NIST PREP Research Associate in High Power Laser Applications

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: Research in High Power Laser Applications

The work will entail:  Individual will work with scientists in the Sources and Detectors Group in the Applied Physics Division on metrology supporting radiation pressure-based radiometry. The individual will perform a diverse set of duties including general laboratory support, support for optical and mechanical measurements, and technical support for mass calibrations of radiation pressure force balances.

U.S. Citizen Preferred

Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Support laboratory experiments through purchasing, basic assembly of mechanical components, aligning optics, optical metrology, general physics laboratory activities.
• Write LabView code for data acquisition and analysis.
• Safe alignment and operation of laser optical systems.
• Set-up and characterize test system for mass calibration of radiation pressure force sensors

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from accredited U.S. academic institution in Engineering Physics
• Minimum one year of laboratory experience with laser optical systems and optical alignment
• Understanding of and laboratory experience with laser radiation pressure measurement
• Working knowledge of safe operating procedures for Class III lasers
• Experience in automated translation stage positioning and software control
• Familiarity with machine shop operation (drill press, band saw, etc)
• Programming experience with LabView
• 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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