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Atomic Physicist Engineering and Physical Sciences Researcher Experienced to Expert Level
Department of Defense
National Security Agency/Central Security Service
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Summary
The NSA invites you to be part of an elite research team designing the cryptography that protects our nations most sensitive communications. As an Engineering and Physical Sciences Researcher, you will translate mission needs into cryptographic solutions. Partner with customers across space, special operations, tactical, & SWaP constrained domains. Work alongside world-class mathematicians and engineers to design, prototype, and evaluate new symmetric and public-key algorithms and protocols.
Learn more about this agency
Summary
The NSA invites you to be part of an elite research team designing the cryptography that protects our nations most sensitive communications. As an Engineering and Physical Sciences Researcher, you will translate mission needs into cryptographic solutions. Partner with customers across space, special operations, tactical, & SWaP constrained domains. Work alongside world-class mathematicians and engineers to design, prototype, and evaluate new symmetric and public-key algorithms and protocols.
Learn more about this agency
Overview
Help
Accepting applications
Location
many vacancies in the following location:
Fort Meade, MD
No matching locations found.
Work site options
Telework eligible No Remote job No Relocation expenses reimbursed Yes-You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy. Salary $132,751 - $197,200 per year Pay scale & grade
GG 13 - 15
Promotion potential None
Learn more about pay scale and grade
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule Full-time Travel Required Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status No Federal service type This job is in the Excepted Service Represented by a union No
Drug test No Security clearance Top Secret Position sensitivity and risk Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required Yes
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number 1263351 Control number 886887600
This job is open to
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The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
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Duties
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NSA is home to one of the largest and most established in-house research organizations within the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC), employing scientists with world-class skills in fields such as mathematics, physics, computer science, engineering, and cybersecurity. We collaborate with leading industries, universities, and national laboratories to advance core competencies, leverage work in overlapping disciplines, and solve some of the most challenging national security problems thought to be intractable by adversaries and commercial industry.
NSAs Laboratory for Physical Sciences (LPS) attracts top technical talent who not only solve the nations urgent intelligence problems, but also invent what hasnt been invented and concentrate on what will be needed five, ten, fifteen years down the road. Through its partnership with the University of Maryland (UMD), LPS offers a unique environment where university, industry, and federal government scientists collaborate on research in advanced communication, sensing, and computer technologies. To learn more about LPS, visit: https://www.lps.umd.edu
LPS is currently seeking an experienced Atomic Physicist to serve as an Experimentalist and/or Technical Program Manager. The successful candidate will be responsible for setting research goals and direct research focused on conducting experimental or theoretical studies to further understanding of the fundamental limitations of atomic qubit devices and platforms. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience working with trapped-ion or neutral-atom systems for fault-tolerant quantum computing.
As a valued member of the LPS team, you will leverage your expertise, ideas, and vision to:
Experience in the following areas related to trapped-ion and neutral-atom systems is desired: - Quantum hardware development and operation: direct experience with trapped ion systems or neutral atom arrays, either in simulation, modelling, fabrication or manipulation of qubit preparation/cooling, qubit transport, gate operations and readout - Quantum supporting technologies and methods:
hands-on experience with static and RF trap development, optical tweezers, laser control systems, and related optical and electronic subsystems such as spatial light modulators, acousto-optic deflectors/modulators, electro-optic modulators, beam combiners, high-power optical system, and fiber-chip coupling/alignment
. - Quantum protocol development and performance evaluation, from single qubits to multi-qubits and quantum error correction
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
Qualifications
SENIOR
Entry is with a Bachelors degree plus 7 years of relevant experience, or a Masters degree plus 5 years of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree plus 3 years of relevant experience.
EXPERT
Entry is with a Bachelors degree plus 10 years of relevant experience, or a Masters degree plus 8 years of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree plus 6 years of relevant experience.
Education
The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position.
