Assistant Research Scientist; PREP

Research Overview

PREP Research Associate position is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Professional Research Experience (PREP) program. NIST collaborates with academic researchers and requires that such institutions receive a PREP award. The program engages staff from a wide range of backgrounds to work on scientific research. Employees in this position will perform technical work that underpins the scientific research of the collaboration.

Advanced Low-Noise Frequency Synthesis and Phase Noise Metrology.

The work focuses on innovating low‑phase and amplitude noise frequency synthesis techniques from radio to optical frequencies and developing advanced analog and digital measurement systems for precise phase and time characterization. The project aims to create robust measurement architectures that bridge analog front‑ends and FPGA‑based digital signal processing for next‑generation atomic clocks and ultra‑low‑noise oscillators.

• Design and construct low‑phase frequency synthesizers and oscillators.
• Perform amplitude and phase noise metrology.
• Design PCB layouts and develop measurement system circuits.
• Develop FPGA‑based measurement system firmware.
• Present results at internal meetings and occasional meetings with external stakeholders.
• Archive or otherwise transmit results, protocols, software, and documentation to the larger organization.

• U.S. citizen preferred.
• Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. degree in a STEM discipline.
• High level skill in RF/microwave signal analysis and system design.
• Experience with phase‑locked loops.
• Proficiency in FPGA with Xilinx ZynQ.
• Proficiency in Altium Designer.
• Familiarity with phase noise metrology is advantageous.
• Ability to code with, or learn to code with, MATLAB, Lab View, and Python is required.

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