Cryogenic Scientist

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST); Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Boulder, CO invites applications for a Cryogenic Scientist in the Quantum Sensors Division. The role focuses on developing and optimizing cryogenic systems for quantum information science, improving cryocooler performance, and exploring new refrigeration technologies through both fundamental and applied research.

The successful candidate will publish results and present at scientific conferences while collaborating with industry and

Qualifications

• Degree in engineering with ABET-accredited program or equivalent, with advanced calculus and engineering science courses.
• Combination of education and experience showing theoretical and practical engineering knowledge.
• 1 year of specialized experience at least GS-9 level or a relevant master's degree.

Responsibilities

• Develop, test, and optimize advanced cryogenic systems for quantum information science.
• Improve cryocooler performance, enhancing efficiency and system capability.
• Advance refrigeration technologies through fundamental and applied research.
• Publish findings in peer‑reviewed journals and present at conferences.

Skills

Cryogenic systems

Cryocooler performance

Research methodology

Education

ABET-accredited engineering program

Engineering fundamentals courses

Job description

Summary

PML's Quantum Sensors Division is hiring a Cryogenic Scientist to develop, test, and optimize advanced cryogenic systems for quantum information science, improve cryocooler performance, advance refrigeration technologies through fundamental and applied research, and publish and present scientific findings. This notice is issued under direct-hire authority to recruit new talent to occupations for which NIST has a severe shortage of candidates.

Duties

The mission of NIST's Quantum Sensors Division is to develop and apply advanced quantum-based photon and particle sensors that enable highly precise measurements across the electromagnetic spectrum. Through pioneering research, collaboration with industry and academia, and innovation in superconducting and cryogenic technologies, the Division advances measurement science in fields ranging from quantum computing and fundamental physics to nuclear science and astronomy.

If hired for this role, your major duties will include:

• Developing, testing, and optimizing advanced cryogenic systems and refrigeration technologies to support quantum information science applications.
• Conducting independent research to improve cryocooler performance, including efficiency, size, weight, power, and overall system capability.
• Performing fundamental and applied research to advance the science of cryogenic refrigeration and develop novel cooling technologies.
• Publishing research findings in peer-reviewed journals and presenting technical results at scientific conferences.

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

• A. Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: statics, dynamics strength of materials (stress-strain relationships) fluid mechanics, hydraulics thermodynamics electrical fields and circuits nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties) and any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
• B. Combination of education and experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: Professional registration or licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions. Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Specified academic courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A. Related curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all-inclusive.)
• IN ADDITION TO THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must also have 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 (ZP-II at NIST) level. Specialized Experience is defined as: Experience researching helium compressors for the purposes of cryogenic refrigeration. Experience performing exergy analyses on complex machines. OR Master's or equivalent graduate degree as defined in the basic requirements. OR A combination of graduate education and specialized experience as defined in the additional requirements.

The qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook. If requesting reconsideration of your qualification determination, please refer to the following site: Applicant Reconsideration