Senior Quantum Information Processing Physicist

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST); Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) invites applications for a Senior Quantum Information Processing Physicist in the Time & Frequency Division to lead experimental work with trapped ions and guide the group's scientific direction.

The successful candidate will design and execute experiments, mentor students, and contribute to advancing quantum information processing and precision measurement within PML's Ion Storage Group.

Qualifications

• BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Degree: physics; or related degree that included at least 24 semester hours in physics.
• Courses must include a fundamental course in general physics and two of the following: electricity and magnetism, heat, light, mechanics, modern physics, or sound.
• ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: at least 1 year of specialized experience at GS-12 level (ZP-III at NIST) in trapped ions, lasers/optics, and mentoring, including volunteer experience per OPM standards.

Responsibilities

• Carry out experimental investigations on quantum information processing using trapped atomic ions.
• Help set the overall research direction for trapped ion QIP efforts.
• Conceive and implement research goals using trapped ion apparatus, including design, data taking, and analysis.

Skills

Trapped ions

Quantum sensing

Lasers & optics

Student mentoring

Experimental design

Education

Physics degree with 24 hours physics

Job description

Summary

NIST's Time & Frequency Division is hiring a Senior Quantum Information Processing Physicist to lead cutting-edge experimental research in trapped-ion quantum information processing and help shape the scientific direction of the group. This notice is issued under direct-hire authority to recruit new talent to occupations for which NIST has a severe shortage of candidates.

Duties

NIST's Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML) sets the definitive U.S. standards for nearly every kind of measurement employed in commerce and research, spanning more than 20 orders of magnitude. This position is in PML's Ion Storage Group, which works on a wide range of topics in experimental quantum information science and precision measurement.

• Carry out a wide range of experimental investigations on quantum information processing using trapped atomic ions.
• Help to set overall research direction for the group's scientific efforts in trapped ion quantum information processing.
• Conceive and implement scientific research goals using trapped ion apparatus, including experimental conception and design, data taking, data analysis.

Qualifications

• BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Degree: physics; or related degree that included at least 24 semester hours in physics; OR 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, and sound.
• ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: In addition to the basic requirements above, applicants must possess one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level (ZP-III at NIST.) Specialized experience is defined as ALL of the following:
• Experience with trapped atomic ions for quantum information processing and quantum sensing.
• Experience with lasers, optics, and ultra-high vacuum systems.
• Experience mentoring students on scientific research projects.
• 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.