Quantum Physicist

US National Institute of Standards and Technology; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

US National Institute of Standards and Technology seeks a Physicist in the Atom Scale Device Group to develop and apply scanning tunneling methods for fabricating atom-scale solid-state quantum devices. You will perform low-temperature measurements and optimize protocols to improve device performance for quantum computing and simulation.

The position is a direct-hire recruitment to attract talent in a field with a severe shortage of candidates, with emphasis on rigorous physics training and

Qualifications

• Degree in physics or related field with at least 24 semester hours in physics.
• Courses must include a general physics course and any two of: electricity and magnetism, heat, light, mechanics, modern physics, sound.

Responsibilities

• Develop and apply scanning tunneling methods to fabricate atom-scale solid-state quantum devices.
• Conduct low-temperature measurements of quantum materials.
• Optimize protocols and device performance for quantum computing and simulation.

Skills

Scanning tunneling metrology

Low-temperature measurements

Education

Degree in physics (or related with 24+ semester hours in physics)

Job description

NIST's Atom Scale Device Group seeks a Physicist to develop and apply scanning tunneling methods to fabricate atom-scale solid-state quantum devices, conduct low-temperature measurements, and optimize protocols and device performance for quantum computing and simulation. This notice is issued under direct-hire authority to recruit new talent to occupations for which NIST has a severe shortage of candidates.

Basic Requirements:

1. Degree: physics; or related degree that included at least 24 semester hours in physics; OR
2. Combination of education and experience -- courses equivalent to a major in physics totaling at least 24 semester hours, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In either 1 or 2 above, the courses must have included:

• a fundamental course in general physics, and, in addition,
• courses in any two of the following:
  • electricity and magnetism
  • heat
  • light
  • mechanics
  • modern physics
  • sound

In addition to the basic requirements, you must also meet one of the following requirements:

1. One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-9 (ZP-II at NIST). Specialized experience is defined as:
   • Experience with scanning tunneling metrology
   • Experience with low-temperature measurements of quantum materials
2. Master's or equivalent graduate degree
3. A combination of graduate education and specialized experience.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

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