PREP0001953 Postdoc Research Associate in Photonic Thermometry

PREP Research Associate

Opportunity No.: PREP001953

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (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, and 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.

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Postdoctoral Researcher Associate in Photonic Thermometry

The Sensor Science Division at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) seeks several highly motivated postdoctoral researchers to aid the multi-year development of next-generation integrated photonics-based quantum-SI temperature sensors and primary standards on-a-chip. At NIST, you will gain research experience and measurement skills that are highly valuable for a career in academia, industry, or a national laboratory. Different vehicles for employment and salary levels are available depending on the specific opening and the candidate's experience.

PROJECT DETAILS:

Temperature, being one of the most measured physical properties, is vital for almost all areas of science and technology. To address the need for precise and accurate, and yet field-deployable temperature metrology, we are developing cutting-edge technology that can be a superior alternative to legacy resistance thermometers. In particular, we are building an on-chip-integrated photonic thermometer that simultaneously serves as a sensor and as a deployable primary temperature standard. This self-calibrating photonic device has the potential to revolutionize how temperature is realized and disseminated worldwide. Our research focuses on both the design and nanofabrication of photonic thermometers, as well as on the development of new optical read-out strategies. These strategies will span the range from ultra-high resolution metrology to low-cost, robust measurement solutions for the field.

Key Responsibilities:

The candidates will be working at NIST (Gaithersburg, MD) in one or multiple research disciplines such as:

• Design, nanofabrication & characterization of integrated photonic devices
• Development of new photonic readout methods
• Laser spectroscopy and frequency locking to nanophotonic systems
• Optical frequency metrology for nanophotonic applications

The candidates will have an opportunity to:

• Work on cutting-edge nanophotonics science and technology projects
• Play an active role in defining new research directions and programs
• Publish in prestigious scientific journals and present at technical conferences
• Be a member of a multidisciplinary collaborative team of scientists
• Work at the state-of-the-art NIST NanoFab cleanroom facility (www.nist.gov/cnst)

Desired Qualifications:

• Ph.D. or equivalent experience in natural sciences, engineering, or related fields
• Innovative thinking, ability to conduct research both independently, and collaboratively
• Hands-on experimental skills, and desire to develop new research skills
• Prior hands-on experience in one (or more) of the following areas:
  • Integrated photonics
  • Micro-/nanofabrication
  • Spectroscopy
  • Frequency combs

Other Details:

• Full-time: the participant is expected to work 40 hours a week.
• Location: the participant will work at the NIST Gaithersburg Campus.
• Duration: this is a two-year position expected. Extensions are sometimes granted depending on the availability of funds.
• Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled.
• For questions related to the research project or the nature of the work in this position, please contact Dr. Nikolai Klimov (nikolai.klimov@nist.gov). For questions related to the online application or NIST PREP more generally, please contact Dr. John Brandau (john.brandau@morgan.edu).

Privacy Act Statement

Authority: 15 U.S.C. § 278g-1(e)(1) and (e)(3) and 15 U.S.C. § 272(b) and (c)

Purpose: The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) hosts the Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) which is designed to provide valuable laboratory experience and financial assistance to undergraduates, post-bachelor’s degree holders, graduate students, master’s degree holders, postdocs, and faculty.

PREP is a 5-year cooperative agreement between NIST laboratories and participating PREP Universities to establish a collaborative research relationship between NIST and U.S. institutions of higher education in the following disciplines including (but may not be limited to) biochemistry, biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, engineering, electronics, materials science, mathematics, nanoscale science, neutron science, physical science, physics, and statistics. This collection of information is needed to facilitate the administrative functions of the PREP Program.

Routine Uses: NIST will use the information collected to perform the requisite reviews of the applications to determine eligibility, and to meet programmatic requirements. Disclosure of this information is also subject to all the published routine uses as identified in the Privacy Act System of Records Notices: NIST-1: NIST Associates.

Disclosure: Furnishing this information is voluntary. When you submit the form, you are indicating your voluntary consent for NIST to use the information you submit for the purpose stated.