Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens and Status Candidates (this includes Status Candidates, Former Overseas Employees, CTAP, ICTAP, 30% or More Disabled, EVHO, Schedule A, Military Spouses, Americorps, Peace Corps, Vista, Interchange Agreement Eligibles, and National Guard).

NIST's Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML) sets the definitive U.S. standards for nearly every kind of measurement employed in commerce and research, sometimes across more than 20 orders of magnitude. This position is in PML's Quantum Sensors Division, whose mission is to build the metrological foundation for emerging electronic, magnetic, and photonic technologies. They achieve this by developing high-precision measurement devices, systems, standards, and methodologies and applying them to address national needs.

If hired for this position, you will:

• Lead the end-to-end development of ultra-high performance superconducting sensors and integrated circuits, managing everything from micro-fabrication to device characterization at millikelvin temperatures.
• Drive technical innovation in micro- and nano-fabrication by developing novel processes and device architectures that expand the Division's facility capabilities and meet critical program deliverables.
• Expertly manage advanced fabrication tools, maintaining senior-level proficiency in photolithography, vacuum systems, plasma processing, and wet chemistry to ensure high-precision results.
• Spearhead strategic process improvements, overseeing yield optimization, failure analysis, and the integration of superconducting devices with advanced readout systems to ensure the success of large-scale research programs.

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

To qualify, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 (or ZT-IV at NIST) or higher in ALL of the following areas:

• Experience in micro- or nano-fabrication of ultra-low temperature superconducting sensors or circuits, including the conception, development, and optimization of novel fabrication processes.
• Experience using and troubleshooting photolithography, vacuum, plasma, and wet chemical processing techniques and tools in a Class 100 cleanroom.
• Experience leading or significantly contributing to multi-disciplinary projects, mentoring or guiding junior staff on best practices, and influencing fabrication strategy, facility capabilities, or research direction.
• Experience applying advanced diagnostic, metrology, and materials characterization techniques to superconducting sensors, circuits, and/or microwave devices to establish process control methodologies and improve device yield and reproducibility.

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

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: You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. 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. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

Subject Matter Experts may be used for qualification determinations. If the minimum qualifications and eligibility requirements are met, your application will be rated and ranked among others, based on your responses to the online questions regarding your experience, education, training, performance appraisals, or awards relevant to the duties of the position. Your rating may be lowered if your responses in the online questions are not supported by the education and/or experience described in your application. To preview the questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12966261

Rating: Applications will be assessed on the following competencies:

• Computers
• Electronics
• Physics
• Technology Application

Structured Resume Review. Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) will 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. Applicants passing the structured resume review will move to the next phase of the assessment process.

Referral: If you are among the top-qualified candidates, your application may be referred to a selecting official for consideration. You may be required to participate in a selection interview. You will be referred based on your eligibility (e.g., Merit candidate, veterans' preference, etc.). Please review the Evaluation Process on how applicants are review and referred based upon how they wish to be considered for the position.

Rule of Many Rating Procedures:
Applicants are ranked in score order based on their assessment rating plus Veterans preference points, as applicable. All applicants with a score of 90 or higher, including Veterans preference points, will be referred to the hiring official.

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 submit proof of eligibility (See REQUIRED DOCUMENTS SECTION) and 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.

The documents required 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, 2) vacancy question responses, 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 the 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.

Reinstatement: If you are a former federal employee (separated from Federal service for at least 1 year) and wish to be non-competitively reinstated for a higher grade or full performance level than which you left federal employment, you MUST provide a copy of your separation SF-50 (the "position occupied" block on the SF-50 should show a "1" and your "tenure" block should show a "1" or "2") AND the last performance appraisal you received from your federal employment which shows at least a fully successful rating.

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