CHIPS Research Scientist

CHIPS Research Scientist US National Institute of Standards and Technology

• 4.4 Boulder, CO Job Details Full-time $83,265
• $129,742 a year 1 day ago Qualifications Laboratory experience Physics research Master's degree Microscope proficiency Algorithm design Physics Research data analysis 1 year Semiconductor experience Research findings presentation Python Spectroscopic techniques Entry level Full Job Description Summary NIST's Quantum Calorimeters Group seeks a physicist to lead development of a novel x-ray microscope for 3D circuit imaging.

You will integrate hardware, design control algorithms, and analyze data for tomographic reconstruction. Duties include quantifying performance via 2D/3D imaging and collaborating with CHIPS teams to publish results. This notice is issued under direct-hire authority to recruit new talent to occupations for which NIST has a severe shortage of candidates. Learn more about this agency This job is open to The public U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S. Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL) Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants. Clarification from the agency U.S. Citizens Duties NIST's Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML) sets the definitive U.S. standards for nearly every kind of measurement employed in commerce and research, sometimes across more than 20 orders of magnitude. This position is in PML's Quantum Sensors Division, whose mission is to build the metrological foundation for emerging electronic, magnetic, and photonic technologies. They achieve this by developing high-precision measurement devices, systems, standards, and methodologies and applying them to address national needs. If you are hired as a CHIPS Research Scientist for this division, you will: Integrate hardware and design control algorithms for a novel x-ray microscope specialized in nanoscale 3D circuit imaging. Oversee x-ray and electron data analysis, providing critical inputs for tomographic reconstruction algorithms. Collect and analyze diagnostic data to quantify performance, troubleshoot components, and ensure operational precision. Partner with CHIPS metrology teams and external stakeholders to present findings and publish high-impact results. Requirements Conditions of employment U.S. citizenship Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service Suitable for Federal employment

Bargaining Unit Position:

No Qualifications Basic Requirements:

Degree:

physics; or related degree that included at least 24 semester hours in physics; OR Combination of education and experience

• courses equivalent to a major in physics totaling at least 24 semester hours, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In either 1 or 2 above, the courses must have included: a fundamental course in general physics, and, in addition, courses in any two of the following: electricity and magnetism heat light mechanics modern physics sound In addition to the basic requirements, you must also meet one of the following requirements: 1. One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-9 (ZP-II at NIST).

Specialized experience is defined as:

Experience operating complex scientific equipment, particularly microscopy instrumentation and x-ray spectroscopy equipment. Experience in scientific programming, preferably in Python. Experience with semiconductor device characterization. OR 2. Master's or equivalent graduate degree OR 3. A combination of graduate education and specialized experience. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook. If requesting reconsideration of your qualification determination, please refer to the following site: Applicant Reconsideration Education This position has an education requirement. Transcripts must be submitted to validate that the education requirement has been met. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. However, an official copy will be required before a final offer of employment. Use of foreign education for qualifications. An accredited organization must evaluate education completed outside of the U.S. to ensure that it is comparable to education received in accredited institutions in the U.S. Click here to view a listing of accredited organizations from the Department of Education's website. A copy of the foreign education evaluation (containing the results with course-by-course listing) is required with your application. Additional information This position is covered under NIST's Alternative Personnel Management System (APMS), a pay-for-performance system with excellent HR flexibilities to help NIST recruit and retain top talent. Learn more about the APMS here! We may share your application package with other selecting officials. Additional selections may be made through this vacancy. Click all links in this vacancy announcement to view additional information or instructions. You MUST select at least

ONE ELIGIBILITY

to be considered for this position. All documents submitted for this announcement must be legible to make qualification or eligibility determinations. A trial period may be required. This appointment may be extended up to four years without further competition. If the selection results in a temporary promotion, it can be extended not to exceed five years or made permanent without further competition. NIST strives to build a flexible and encouraging work environment to bring out the best in our employees. To help our employees balance responsibilities at home and at work, NIST offers a variety of work-life flexibilities. For more information, please visit our Careers website. Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered. How you will be evaluated You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. Please prepare a resume that is no longer than two pages ; only the first two pages will be considered during the review process. Ensure your font is 11 points or larger and upload your resume as a .pdf document . This helps ensure your formatting looks exactly the way you intended. How you will be evaluated : You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. Once the announcement has closed, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed in this announcement. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) may be used to review your resume to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on the required specialized experience. SMEs will review ONLY two (2) pages of your resume. SMEs will not review additional information beyond your resume. Applications will be assessed on the following competencies:

