Postdoctoral Fellow (PREP0004243)

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

Job summary

The Johns Hopkins University is seeking a PREP Research Associate to contribute to the National Institute of Standards (NIST) Professional Research Experience program. The role involves designing, fabricating, and testing compact atomic spectroscopy devices including atomic clocks and sensors.

Applicants should ideally have a PhD in atomic physics or a related field and experience in laser use and cleanroom fabrication techniques. Preferred qualifications include knowledge of programming languages and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizen – preferred.
• Experience with atomic spectroscopy – preferred.
• Experience with analog and digital electronics – preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design instruments for frequency, magnetic field, and temperature measurements.
• Construct instruments using micromachining and other lab techniques.
• Assess performance via data related to stability and sensitivity.
• Present results at meetings with stakeholders.
• Write research papers on device design and operation.
• Archive results, protocols, and documentation.

Skills

Experience with lasers in the laboratory

Knowledge of programming languages (Python, Matlab or LabView)

Strong oral and written communication skills

Education

PhD in atomic physics, quantum information science, laser science or related field

Tools

Cleanroom fabrication tools

Micromachining equipment

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

Chip‑Scale Atomic Devices

Work Description

The work will entail the design, fabrication and testing of compact devices based on atomic spectroscopy and microfabrication. Devices to be built include atomic clocks, magnetic sensors, current and voltage references, temperature references, wavelength references and photonically‐integrated light‑atom systems. Devices will be designed to achieve specific performance goals such as frequency stability and magnetic sensitivity. They will be fabricated using micromachining of silicon, glass, and other substrates, and will be tested using intrinsic stability/sensitivity noise measurements or by comparison with other clocks/sensors.

Key Responsibilities

• Designing instruments to realize/measure frequency, magnetic field, current, voltage, temperature, or wavelength
• Constructing instruments using micromachining processes and other laboratory fabrication techniques
• Assessing the performance of instruments by taking data related to their stability and sensitivity
• Presenting results at internal meetings and occasional meetings with external stakeholders
• Writing research papers describing device design, construction and operation
• Ensuring that results, protocols, software, and documentation are archived or otherwise transmitted to the larger organization

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizen – preferred
• PhD in atomic physics, quantum information science, laser science or related field – required
• Experience using lasers in the laboratory – required
• Experience with atomic spectroscopy – preferred
• Experience with cleanroom fabrication of silicon devices – preferred
• Experience with analog and digital electronics – preferred
• Knowledge of one or more programming languages such as Python, Matlab or LabView – preferred
• Strong oral and written communication skills – preferred

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Johns Hopkins University is committed to equal opportunity for its faculty, staff, and students. 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.