Job No. 159746
- Job Title:
- Professional Research Assistant
- Employer:
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University of Colorado at Boulder
- Location:
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Boulder , CO
- Posting Date:
- 01-Oct-2026
- Description:
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This work aims to develop time-resolved emission microscopy (TREM) tools for characterizing modern semiconductor devices. The Faint Photonics and Quantum Nanophotonics Groups in the Applied Physics Division at NIST in Boulder, CO, are working to develop a TREM setup employing their world-leading superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) to measure the very faint infrared photon emission from transistors.
This position is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Professional Research Experience Program (PREP). NIST recognizes that its research staff may wish to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest and thus requires that such institutions be the recipients 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.
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
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 Faint Photonics Group under the Applied Physics Division at NIST.
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
Use time-resolved emission microscopy and superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors to perform optical spectroscopy on semiconductor devices emitting infrared photons and to support the optical classification of integrated circuits.
Design and implement improvements to the microscope and fiber collection system as needed.
Test and characterize single-photon detectors, measuring wavelength-dependent detection efficiency, dark count rates, and timing jitter.
Automate measurement procedures and control of electrical equipment.
Present results at internal and external meetings.
Ensure that results, protocols, software, and documentation have been archived or otherwise transmitted to the larger organization.
What You Should Know
What You Should Know
Privacy Act Statement
This position requires the successful completion of an NAIS agreement and federal security clearance, as mandated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Employment is contingent upon approval of these requirements, as determined by NIST.
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 the 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. By applying to a CHIPS-funded PREP opportunity, you also acknowledge that participation in the project requires signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) prior to beginning any work.
- Contact information:
- University of Colorado at Boulder
- Boulder, CO 80309
- United States
- Employer's Website:
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