Materials Scientist Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Description
PREP Research Associate
CHIPS Funded Project
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:
Nanoscale Thermal Metrology Using Nanocalorimetry (U.S. Citizens Preferred)
The work will entail:
The Materials Measurement Laboratory of the National Institute of Standards and Technology is
seeking qualified persons (U.S. Citizens Preferred) to join a multi-disciplinary team of scientists
working to advance the current state-of-the-art in nanocalorimetry-based measurements for
monitoring of semiconductor manufacturing processes. This individual will work closely with the
leaders of this multi-effort project but will personally be responsible for improving our measurement
capabilities by making upgrades to existing hardware, software, and strategies for integrating the
technique with plasma- and ALD-based tools used in semiconductor manufacturing.
Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
• Design and assemble new instrumentation to improve the accuracy, sensitivity, speed, and
stability of nanocalorimetry measurements. Includes developing LabVIEW-based data
acquisition systems, integrating new and existing hardware, and data analysis workflows
• Perform measurements to characterize the thermal properties of thin film materials
• Support parallel research efforts to utilize nanocalorimetry for in-situ monitoring of
semiconductor manufacturing processes.
• Publish results in peer reviewed scientific journals and present results at scientific conferences.
Employment Terms: This opportunity is to be an associate researcher in the Materials Measurement Science Division for a term of 1 year, with options to renew. Associate researchers are NOT Federal Employees, but they work aside NIST researchers and with NIST's often world class instrumentation. Relocation expenses will not be provided. U.S. Citizens hired into associate positions may have the opportunity to seek longer term Federal Employment. Salary: $90,000 to $100,000
Qualifications
• Ph.D. in materials science, physics, chemistry, chemical engineering or related field.
• Hands-on experience with building and maintaining custom lab instrumentation, including
extensive experience with LabVIEW. Experience with FPGA modules preferred.
• Expertise in designing custom electronics, including PCB layout and analog circuit design.
• Knowledge of common nanofabrication processes. Experience working in cleanrooms a plus.
• Knowledge of thermal property measurements. Hands-on experience, or specialized knowledge
of calorimetry preferred.
• Strong written & oral communication skills; ability to work independently and in a team.
Application Instructions
Please upload the following with your application:
• CV/Resume
*Please limit C.V to 3 pages only and ONLY include a valid email address for your contact info. Your resume will not be considered if the following information is included on your CV/resume.
• Self portraits
• Phone number
• Home address/Country
• Citizenship status
• Languages spoken
• Sex/Gender
• 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 of the information you submit for the purpose stated. By applying to a CHIPS-funded PREP opportunity, you also acknowledge that participation in the project requires signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) prior to beginning any work.