Job Summary

In conjunction with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the candidate will master sub-THz on-wafer large-signal characterization setups recently developed at NIST under the CHIPS act program. Using state-of-the-art instrumentation and advanced calibration techniques, the candidate will perform load-pull characterization on various semiconductor processes to precisely estimate transistor RF performance and figures-of-merits. Data analyses will be conducted to precisely evaluate newly-developed transistor physical responses that will be used to improve transistor compact models and to estimate transistor manufacturing variation. The candidate will also design advanced on-wafer calibration standards, custom multi-finger cells, and active integrated-circuits to advance on-wafer microelectronic metrology from 110 GHz to 260 GHz, frequency bands intended to host high-speed communication beyond 5G and a variety of emerging wireless applications.

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 wish to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest and thus requires that such institutions be the recipients 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.

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 High-Speed Waveform Metrology Group under the RF Technology Division at NIST.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• DC and RF devices measurements.
• Electrical and EM simulations of integrated structures with microwave probes and circuits.
• Develop approaches to integrate probe coupling correction in calibration procedures.
• Work as a team and with external collaborators to design and test mm-wave devices and circuits.
• Studies will result in a series of publications, providing important changes to existing products, processes, techniques, or practices.
• Present technical results in meetings and conferences.

What You Should Know

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 of 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 the 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. By applying to a CHIPS-funded PREP opportunity, you also acknowledge that participation in the project requires signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) prior to beginning any work.

What We Can Offer

The salary range for this full-time position is $67,000 - $100,000 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

The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder.

Be Statements

Be ambitious. Be pioneering. Be Boulder.

What We Require

PhD degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.

What We Would Like You to Have

• Advanced skills in semiconductor devices.
• Integrated-circuit design experience.
• Ability to operate, or will learn to master electrical measurement techniques such as: DC characterization, nonlinear network analysis, load-pull, and small and large signal network analysis.
• Ability to code with Matlab, or python.
• Ability to develop simulations in microwave electronics simulation software (e.g. ADS and HFSS).

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials: 1. Resume or CV 2. 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 26, 2025. 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.