Postdoctoral Associate Or Research Associate
University of Colorado Boulder · Boulder, CO
FULL-TIME
Posted Sep 9, 2026
Job Description
Summary
Job Summary
NIST is seeking a postdoctoral scholar to conduct experimental and theoretical research on Rydberg atom systems and their applications in radiofrequency (RF) communications and quantum sensing. The researcher will focus on improving the performance of Rydberg atom-based systems for electric-field detection. Experimental responsibilities will include designing, building, and troubleshooting laser, optical, and electronic systems, operating RF and microwave equipment, and developing software for data acquisition and analysis. Theoretical work will involve developing and analyzing atomic models of Rydberg systems, as well as conducting RF and electromagnetic simulations.
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 want to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest and, therefore, requires those institutions to be recipients of a PREP award. The PREP program involves staff from a wide range of backgrounds conducting scientific research across various fields. Individuals in this position will perform technical work supporting the collaboration's scientific research.
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
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 Electromagnetics Fields Group at NIST.
Responsibilities
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
- Design and perform experiments to advance the performance of Rydberg atom electrometers and communications receivers.
- Develop theoretical models of atomic systems and atomic sensors and compare them with experimental measurements.
- Keep a well-maintained log of experimental activities.
- Disseminate research through peer-reviewed journals, conferences, and other presentations.
What You Should Know
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.
Anticipated start date is December 1, 2026. Anticipated end date is March 31, 2028.
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) 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.
What We Can Offer
- The salary range for the full-time Postdoctoral Associate position is $74,000 - $108,000 annually.
- The salary range for the full-time Research Associate position is $78,000 - $135,000 annually.
- Onboarding/relocation assistance may be available, however, if within a 12-month period you exercise your right to willfully terminate your employment with the University of Colorado, you hereby agree to reimburse the department for your relocation expense.
Benefits
At the University of Colorado Boulder , we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.
Be Statements
Be ambitious. Be pioneering. Be Boulder.
What We Require
- Postdoctoral Associate: A Doctorate’s degree in Physics, Atomic Physics, Optics, Quantum Optics, or a related field with 0 – 4 years of post-doctoral degree experience .
- Research Associate: A Doctorate’s degree in Physics, Atomic Physics, Optics, Quantum Optics, or a related field with 5+ years of post-doctoral degree experience .
What We Would Like You To Have
- 4+ years of relevant experience.
- Familiarity with atom-optical-molecular systems.
- Familiarity with photonics.
- Ability to work with, stabilize, and align laser systems.
- Familiarity with remote instrument communication (Matlab, Python, or Labview proficiency preferred).
- Ability to develop data analysis software (Matlab or Python proficiency preferred).
- Strong oral and written communication skills in the English language.
Special Instructions
To Apply, Please Submit The Following Materials
- Resume or CV
- Cover letter addressed to the Search Committee briefly describing your qualifications, professional goals, and specific interest in this position.
If you are selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources Department using an approved online vendor. If your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit a translated version as an optional attachment.
During the application process, you will need to enter contact information for a reference. We will request the letter of recommendation immediately following your application.
Review of applications will begin immediately and remain open until September 22, 2026.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs.
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
Job Summary
NIST is seeking a postdoctoral scholar to conduct experimental and theoretical research on Rydberg atom systems and their applications in radiofrequency (RF) communications and quantum sensing. The researcher will focus on improving the performance of Rydberg atom-based systems for electric-field detection. Experimental responsibilities will include designing, building, and troubleshooting laser, optical, and electronic systems, operating RF and microwave equipment, and developing software for data acquisition and analysis. Theoretical work will involve developing and analyzing atomic models of Rydberg systems, as well as conducting RF and electromagnetic simulations.
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 want to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest and, therefore, requires those institutions to be recipients of a PREP award. The PREP program involves staff from a wide range of backgrounds conducting scientific research across various fields. Individuals in this position will perform technical work supporting the collaboration's scientific research.
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
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 Electromagnetics Fields Group at NIST.
Responsibilities
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
- Design and perform experiments to advance the performance of Rydberg atom electrometers and communications receivers.
- Develop theoretical models of atomic systems and atomic sensors and compare them with experimental measurements.
- Keep a well-maintained log of experimental activities.
- Disseminate research through peer-reviewed journals, conferences, and other presentations.
What You Should Know
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.
Anticipated start date is December 1, 2026. Anticipated end date is March 31, 2028.
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) 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.
What We Can Offer
- The salary range for the full-time Postdoctoral Associate position is $74,000 - $108,000 annually.
- The salary range for the full-time Research Associate position is $78,000 - $135,000 annually.
- Onboarding/relocation assistance may be available, however, if within a 12-month period you exercise your right to willfully terminate your employment with the University of Colorado, you hereby agree to reimburse the department for your relocation expense.
Benefits
At the University of Colorado Boulder , we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.
Be Statements
Be ambitious. Be pioneering. Be Boulder.
What We Require
- Postdoctoral Associate: A Doctorate’s degree in Physics, Atomic Physics, Optics, Quantum Optics, or a related field with 0 – 4 years of post-doctoral degree experience .
- Research Associate: A Doctorate’s degree in Physics, Atomic Physics, Optics, Quantum Optics, or a related field with 5+ years of post-doctoral degree experience .
What We Would Like You To Have
- 4+ years of relevant experience.
- Familiarity with atom-optical-molecular systems.
- Familiarity with photonics.
- Ability to work with, stabilize, and align laser systems.
- Familiarity with remote instrument communication (Matlab, Python, or Labview proficiency preferred).
- Ability to develop data analysis software (Matlab or Python proficiency preferred).
- Strong oral and written communication skills in the English language.
Special Instructions
To Apply, Please Submit The Following Materials
- Resume or CV
- Cover letter addressed to the Search Committee briefly describing your qualifications, professional goals, and specific interest in this position.
If you are selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources Department using an approved online vendor. If your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit a translated version as an optional attachment.
During the application process, you will need to enter contact information for a reference. We will request the letter of recommendation immediately following your application.
Review of applications will begin immediately and remain open until September 22, 2026.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs.
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
Benefits
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
Additional Details
- City
- Boulder
- State
- Colorado
- Country
- US
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