NIST PREP Postdoc Associate in Microscopy and Microanalysis of Quantum Information Devices

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

NIST is actively engaged in applied research that will improve performance and scalability of quantum information devices, thereby bridging the gap between fundamental research and commercialization. To achieve such transformative improvements, NIST is leveraging expertise in device fabrication, material characterization, and measurements to identify and mitigate sources of decoherence in qubits. This position will focus on materials characterization, but it will require close collaboration with fabrication and measurement teams. Multiple qubit architectures, including semiconducting quantum dots and superconducting transmons, are under study at NIST. These qubit devices will be characterized by use of scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM).  X-ray diffraction, scanning probe microscopy, and atom probe tomography may also be used. It is critical that conclusions be drawn from a statistically significant number of device measurements, so optimized, high-throughput workflows will be necessary. The microscopist in this position will work closely with the device team to quantitatively explore the materials-design space and identify high-performance regimes. Results will be communicated to stakeholders, as well as presented and/or published as appropriate.

The work will entail: 

Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Research and develop scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and related microanalysis tools for metrology of semiconducting and superconducting quantum devices
• Research and develop focused ion beam (FIB) preparation of semiconducting and superconducting quantum device lamella for STEM
• Establish optimized, in-house workflows, including automation where appropriate, for FIB sample prep, microscopy data collection, and data analysis
• Engage directly with device fabricators to optimize devices for improved performance through measurement-driven design feedback
• Communicate and collaborate with team members. Present and publish results as appropriate.

Qualifications

• A PhD in Materials Science and Engineering, or a related field.
• Three or more years of experience with advanced scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) techniques.
• Experience with STEM-based spectroscopies (EDS and EELS).)
• Experience in STEM data analysis.
• Experience with Python, py4DSTEM, or similar programming language.
• Experience operating a focused ion beam (FIB) and scanning electron microscope (SEM).
• Experience with X-Ray Diffractometry (XRD) and/or Atom Probe Tomography (APT) and/or scanning probe microscopy preferred but not required.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

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 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.

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