Research Associate
Requisition Number:
64845
Location:
Boulder, Colorado
City
Boulder
State
Colorado
Employment Type:
Research Faculty
Schedule:
Full-Time
Posting Close Date:
20-Jun-2025
Date Posted:
11-Jun-2025
Job Summary
University of Colorado Boulder invites applications for a position which is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) in support of CHIPS Act project “Electro-acoustic metrology of piezoelectric materials for wireless communications.” 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.
Primary responsibilities will be film growth by reactive magnetron sputtering, chemical and structural characterization, and measurement, interpretation, and analysis of electrical and electromechanical properties. Such work will be carried out in close collaboration with partners at NIST as well as the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL), industry partners, and colleagues at other universities. The position will require publishing findings in peer reviewed journals, presenting the work at project meetings and scientific conferences, and mentoring graduate and undergraduate students. Ample opportunity for authoring and co-authoring funding proposals will also be provided. The candidate must be comfortable with the measurement and interpretation of piezoelectric properties, ferroelectric hysteresis, and/or semiconductor devices.
Primary responsibilities will be film growth by reactive magnetron sputtering, chemical and structural characterization, and measurement, interpretation, and analysis of electrical and electromechanical properties. Such work will be carried out in close collaboration with partners at NIST as well as the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL), industry partners, and colleagues at other universities. The position will require publishing findings in peer reviewed journals, presenting the work at project meetings and scientific conferences, and mentoring graduate and undergraduate students. Ample opportunity for authoring and co-authoring funding proposals will also be provided. The candidate must be comfortable with the measurement and interpretation of piezoelectric properties, ferroelectric hysteresis, and/or semiconductor devices.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected 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 Guided Wave Electronics Group under the RF Technology Division at NIST.
The particular group that needs a researcher is the Guided Wave Electronics Group under the RF Technology Division at NIST.
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
- Thin film growth (and monitoring/optimization of such) via reactive magnetron sputtering.
- Measurement, interpretation, analysis, and reporting of structural, chemical, electrical, and electromechanical characteristics of thin films.
- Mentoring students working on collaborative projects.
- Interaction with interdisciplinary partners on publication, reporting, and device prototyping.
- Play critical role in writing up research for project reports and archival journals and presenting results at national and international conferences.
What You Should Know
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 of 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.
What We Can Offer
- The salary range for this full-time position is $87,000 - $135,000 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 challenged. Be impactful. Be Boulder.
What We Require
- PhD in materials science and engineering or related field.
What We Would Like You to Have
- Basic experience with vacuum chambers.
- Experience with materials characterization such as x-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, Scanning probe microscopy, etc.
- Measurement and interpretation of electrical properties using probe station.
- Laboratory safety training.
- Strong oral and written communication in English language.
- Experience with semiconductor devices and functional ceramics.
- Film growth via RF magnetron sputtering.
- Textured/epitaxial film analysis via advanced diffraction techniques such as rocking curve, pole figure, and/or reciprocal space mapping.
- Measurement and analysis of piezoelectric and/or ferroelectric properties.
- Characterization of RF resonator devices.
Special Instructions
To apply, please submit the following materials:
- A current resume.
- A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.
During the application process, you will need to enter contact information for one (1) reference. We will request the letter of recommendation immediately following your application. This information will be kept confidential and viewable only by the search committee.
Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until June 20, 2025.
For questions, please contact Lisa Valencia at recruitprep@colorado.edu.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs.
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
Posting Contact Information
Posting Contact Name: Lisa Valencia
Posting Contact Email: recruitprep@colorado.edu