Postdoctoral Fellow (PREP0004165)

Johns Hopkins University; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore is seeking a PREP Research Associate to support scientific research within the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The ideal candidate will have a PhD in experimental condensed matter physics and significant experience in scanning probe instrumentation and metrology.

Key responsibilities include developing new instrumentation, supporting ongoing experiments, and presenting results. A preference for U.S. citizens applies. The university is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Qualifications

• Five years of experience designing and building STM and AFM systems operating in ultra-low temperatures.
• Experience in developing LabVIEW VIs for spectroscopic mapping.
• Experience in Python programming for instrumentation control.

Responsibilities

• Develop novel instrumentation for scanning probe microscopy.
• Support ongoing operations of scanning probe microscopy experiments.
• Present results at internal and stakeholder meetings.

Skills

Designing and building STM/AFM systems

Python programming

LabVIEW programming

3D CAD design using Creo

Molecular beam epitaxy growth

Education

PhD in experimental condensed matter physics or related field

Tools

Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM)

Atomic force microscopy (AFM)

Cryogenic systems

Job description

PREP Research Associate

Position is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Professional Research Experience Program (PREP). NIST welcomes collaboration with academic institutions and this role supports scientific research within the NIST research staff.

Research Title: Scanning probe instrumentation and metrology specialist

Work involved sits at the frontier of experimental condensed matter physics, combining scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), electron transport, and electron spin resonance. The work is carried out in a dedicated research group – see https://www.nist.gov/pml/nanoscale-device-characterization-division/nanoscale-processes-and-measurements-group/scanning for more information.

U.S. Citizen Preferred.

Key responsibilities include:

• Develop novel instrumentation for scanning probe microscopy.
• Support ongoing operations of scanning probe microscopy experiments.
• Present results at internal meetings and occasional external stakeholder meetings.
• Ensure that results, protocols, software, and documentation are archived or otherwise transmitted to the larger organization.

Qualifications:

• A PhD degree in experimental condensed matter physics or a related field.
• Five years of experience designing and building STM and AFM operating in ultra‑low temperatures (10 mK), ultra‑high vacuum (UHV), and high magnetic fields (0‑15 T). This includes:
  • Building piezo‑electric motors and scanners operating from 10 mK to 300 K.
  • Designing and building multi‑contact sample and probe holders.
  • Assembling AFM qPlus sensors.
  • Preparation of atomically sharp probe tips for STM and AFM.
  • Characterization and treatment of STM probe tips with a field ion microscope (FIM).
  • Detailing wiring of STM and AFM modules with thorough documentation.
  • Testing and debugging STM and AFM instruments for electrical and vibrational noise.
• Five years of experience integrating multi‑modal measurements (STM, AFM, electrical transport) in a single system operating at ultra‑low temperatures and in UHV.
• Five years of experience designing and constructing cryogenic preamplifiers for STM and AFM.
• Five years of experience building UHV vacuum chambers and transfer systems.
• Five years of experience wiring and operating dilution refrigerators.
• Five years of experience building gas handling systems for dilution refrigerators.
• Five years of experience designing, fabricating, and testing RF filters to operate in a dilution refrigerator at ultra‑low temperatures and in UHV.
• Five years of experience in molecular beam epitaxy growth of 2D materials, van der Waals materials, and superconductors.
• Research experience in 2D materials (e.g., graphene‑based heterostructures) with at least one related publication.
• Research experience in superconducting materials with at least one related publication.
• Five years of experience developing and programming LabVIEW VIs for spectroscopic mapping of STM and AFM on the Nanonis SPM platform.
• Five years of experience developing and programming LabVIEW VIs for instrument control, including dilution refrigerator and superconducting magnet systems.
• Five years of experience in Python programming for instrumentation control and data analysis.
• Five years of experience in 3D CAD design using Creo Elements Direct Modeling.
• Five years of experience maintaining helium recovery systems and operating lithium liquefiers.
• Five years of experience handling cryogens, including liquid helium transfer.
• Five years of experience in 2D and 3D scientific illustration for publication in journals and public media.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The National Institute of Standards and Technology is committed to equal opportunity and does not discriminate based on sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. Qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.