Physics Research Technology Application Referral :

All applicants may be referred to the selecting official for consideration. Under Direct Hire Authority, applicants are not rated and ranked, and veteran preference does not apply. CTAP or ICTAP eligibility : If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee eligible for the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP), you must be determined eligible and rated as well-qualified to receive special selection priority. "Well Qualified" means that in addition to meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective placement factor(s), if applicable, you must receive a score of 85 or higher. Please review the following site regarding required documents to support CTAP or ICTAP eligibility and additional information regarding this authority

• Section 8: Hiring Paths at NIST | NIST Required Documents The documents required may vary based on how you're applying (i.

e., as a veteran or disabled veteran, current or former Federal employee, etc.). Please review the Required Documents for this position to find out if there are any documents required with your application. Failure to submit required documents, based upon how you apply, may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package.

A complete application includes:

1) A resume (not to exceed two pages), 2) vacancy question responses regarding technical qualifications, if applicable, and 3) submission of any required documents . Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, or if the documents submitted are illegible you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible).

Resume:

All applicants must submit a resume by creating one in USAJOBS or uploading one of their choosing. Please prepare a resume no longer than 2 pages; only the first 2 pages will be considered during the review process. Ensure your font is 11 points or larger and upload your resume as a .pdf document. This helps ensure your formatting looks exactly the way you intended. Cover letters are optional. To receive any credit for relevant experience, please list the month/year and the number of hours worked for experience listed on your resume. We suggest you review the qualification requirements for this position as you may need to customize your resume to ensure that it supports the position qualifications. Please refer to the Resume Guidance on how to build an effective resume. How to Apply Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments, and required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: Click the Apply Online button. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. As part of the application process, you will be asked to respond to four narrative questions. While your responses to these questions is not required and will not be scored, we encourage you to thoughtfully address each question. You will be asked to certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) such as a large language model (LLM) like ChatGPT or Copilot. Once your application has been submitted, you will receive a confirmation notification by email. The Human Resources Office will evaluate your application to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application. To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application . This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status : Click on this: USAJOBS Help Center

• How to see your application and job status Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.

Need help applying? If you are experiencing any difficulties with the online application process (anything after you have clicked the 'Apply Online' button), please contact the Agency Contact listed on this announcement between regular business hours (8:00 a.m.

• 4:00 p.

m. ET). If you receive any kind of error message, please be ready to provide a screenshot or, at a minimum, the error message text and number. We will provide you with a technical support number for further assistance if necessary. If you are having trouble with USAJOBS (searching for jobs, account password/profile issues, or Resume Builder), please visit the

USAJOBS USAJOBS

Help Center

• How to.

... We regret that we are unable to support any issues with USAJOBS, as this service is not maintained by the NIST. If you are experiencing a significant hardship that hinders your ability to apply online, please contact the Agency Contact listed on this announcement prior to the vacancy closing date and during regular business hours to discuss your situation. Agency contact information Erin O'Neill Email Address Quantum Electromagnetics Division 100 Bureau Drive Gaithersburg, MD 20899 US Next steps We will update applicant statuses when: A qualification determination is made. If found not qualified/eligible, no additional updates will be provided. Applications are referred to the selecting official. A selection decision has been made. Please notify us if your contact information changes after announcement's closing date . Also, note that if you provide an inaccurate email address or if your mailbox is full or blocked (e.g., spam-blocker), you may not receive important communication, which could affect your consideration for this position. Overview Accepting applications Open & closing dates 05/12/2026 to 05/18/2026 Salary $83,265

• $129,742 per year Pay scale & grade ZP 3 Location 1 vacancy in the following location: Boulder, CO Remote job No Telework eligible Yes—as determined by the agency policy. Travel Required 25% or less
• Travel to occasional meetings and conferences Relocation expenses reimbursed No Appointment type Term
• 13 months (with potential to extend up to 4 years) Work schedule Full-time Service Competitive Promotion potential 3 Job family (Series) 1310 Physics Supervisory status No Security clearance Not Required Drug test No Position sensitivity and risk Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk Trust determination process Suitability/Fitness Financial disclosure No Bargaining unit status No Announcement number

PML-687-26-12954812-DH

Control number 868781100