PREP0004135 Superconducting SQUID Metrology Researcher

PREP Research Associate

Opportunity No.: PREP0004135

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.

APPLY ONLINE HERE

Superconducting SQUID Metrology Researcher

Project Description:

Advancing Scanning SQUID Metrology for High-Speed Superconducting Circuits. The postdoctoral associate will conduct original research focused on developing advanced scanning superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometry to study superconducting electronic systems. Core research directions include improving SQUID sensor performance, imaging and understanding flux trapping, and evaluating mitigation strategies in high-speed superconducting circuits.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to lead and shape research directions, contribute to the design and construction of next-generation scanning SQUID instrumentation, and apply these tools to cutting-edge superconducting devices. Our group has deep expertise in microwave metrology, nanoscale device characterization, and superconducting circuit design, fabrication, and measurement.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Lead scanning SQUID imaging studies of trapped flux, superconducting circuits, and novel devices
• Develop and optimize SQUID sensors and measurement techniques
• Design and perform high-speed electronic measurements (>10 GHz)
• Design and fabricate novel superconducting circuits and/or sensors using NIST’s advanced cleanroom facilities
• Develop rigorous data analysis pipelines with appropriate statistical validation
• Publish results in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals and present findings at major scientific conferences
• Collaborate closely with NIST scientists while maintaining scientific independence and ownership of research outcomes
• Contribute to documentation, software, and data archiving to support the long-term impact of the work
• Strong mentorship from NIST staff scientists to support:
  • Development of an independent research program
  • A strong publication record
  • Visibility within the superconducting electronics and quantum metrology communities
  • Preparation for academic, national laboratory, or industry research careers

Required Qualifications: 

• U.S. citizen preferred
• Ph.D. in Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field (completed or near completion)
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Evidence of scientific productivity through peer-reviewed publications
• Demonstration of hands-on experimental research experience with publication(s), e.g. description of experiments constructed, devices fabricated, etc.

Desired Qualifications: 

• Experience with cryogenic measurements
• Experience with scanning SQUID imaging
• Proficiency in Python or similar scripting languages for data analysis and experiment control

Other Details:

• Full-time: the participant is expected to work 40 hours a week
• Location: the participant will work at the NIST Boulder, CO Campus.
• Duration: this is expected to be a one-year and four-month position. Extensions are sometimes granted depending on the availability of funds.
• For questions related to the research project or the nature of the work in this position, please contact Dr. Michael Schneider (michael.schneider@nist.gov). For questions related to the online application or NIST PREP more generally, please contact msu-nistprep@morgan.edu.

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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.

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