but no longer requires, at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. This change does not apply to the School of Medicine (SOM). SOM hires must be fully vaccinated with an FDA COVID-19 vaccination and provide proof of vaccination status. We still require all faculty, staff, and students to receive the seasonal flu vaccine.

Exceptions to the seasonal flu vaccine or COVID-19 vaccine (for SOM) requirement(s) may be provided to individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs or medical conditions that preclude them from receiving the vaccine. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry. For additional information, applicants for SOM positions should visit https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/ and all other JHU applicants should visit https://covidinfo.jhu.edu/health-safety/covid-vaccination-information/.

The following additional vaccine requirements may apply, depending upon your campus. Please contact the hiring department for more information.

The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those candidates who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.

Job Type: Full Time