Degree must be in either (1) Engineering, (2) Physics or Astronomy from an accredited college, or (3) a relevant professional technical field (for example, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, geology). For Engineering degrees, if program is not ABET accredited, it must include specified coursework.*
Relevant experience must be in one or more of the following: performing engineering or physical sciences work, or conducting academic or independent research in a technical field (for example, mathematics, engineering, cognitive sciences and physical sciences).
Additional information
Pay: Salary offers are based on candidates education level and years of experience relevant to the position and also take into account information provided by the hiring manager/organization regarding the work level for the position.
Salary Range: $132,751 - $197,200 (Senior, Expert) Salary range varies by location, work level, and relevant experience to the position.
Training will be provided based on the selectees needs and experience.
Benefits: NSA offers a comprehensive benefits package.
Work Schedule: This is a full-time position, Monday - Friday, with basic 8hr/day work requirement between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (flexible).
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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.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You are someone who has excellent communication and interpersonal skills, a desire to guide and influence a broad research community, thrives on solving problems, and are able to:
Benefits
Help
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Required documents
Required Documents
Help
The National Security Agency (NSA) is part of the DoD Intelligence Community Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). All positions in the NSA are in the Excepted Services under 10 United States Codes (USC) 1601 appointment authority. DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans Preference to eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are a veteran claiming veterans preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you may be asked to submit documents verifying your eligibility.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
Help
https://apply.intelligencecareers.gov/job-description/1263351
Agency contact information
NSA POC
Phone 1-844-424-4737 Email intelcareers@nsa.gov
Next steps
https://apply.intelligencecareers.gov/job-description/1263351
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Criminal history inquiries Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
Financial suitability New employee probationary period
Privacy Act Reasonable accommodation policy
Selective Service Signature and false statements
Social security number request
Required Documents
Help
The National Security Agency (NSA) is part of the DoD Intelligence Community Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). All positions in the NSA are in the Excepted Services under 10 United States Codes (USC) 1601 appointment authority. DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans Preference to eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are a veteran claiming veterans preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you may be asked to submit documents verifying your eligibility.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
Help
https://apply.intelligencecareers.gov/job-description/1263351
Expand Hide how to apply
Agency contact information
NSA POC
Phone 1-844-424-4737 Email intelcareers@nsa.gov
Next steps
https://apply.intelligencecareers.gov/job-description/1263351
Expand Hide next steps
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Criminal history inquiries Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
Financial suitability New employee probationary period
Privacy Act Reasonable accommodation policy
Selective Service Signature and false statements
Social security number request
National Security Agency/Central Security Service
Agency contact information
NSA POC
Phone 1-844-424-4737 Email intelcareers@nsa.gov
Visit our careers page
Learn more about what its like to work at National Security Agency/Central Security Service, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.
Summary
The NSA invites you to be part of an elite research team designing the cryptography that protects our nations most sensitive communications. As an Engineering and Physical Sciences Researcher, you will translate mission needs into cryptographic solutions. Partner with customers across space, special operations, tactical, & SWaP constrained domains. Work alongside world-class mathematicians and engineers to design, prototype, and evaluate new symmetric and public-key algorithms and protocols.
Learn more about this agency
Overview
Help
Accepting applications
Location
many vacancies in the following location:
Fort Meade, MD
No matching locations found.
Work site options
Telework eligible No Remote job No Relocation expenses reimbursed Yes-You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy. Salary $132,751 - $197,200 per year Pay scale & grade
GG 13 - 15
Promotion potential None
Learn more about pay scale and grade
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule Full-time Travel Required Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status No Federal service type This job is in the Excepted Service Represented by a union No
Drug test No Security clearance Top Secret Position sensitivity and risk Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required Yes
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number 1263351 Control number 886887600
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USAJOBS is a Opens in a new windowUnited States Office of Personnel Management website.
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| Location | Washington, DC |
| Salary | $132,751–$197,200 Per Year |
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