Assistant Research Physicist in Quantum Sensing and Color Center Spectroscopy National Institute of Standards and Technology in United States

Assistant Research Physicist (PREP Research Associate) in Quantum Sensing and Color Center Spectroscopy at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, Maryland, in collaboration with George Washington University.

This opportunity is centered on quantum sensing, optical spectroscopy, and the study of optically active defects / color centers in wide-bandgap semiconductors. The selected researcher will join the Nanoscale Spectroscopy Group to conduct experiments on single-photon emitters and to control their emission using optical and magnetic methods. The work includes high-resolution spectral characterization of NV centers in diamond and investigation of emerging color centers in materials such as GaN, Si, and SiC.

The role is strongly hands-on and lab-focused. Responsibilities include building, aligning, and maintaining custom optical setups; safely operating lasers; automating instrument control; writing Python scripts and data acquisition routines; and analyzing spectroscopy datasets. The position also involves probing spin-based emission, time-resolved detection, and nanoscale optical properties under supervision, with opportunities to collaborate with spectroscopists and materials chemists and contribute to peer-reviewed publications.

Eligibility highlights: a bachelor’s degree in Physics, Chemistry, Electrical/Optical Engineering, or a related field; at least 2 years of relevant laboratory experience; familiarity with solid-state color centers; and proficiency with Python or similar scripting languages. Experience with optical spin resonance, cathodoluminescence, Raman, or UV-vis spectroscopy is a plus.

Location: NIST Campus, Gaithersburg, MD, United States.

Application: Apply through the provided link. No deadline was stated in the post.