Nanofabrication Physical Scientist

Summary

NIST is seeking a Nanofabrication Physical Scientist to join its Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology. This position focuses on fabrication lithography and metrology. The primary aim is to develop processes for nanofabrication and semiconductor systems. The scientist will collaborate with researchers from academia government and private industry.

This notice is issued under direct-hire authority to recruit new talent to occupations for which NIST has a severe shortage of candidates.

Duties

As a Nanofabrication Physical Scientist this role is responsible for process support and development user training equipment troubleshooting and repair of nanofabrication and semiconductor processing systems in a state-of-the-art nanofabrication user facility with researchers from academia government and private industry. This position requires extensive work in a class 100cleanroom environment with the selectee wearing full-body cleanroom attire including gown boots hood facemask safety glasses and gloves

The Candidate will:

• Provide acquisition installation facilitation maintenance and operation of semiconductor process equipment.
• Oversee field service engineers.
• Calibrate and optimize semiconductor processing equipment.
• Troubleshoot and repair semiconductor process equipment
• Collaborate with vendors to update equipment software and hardware as needed to extend the lifespan of the equipment
• Develop optimize and document standard operating procedures for semiconductor equipment maintenance and nanofabrication processes.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• U.S. citizenship
• Males born aftermust be registered for Selective Service
• Suitable for Federal employment
• Bargaining Unit Position: No

Qualifications

Individual Occupational Requirements

Basic Requirements:

1. Degree: physical science engineering or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics dynamics properties of materials and electronics.
OR

2. Combination of education and experience -- education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to the basic requirements applicants must also have 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 (ZP-II at NIST) level. Specialized Experience is defined as hands-on experience in:

• Operation installation facilitization troubleshooting and maintenance of semiconductor process equipment.
• Micro and nanofabrication processes and techniques in areas of lithography deposition etching and metrology.
• Nanofabrication processes and techniques in sputter deposition electron beam and thermal evaporation deep silicon plasma etching and wafer dicing.
• Maintaining high-vacuum technology vacuum chambers vacuum pumping systems flanges leak testing and wet bench processing.

OR

3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree

OR

A combination of graduate education and specialized experience as defined in the additional requirements.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g. Peace Corps AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g. professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community student social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies knowledge and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience including volunteer experience.

The qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook.

If requesting reconsideration of your qualification determination please refer to the following site: Applicant Reconsideration

Education

This position has an education requirement. Transcripts must be submitted to validate that the education requirement has been met. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. However an official copy will be required before a final offer of employment.

Use of foreign education for qualifications. An accredited organization must evaluate education completed outside of the U.S. to ensure that it is comparable to education received in accredited institutions in the U.S. Click here to view a listing of accredited organizations from the Department of Educations website. A copy of the foreign education evaluation (containing the results with course-by-course listing) is required with your application.

Additional information

This position is covered under NISTs Alternative Personnel Management System (APMS) a pay-for-performance system with excellent HR flexibilities to help NIST recruit and retain top talent. Learn more about the APMS here!

• We may share your application package with other selecting officials. Additional selections may be made through this vacancy.
• Click all links in this vacancy announcement to view additional information or instructions.
• You MUST select at least ONE ELIGIBILITY to be considered for this position.
• All documents submitted for this announcement must be legible to make qualification or eligibility determinations.
• A probationary period may be required.

NIST strives to build a flexible and encouraging work environment to bring out the best in our employees. To help our employees balance responsibilities at home and at work NIST offers a variety of work-life flexibilities. For more information please visit our Careers website.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Required Experience:

IC