Associate Research Scientist (PREP0004233)

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 95,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc. is hiring a PREP Research Associate in Gaithersburg, MD, focusing on optical methods for measuring the Heisenberg exchange parameter in the MRAM industry. The position involves collaboration with NIST and includes developing and maintaining measurement systems and analyzing data. Ideal candidates will hold a Ph.D. in Physics or a related field and possess strong skills in magnetic characterization tools and data analysis. Competitive salary of $95,000 - $99,000 offered.

Qualifications

• Several years of post-degree experience in relevant areas is preferred.
• Experience in magnetic nanostructures fabrication is required.
• Familiarity with GPU cluster implementation for data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Design and build optical measurement systems.
• Develop high-speed electronic measurements and analyze data.
• Present results and ensure archived documentation.

Skills

Micromagnetic simulation tools (MuMAX)

Scripting languages (Python)

Data acquisition platforms

Magnetic characterization tools (SQUID, FMR, MOKE)

Advanced data analysis

Communication (oral and written)

Education

Ph.D. in Physics or Electrical Engineering

Tools

MATLAB

Electron-beam lithography

X-ray reflectometry

Job description

Salary

$95,000 - $99,000

Position

PREP Research Associate – CHIPS Funded Project.

Description

This position focuses on developing film‑level optical methods of measuring the Heisenberg exchange parameter in thin films relevant to the magnetic random‑access memory (MRAM) industry. These measurements will be correlated with detailed measurements of device performance made on devices fabricated at NIST, and the correlations will be used to develop better models of device switching. The associate will also work on the development of electrical methods for estimating the attempt time of MRAM bit cells. The associate will work closely with NIST staff, but must be self‑motivated in designing and executing measurements, developing robust data‑analysis methods with proper statistical validation, and reporting results to the group and via publication. This is a fast‑paced, high‑impact, short‑term research position with a maximum duration of 12 months. The position is in‑person located in Boulder, CO.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, build, maintain, and use optical measurement systems based on inelastic light scattering
• Develop high‑speed electronic (microwave) measurements, including pulsed, harmonic, sampled, and real‑time measurement methods using microwave sources, arbitrary waveform generators, and oscilloscopes
• Analyze heterogeneous data sources including optical spectra, read‑ and write‑error rate data streams, real‑time and sampled high‑speed electronic traces
• Analyze temperature‑dependent magnetization data using advanced atomistic fitting models
• Fabricate magnetoelectronic devices using optical and electron‑beam lithography, reactive and physical ion‑etching methods
• Present results at internal meetings and occasional meetings with external stakeholders
• Ensure that results, protocols, software, and documentation have been archived or otherwise transmitted to the larger organization

U.S. Citizen Preferred

Qualifications

• A Ph.D. in Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related field; several years of post‑degree experience in relevant areas preferred
• Experience with the design and fabrication of magnetic nanostructures including magnetron sputter and e‑beam evaporated deposition or molecular beam epitaxy, electron‑beam and photo‑lithography
• Experience with characterization tools including SQUID, Ferromagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, MOKE, X‑ray reflectometry, secondary‑ion mass spectrometry
• Demonstrated experience with micromagnetic simulation tools including MuMAX
• Demonstrated experience in temperature‑dependent magnetic simulations, in particular atomistic simulations of the temperature‑dependence of magnetization
• Experience developing novel data acquisition platforms to acquire DC and RF data at scale
• Familiarity with scripting languages including Python and their implementation on GPU clusters for data analysis
• Ability to develop tools needed to analyze large datasets using Python, MATLAB, or similar programming environments
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Track record of publishing in peer‑reviewed scientific journals

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

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 that are irrelevant to the program involved.