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. The position available is for postdoctoral research on photonic integrated circuits (PICs). The postdoctoral researcher will work with NIST staff and other associates to develop and experimentally demonstrate optimized measurement methodologies for photonic test structures that will be incorporated in PIC process flows and enable extraction of key physical parameters associated with PIC performance, including absorption and scattering loss and refractive index dispersion. Measurement methods will be optimized for use in PICs based on the silicon-in-insulator, silicon nitride, and thin film lithium niobate platforms. Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to: + Perform a literature review to assess existing test structure designs and methodologies for PIC parameter extraction + Set up automated swept wavelength, optical modulation and electro-optic measurements of existing test structure geometries to enable data collection and analysis for a broad variety of PICs + Investigate methods to optimize test structure measurement protocols for more robust determination of photonic parameters by multiphysics measurements and modeling. + Conduct data analysis and work with team members on optimizing test structure designs and understanding relevant aspects of the fabrication process § Presenting results at internal meetings, and occasional meetings with external stakeholders such as at photonics conferences or through peer-reviewed journal publications § Ensuring that results, protocols, software, and documentation have been archived or otherwise transmitted to the larger organization. § A PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related field § >3 years experience with optical and electromagnetic measurements of photonic structures § Experience with experimental measurement automation and automated data analysis § Experience with Lumerical and Comsol electromagnetic simulation tools § Familiarity with multiple scripting languages such as Matlab, C, and Python § Strong oral and written communication skills. Salary: $84,000-$89,000 a year Please upload the following with your application: - CV/Resume - 2 professional references *Please limit C.V to 3 pages only and ONLY include a valid email address for your contact info. Please DO NOT include telephone numbers, home address or photos on your 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 The listed salary range represents the minimum and maximum Johns Hopkins University offers for this position, based on a good faith estimate at the time of posting. Actual compensation will vary depending on factors such as location, skills, experience, market conditions, education, and internal equity. Not all candidates will qualify for the highest salary in the range. Johns Hopkins provides a comprehensive benefits package supporting health, career, and retirement. Learn more: https://hr.jhu.edu/benefits-worklife/. Equal Opportunity Employer All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. 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