Duties
The mission of NIST's Nanoscale Device Characterization Division is to develop and advance the measurement and knowledge infrastructure to characterize nano- and atom-scale engineered materials and solid-state devices for innovation in information processing, sensing, and future quantum technologies.
If hired as a Quantum Physicist in their Atom Scale Device Group, you will:
- Develop and apply scanning tunneling microscopy methods to fabricate atom-scale solid-state quantum devices for evaluation in quantum computing and simulation.
- Conduct low-temperature electrical and physical measurements to evaluate and characterize the behavior and performance of fabricated quantum devices.
- Design and refine specialized tools, methodologies, and experimental protocols to optimize device fabrication yield, reproducibility, and operational performance.
- Research, interpret, and apply scientific literature precedents and guiding physical principles to analyze device data and resolve complex technical obstacles.
- Plan and execute complex experimental tasks with limited supervision, collaborating within a multidisciplinary team to advance major goals in quantum information science.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- U.S. citizenship
- Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
- Suitable for Federal employment
- Bargaining Unit Position: No
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
- 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
OR
2. Master's or equivalent graduate degree
OR
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
Education
This position has an education requirement. Transcripts must be submitted to validate that the education requirement has been met. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. However, an official copy will be required before a final offer of employment.
Use of foreign education for qualifications. An accredited organization must evaluate education completed outside of the U.S. to ensure that it is comparable to education received in accredited institutions in the U.S. Click here to view a listing of accredited organizations from the Department of Education's website. A copy of the foreign education evaluation (containing the results with course-by-course listing) is required with your application.
Additional information
This position is covered under NIST's Alternative Personnel Management System (APMS), a pay-for-performance system with excellent HR flexibilities to help NIST recruit and retain top talent. Learn more about the APMS here!
- We may share your application package with other selecting officials. Additional selections may be made through this vacancy.
- Click all links in this vacancy announcement to view additional information or instructions.
- You MUST select at least ONE ELIGIBILITY to be considered for this position.
- All documents submitted for this announcement must be legible to make qualification or eligibility determinations.
- A trial period may be required.
NIST strives to build a flexible and encouraging work environment to bring out the best in our employees. To help our employees balance responsibilities at home and at work, NIST offers a variety of work-life flexibilities. For more information, please visit our Careers
website.
Applicants who apply under this Job Opportunity Announcement may opt-in (at their request) to allow the sharing of their resume, cover letter, transcripts, certifications, and other associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Department of Commerce (DOC) Bureaus/Offices who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade and pay band (or its equivalent), and full performance level in the same duty location or commuting area of the duty location listed on the Job Opportunity Announcement. Applicants that apply for General Schedule (GS) positions can be considered for pay band positions under one of the DOC's alternative personnel systems (i.e., Commerce Alternative Personnel System (CAPS), or Alternative Personnel Management System (APMS)) that have the equivalent GS grade level and full performance level, and similarly, CAPS and APMS applicants may be considered for GS positions or one of DOC's alternative personnel systems. Upon acceptance of a position, the employee will be subject to the corresponding pay system (i.e., GS, CAPS or APMS). Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which they wish to receive consideration.Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Please prepare a resume that is no longer than two pages; only the first two pages will be considered during the review process. Ensure your font is 11 points or larger and upload your resume as a .pdf document. This helps ensure your formatting looks exactly the way you intended.
How you will be evaluated: Once the announcement has closed, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed in this announcement. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.
Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) may be used to review your resume to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on the required specialized experience. SMEs will review ONLY two (2) pages of your resume. SMEs will not review additional information beyond your resume.
Applications will be assessed on the following competencies:
- Physics
- Research
- Technology Application
Referral: All applicants may be referred to the selecting official for consideration. Under Direct Hire Authority, applicants are not rated and ranked, and veteran preference does not apply.
CTAP or ICTAP eligibility: If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee eligible for the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP), you must be determined eligible and rated as well-qualified to receive special selection priority. "Well Qualified" means that in addition to meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective placement factor(s), if applicable, you must receive a score of 85 or higher. Please review the following site regarding required documents to support CTAP or ICTAP eligibility and additional information regarding this authority -
CTAP/ICTAP Eligibility
Required Documents
The documents required may vary based on how you're applying (i.e., as a veteran or disabled veteran, current or former Federal employee, etc.). Please review the Required Documents for this position to find out if there are any documents required with your application. Failure to submit required documents, based upon how you apply, may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package.
A complete application includes: 1) A resume (not to exceed two pages), 2) vacancy question responses regarding technical qualifications, and 3) submission of any required documents. Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, or if the documents submitted are illegible you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible).
Resume: All applicants must submit a resume by creating one in USAJOBS or uploading one of their choosing. Please prepare a resume no longer than 2 pages; only the first 2 pages will be considered during the review process. Ensure your font is 11 points or larger and upload your resume as a .pdf document. This helps ensure your formatting looks exactly the way you intended. Cover letters are optional. To receive any credit for relevant experience, please list the month/year and the number of hours worked for experience listed on your resume. We suggest you review the qualification requirements for this position as you may need to customize your resume to ensure that it supports the position qualifications. Please refer to the Resume Guidance on how to build an effective resume.