PREP Research Associate

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards (NIST) Professional Research Experience (PREP) program. 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.

Research Title:

Postdoctoral researcher in molecule laser cooling

The work will entail:

Researcher will develop a molecular fountain of laser-cooled MgF molecules toward blackbody radiation metrology. This research project will explore several novel and high-risk techniques for cooling, trapping, and manipulation of molecules. The project aims to deliver a record number of cold trapped molecules, advancing nearly all related ultracold molecule applications. Furthermore, the project aims to demonstrate the first laser-cooled molecule fountain. A molecule fountain allows cold molecules to reach maximum precision as sensors, free from perturbative effects of trapping fields. A molecule fountain is an enabling technology for sensitive measurements ranging from tests of fundamental symmetries of nature to quantum blackbody thermometry.

Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Working with and developing UV laser systems for molecule laser cooling

• Integrating other components, e.g., dipole traps, magnetic fields, etc., into the apparatus

• Demonstrating sub-Doppler laser cooling of molecules using blue-detuned MOT and Lambda-enhanced gray molasses techniques.

• Writing academic papers to disseminate results.

§ Presenting results at internal meetings and at external conferences.

§ A Ph.D. in Physics or related field

§ Experience with atomic, molecular, or ion laser cooling.

§ Experience with room temperature or cryogenic buffer gas beam sources

§ Experience in trapping using optical dipole or optical lattice traps, particularly 2D optical lattices

§ Experience calculating magic trapping wavelength using atomic structure data

§ Familiarity with frequency stabilization of laser systems

§ Experience with python programming

Please upload the following (preferably in a single PDF) with your application:

• Cover Letter

• CV/Resume

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 for Standards and Technology (NIST) hosts the Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) (https://www.nist.gov/iaao/academic-affairs-office/nist-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.

Job Type: Full Time Johns Hopkins University is committed to active recruitment of a diverse faculty and student body. The University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer of women, minorities, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities and encourages applications from these and other protected group members. Consistent with the University’s goals of achieving excellence in all areas, we will assess the comprehensive qualifications of each applicant.