About this role
Job SummaryNIST's Time & Frequency Division is hiring a Senior Atomic Clock Research Physicist to lead research on microwave and optical atomic clocks, advance primary and secondary frequency standards, and support the UTC(NIST) timescale. This notice is issued under direct-hire authority to recruit new talent to occupations for which NIST has a severe shortage of candidates.
QualificationsBASIC 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, and sound. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: In addition to the basic requirements above, applicants must possess one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level (ZP-III at NIST.) Specialized experience is defined as experience working with atomic clocks; or in spectroscopy of ions, atoms, molecules, or related systems; or with frequency combs or high finesse optical cavities 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
Major DutiesNIST's Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML) sets the definitive U.S. standards for nearly every kind of measurement employed in commerce and research, spanning more than 20 orders of magnitude. This position is in PML's Time Realization and Distribution Group, which operates an ensemble of commercial atomic clocks and purpose-built atomic frequency standards to provide the U.S. with official sources of time or frequency. If hired as the Senior Atomic Clock Research Physicist, you will: Determine optimal solutions and designs for primary and secondary frequency standards and pursue these solutions. Conduct systematic research on microwave or optical atomic clocks and their use in generating and steering standards of official time and frequency for the United States. Maintain the continuous operation and contribute to ongoing development of the UTC(NIST) timescale. Provide technical leadership with a high degree of insight and ingenuity to operate, maintain, and improve existing primary and secondary frequency standards. If you apply, please make sure your resume/CV clearly demonstrates the relevant experience described in the Requirements section below, particularly the requirements outlined under Basic and Additional Requirements. These include transcript requirements.