Job Opportunity: Research Associate Position, Design and Fabricate Micro- and Nano-Electronics

LOCATION: NIST (Boulder, Colorado), Quantum Sensors Division (687), Device Fabrication Group (11)

SUMMARY OF THE POSITION: 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.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• 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. This may also apply to cryogenic test apparatus.
• 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.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in Area of Study listed below.
• Previous technical experience directly processing semiconductor wafers using a range of fabrication equipment.

PREFERENCES:

• Previous experience in the fabrication of superconducting or low temperature devices may be valuable but is not a requirement.

AREA OF STUDY: (Applied) Physics, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, Material Science, Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, or related field.

CONTACT: Dr. Daniel Schmidt (dan.schmidt [at] nist.gov (dan[dot]schmidt[at]nist[dot]gov))