ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Condensed Matter Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Lockheed Martin

Subcontract Manager

Manassas, VA · On-site

... matters often requiring coordination between functional organizations. EEO Lockheed Martin is an ... These condensed schedules provide employees with additional time away from the office and are in ...

Lockheed Martin

Licensing Caseload Management

Arlington, VA · On-site

$104.50K - $184.12K/yr

Responsible for day-to-day management of licensing matters for the Corporation, with an emphasis on ... These condensed schedules provide employees with additional time away from the office and are in ...

Lockheed Martin

Software Engineer - Early Career

Herndon, VA · On-site

$62.70K - $110.63K/yr

... matter to be programmed in mission applications, information processing techniques used, and ... These condensed schedules provide employees with additional time away from the office and are in ...

Navstar

Security Representative/AFSO/CSSO

Hanover, MD · On-site

Must have a Subject Matter Expert (SME) level of understanding of industrial security regulations ... These condensed schedules provide employees with additional time away from the office and are in ...

New

next page

Showing results 1-20

People also search for

All JobsCondensed Matter JobsCondensed Matter Jobs in Washington

Condensed Matter information

See Washington salary details

$21.5K

$88.5K

$180.9K

How much do condensed matter jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for condensed matter in Washington is $88,509.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $34,357.00 and $124,545.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Condensed Matter Physicist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Condensed Matter Physicist, you need a solid background in physics, mathematics, and materials science, usually supported by a PhD in physics or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory instrumentation, computational modeling software (like MATLAB or Python), and techniques such as X-ray diffraction or electron microscopy is essential. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and collaboration skills are crucial for innovation and teamwork in research environments. These competencies enable physicists to advance scientific understanding, develop novel materials, and contribute to technological progress.

What are some common challenges faced by condensed matter physicists in experimental research settings?

Condensed matter physicists working in experimental research often encounter challenges such as maintaining precise control over experimental conditions, troubleshooting complex instrumentation, and interpreting large volumes of data. Collaboration with interdisciplinary teams is common, requiring effective communication with materials scientists, engineers, and theorists. Staying updated with rapidly evolving techniques and technologies is also essential for success in this role.

What is condensed matter physics?

Condensed matter physics is a branch of physics that studies the physical properties of matter in solid and liquid states. It explores how atoms and molecules interact to give rise to phenomena like superconductivity, magnetism, and crystal structures. Research in this field has led to significant technological advancements, including the development of semiconductors and new materials. Condensed matter physicists use experimental and theoretical techniques to understand and manipulate material properties at the atomic scale.

What is the difference between Condensed Matter vs Materials Scientist?

AspectCondensed MatterMaterials Scientist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Physics, Materials Science, or related fieldsBachelor's or Master's in Materials Science, Chemistry, or Physics
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, universities, industry R&DResearch labs, manufacturing, industry R&D
Industry UsageFundamental research in physics and materialsDevelopment and testing of new materials for applications
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding physics of materialsDeveloping new materials for products

Condensed Matter physicists focus on understanding the fundamental properties of materials at the atomic and electronic levels, often in research settings. Materials Scientists, while also studying materials, tend to focus more on developing, testing, and applying new materials in industry. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds but differ in their primary focus and work environment.

What are popular job titles related to Condensed Matter jobs in Washington? For Condensed Matter jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Condensed Matter jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Condensed Matter jobs in Washington are:
Condensed Matter jobs near you

NIST PREP Scanning Probe Instrumentation and Metrology Specialist

Southeastern Universities Research Association

Gaithersburg, MD • On-site

$85K - $120K/yr

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago

Job description

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Professional Research Experience Program (PREP). NIST recognizes that its research staff may want to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest and, therefore, requires those institutions to be recipients of a PREP award. The PREP program involves staff from a wide range of backgrounds conducting scientific research across various fields. Individuals in this position will perform technical work supporting the collaboration's scientific research.
Research Title: Scanning probe instrumentation and metrology specialist
The work will entail: This work is on the frontier of experimental condensed matter physics, and combines several experimental modalities, including scanning tunneling microscopy, atomic force microscopy, electron transport, and electron spin resonance. For more information about the group, see: https://www.nist.gov/pml/nanoscale-device-characterization-division/nanoscale-processes-and-measurements-group/scanning.
U.S. Citizen Preferred
Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
  • Develop novel and cutting-edge instrumentation for scanning probe microscopy.
  • Support ongoing operations of scanning probe microscopy experiments.
  • Presenting results at internal meetings, and occasional meetings with external stakeholders.
  • Ensuring that results, protocols, software, and documentation have been archived or otherwise transmitted to the larger organization.

Qualifications
  • A PhD degree in experimental condensed matter physics, or a related field.
  • Five years of experience in designing and building scanning tunneling microscopes (STM) and atomic force microscopes (AFM) operating in ultra-low temperatures (10 mK), ultra-high vacuum (UHV), and high magnetic fields (0-15 T). This experience should include the following sub-fields:
  1. Building piezo-electric motors and piezo-electric scanners operating from 10 mK to 300 K.
  2. Designing and building multi-contact sample and probe holders.
  3. Assembling AFM qPlus sensors.
  4. Preparation of atomically sharp probe tips for STM and AFM measurements.
  5. Characterization and treatment of STM probe tips by using a field ion microscope (FIM).
  6. Detailing wiring of STM and AFM modules with thorough documentation of assembly and wiring details.
  7. Experience in testing and debugging STM and AFM instruments with respect to electrical and vibrational noise.
  • Five years of experience in integrating multi-modal measurements in a single system, including STM, AFM, and electrical transport measurements in a single system operating at ultra-low temperatures and in UHV.
  • Five years of experience in the design and construction of cryogenic preamplifiers for STM and AFM measurements.
  • Five years of experience in designing and building UHV vacuum chambers and UHV transfer systems.
  • Five years of experience in the wiring and operation of dilution refrigerators.
  • Five years of experience in building gas handling systems for dilution refrigerators.
  • Five years of experience in design, fabrication, and testing of Radio Frequency (RF) filters to operate in a dilution refrigerator at ultra-low temperatures and in UHV.
  • Five years of experience in molecular beam epitaxy growth of materials, including 2D materials, van der Waals materials, and superconductor materials.
  • Research experience in 2D materials, including graphene-based heterostructures and related materials, with at least one related publication.
  • Research experience in superconducting materials with at least one related publication.
  • Five years of experience in developing and programming LabVIEW VIs for spectroscopic mapping of STM and AFM measurements on the Nanonis SPM control system platform.
  • Five years of experience in developing and programming LabVIEW VIs for instrument control, including dilution refrigerator and superconducting magnet systems.
  • Five years of experience in Python programming for instrumentation control and data analysis.
  • Five years of experience in 3D CAD design using Creo Elements Direct Modeling software.
  • Five years of experience in maintaining helium recovery systems and in the operation and maintenance of helium liquefiers.
  • Five years of experience in handling cryogens, including liquid helium transfer.
  • Five years of experience in 2D and 3D scientific illustration for publication in journals and public media.

Privacy Act StatementAuthority: 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 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 of the information you submit for the purpose stated.
SURA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that no one should be discriminated against because of their differences, such as age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, religion, or sexual orientation. All employment decisions shall be made without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.
PREP0004165

Apply