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Professional Research Assistant/Senior Professional Research Assistant

Requisition Number:

42744

Location:

Boulder, Colorado

City

Boulder

State

Colorado

Employment Type:

Research Faculty

Schedule:

Full-Time

Date Posted:

19-Sep-2022

Job Summary

The Physics Department and the National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) through the Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) welcomes applications for multiple positions for Professional Research Assistant and Senior Professional Research Assistant. The successful applicant will design and fabricate micro- and nano-electronics in the NIST Boulder Microfabrication Facility. These electronics will consist of specialized sensors for electromagnetic radiation and/or particles, as well as readout circuitry for the same sensors. The sensors and readout circuitry will make use of superconducting materials, low temperatures, and quantum mechanical effects. Key goals are to realize more sensitive and larger format sensor and readout circuits. The successful applicant will also support testing or perform testing of sensors and readout circuitry at ambient and cryogenic temperatures.
The University of Colorado Boulder is committed to building a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to contributing to an inclusive campus environment. We are an Equal Opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

PREP is a special partnership between the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the University of Colorado Boulder.  PREP provides research opportunities to CU undergraduate and graduate students, as well as researchers with a Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in NIST labs to gain research experience alongside NIST scientists.
 
The particular group that needs a researcher is the Quantum Sensors Group under the Quantum Electromagnetics  Division at NIST.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

  • Fabricate superconducting devices using a full range of microfabrication equipment including lithography, physical vapor deposition, and plasma etching and deposition.  Example devices include the Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID), Transition Edge Sensor (TES), and Microwave Kinetic Inductance Device (MKID). 
  • Develop new fabrication processes for new superconducting devices and the migration of existing processes to larger format wafers.  This responsibility will require the design of test structures and experiments for process development.
  • Maintain and aid in the acquisition of critical equipment for the fabrication of superconducting devices.
  • Regularly communicate work status to group members and disseminate results through internal and external publications and presentations.  Interact with internal and external collaborators.  Disseminate results through publications and presentations.
Professional Research Assistants are expected to fall into one of the following areas of responsibility:
  • Perform tasks using equipment, instruments, or software related to a technical professional field and records the results of such use.
  • Carry out limited professional assignments in a technical professional field applying established methods, tests, procedures, and techniques, and record actions and results.
  • Plan and carry out difficult and complex assignments in a scientific, engineering, mathematics or information technology discipline and develops new methods, approaches, and procedures usually in cooperation with coworkers or advisors related to the position.
Senior Professional Research Assistants are expected to fall into one of the following areas of responsibility:
  • Plan and carry out difficult and complex assignments in a scientific, engineering, mathematics or information technology discipline and develop new methods, approaches, and procedures usually in cooperation with coworkers or advisors related to the position.
  • Conduct systematic research on a problem area of considerable scope and complexity. Provide technical leadership in formulating research solutions on problems which have been recognized as critical obstacles to progress or development in areas of exceptional interest.

What We Can Offer

  • Please note, the more complex your position will be and the more experience you have since earning your degree, the higher your salary will be on the salary range. 
  • The salary range for the full-time Professional Research Assistant is $47,840 - $75,000 annually. 
  • The salary range for the full-time Senior Professional Research Assistant is $75,000 - $140,000 annually.
  • Onboarding/relocation assistance may be available, however, if within a 12-month period you exercise your right to willfully terminate your employment with the University of Colorado, you hereby agree to reimburse the department for your relocation expense.

Benefits

The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder.

Be Statements

Be ambitious. Be pioneering. Be Boulder.

What We Require

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Physics or Applied Physics, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, Material Science, or related field.
  • Previous technical experience directly processing semiconductor wafers using a range of fabrication equipment.
  • Professional Research Assistant: 0 – 10 years of experience.
  • Senior Professional Research Assistant: 10 – 15 years of experience.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:
  1. Resume/CV
  2. Cover Letter
If you are selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources Department using an approved online vendor.  However, if your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit a translated version.
 
During the application process, you will need to enter contact information for a reference. We will request the letter of recommendation immediately following your application.
 
Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
 
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email.  For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs.

Posting Contact Information

Posting Contact Name: Lisa Valencia

Posting Contact Email: prepscientist@colorado.edu