Postdoctoral Associate or Research Associate

About the Role

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Professional Research Experience Program (PREP), a partnership between NIST and the University of Colorado Boulder. The role involves performing technical work that underpins scientific research within the Guided Wave Electromagnetics Group under the RF Technology Division at NIST.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to research and development of novel microfabricated devices for linear and nonlinear electromagnetic and acoustic measurements of piezoelectric materials.
• Evaluate electromagnetic and acoustic properties of variable composition samples at frequencies from 100 kHz up to 100 GHz, using custom and commercial test fixtures.
• Develop and simulate computational models of material-loaded microelectronic devices to quantify electric, acoustic, and piezoelectric fields for a range of incident powers and applied electromagnetic and acoustic fields.
• Analyze measurement results in conjunction with finite-element simulations to identify relevant material parameters of materials under test.
• Communicate and collaborate with team members, other NIST teams, and external teams.
• Present and publish results as appropriate.

Requirements & Tech Stack

Postdoctoral Associate

• A PhD in physics, materials science, electrical engineering or related field.
• 0 – 4 years of post-doctoral degree experience.

Research Associate

• A PhD in physics, materials science, electrical engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of post-doctoral degree experience.

Qualifications

• Basic experience with vector network analyzers.
• Experience with acoustic measurement techniques.
• Measurement and interpretation of electrical properties using probe station.
• Laboratory safety training.
• Strong oral and written communication in English language.
• Familiarity with scientific scripting languages.
• Ability to develop prototypes of tools needed to analyze data.

Additional Information

• This position requires the successful completion of an NAIS agreement and federal security clearance, as mandated by NIST. Employment is contingent upon approval.
• Salary Range (Full-time):
• Postdoctoral Associate: $74,000 - $108,000
• Research Associate: $78,000 - $135,000
• Onboarding/relocation assistance may be available.
• Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until November 17, 2026.

To Apply

Submit the following materials:

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter (Optional)
• Transcripts/Proof of Degree (If degree obtained outside the United States, submit an English-translated version as an Optional document.)
• A reference contact will be requested immediately following your application.