Organization ProfileAn agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce's Technology Administration, the National Institute of Standards and Technology's primary mission is to promote U.S. economic growth by working with industry to develop and apply technology, measurements, and standards. The NIST's Information Technology Laboratory (ITL) is responding to the growing need for measurement and testing technology to support the development of computing and communications systems that are usable, scalable, interoperable, and secure. This need has come into sharper focus in recent years with the national effort to develop an information infrastructure and to support U.S. industry in a global information marketplace. ITL has programs in three major areas:
Employment OpportunitiesAll indicated employment opportunities are POTENTIAL OPENINGS. NIST is collecting resumes in anticipation that potential openings will materialize. These potential openings are classified into two categories: (1) Current Interest and (2) Future Interest. The resumes submitted for openings of current interest will be acknowledged and considered. While the resumes submitted for openings of future interest will be retained for future action. MATHEMATICAL AND COMPUTATIONAL SCIENCES DIVISIONFUTURE INTEREST: Applied Mathematicians, Computer Scientists, Physical Scientists, or Engineers at the Senior level. DUTIES: We anticipate the need for candidates with demonstrated research expertise in quantum computing and communication. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, quantum error correction, fault tolerance, quantum architectures, quantum algorithms, quantum computing languages, and quantum communication protocols. Activities include research consistent with Division and Laboratory goals, as well as extensive consulting and collaboration with colleagues in the NIST Physics and Electronic and Electrical Engineering Laboratories. Candidates are expected to publish and present research results in a variety of forums. FUTURE INTEREST: Computer Scientists, Applied Mathematicians, Physical Scientists, or Engineers at the Senior level. DUTIES: Candidates are being sought with demonstrated research expertise in scientific visualization. Areas of interest include visualization tools, immersive environments, data exploration, and applications. Activities include extensive consulting and collaboration with colleagues in other NIST technical units, as well as leadership in the development and use of facilities and tools for scientific visualization. FUTURE INTEREST: Mathematicians or Computer Scientists at the Senior level. DUTIES: We anticipate a need for candidates with demonstrated research expertise in discrete mathematics and optimization. Areas of interest include combinatorial structures, graph theory, discrete random processes, Monte Carlo-based computational approaches, combinatorial optimization, control theory, dynamical systems, and information theory. Activities include research consistent with Division and Laboratory goals, as well as extensive consulting and collaboration with colleagues in other NIST technical units. Candidates are expected to publish and present research results in a variety of forums. ADVANCED NETWORK TECHNOLOGIES DIVISIONFUTURE INTEREST: Multiple positions for Computer Scientists, Electronics Engineers, and Mathematicians at the Entry, Junior, and Senior levels.
COMPUTER SECURITY DIVISIONPlease see more information on current employment information within the Computer Security Division. FUTURE INTEREST: Multiple positions for Computer Specialists, Computer Scientists, Electronics Engineers, and Mathematicians at the Entry, Junior, and Senior levels. DUTIES: Develops security standards, metrics, guidelines, conformance/evaluation programs; conducts security research and implements prototypes to test proposed concepts; reviews agency security programs; supports education of customers; publishes and presents results; develops and program new applications; hosts and leads government-industry-academia collaborations to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of sensitive information on IT, including devices, systems, networks, applications, and infrastructures. Specific areas of technical expertise are cryptography (algorithms, key management, authentication, hashing, etc), security protocols, voting systems, networking protocols and services (BGP, IPsec, VOIP, IPv6, 802.1x, etc), mobile and wireless systems, biometrics, malware, smart cards, identity proofing, identity management, intellectual property protection, security administration, contingency planning, risk management, policy, training, education, intrusion detection, vulnerability analysis, security testing and assurance, access control, embedded systems, RFID,security checklist/hardening guides. Those with graduate degrees in cyber security, computer science, mathematics or closely related fields are particularly encouraged to apply. Programming skills in C, C++, Java, Perl, and Visual Basic under UNIX. INFORMATION ACCESS DIVISIONFUTURE INTEREST: Multiple positions for Computer Scientists and Electronics Engineers at the Entry, Junior, and Senior levels.
SOFTWARE AND SYSTEMS DIVISIONFUTURE INTEREST: Multiple positions for Computer Scientists, and Applied Mathematicians at the Entry, Junior, and Senior levels. DUTIES: Conduct basic and applied research directed toward the development of software conformance test methods and tools, new software standards, and software diagnostic tools. Develop test and measurement tools and methods; standard reference materials for computer forensics; and analytical and simulation methods for evaluations of technologies. Use XML technologies to develop client/server applications including test suites, registries, and automatic test generation tools. Apply research results to application domains such as electronic commerce, healthcare, computer forensics. Assist industry, government, and standards organizations in improving software quality, and the quality of software standards specifications. Develop reference implementations and reference materials, software diagnostic tools, and conformance test suites. Publish and present research results. Program in C, C++, Java, and scripting languages (e.g., JavaScript) under UNIX or Windows, develop parsers and testing tools, develop information models and UML models, design and develop registries and databases including user interfaces using XML technologies and SQL, apply formal methods to develop mathematical specifications for software conformance tests. STATISTICAL ENGINEERING DIVISIONFUTURE INTEREST: One or two positions for Mathematical Statisticians with Research Experience. DUTIES: Provide statistical expertise and leadership in multidisciplinary collaborations with physical scientists, engineers, and computer scientists on modeling, measurement, calibration, and process characterization. Lead statistical research to develop new methodologies, to develop and implement new statistical computation and graphical representations for complex and/or high-dimensional data. Specific technical expertise is required in modern data analysis and linear models, variance component analysis, experimental design, generalized linear models, statistical computation and graphics, Bayesian inference, stochastic processes, theory of inference or applied probability modeling, with demonstrated research ability in one of these. Strong interest or curiosity in a physical science, engineering or information technology or other area of NIST application is desired for interdisciplinary collaboration. Commonly used statistical analysis packages include S-Plus and SAS, plus more specialized Bayesian computation and statistical graphics software. Collaborative research usually involves modification of established data analysis protocols or development of advanced statistical methods; excellent communication skills (written and oral) are essential. Research on statistical problems relevant to NIST and Statistical Engineering Division missions may be collaborative or individual, and is expected to make a substantial contribution to the field statistics or to the relevant field of science. BASIC QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTSCOMPUTER SCIENTIST: ENGINEER: MATHEMATICIAN: MATHEMATICAL STATISTICIAN: PHYSICIST: In either A or B above, the courses must have included a fundamental course in general physics and, in addition, courses in any two of the following: electricity and magnetism, heat, light, mechanics, modern physics, and sound. IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE BASIC QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS, APPLICANTS MUST HAVE SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE AND/OR DIRECTLY RELATED EDUCATION IN THE AMOUNTS SHOWN BELOW: SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT STANDARD CRITERIAThe Superior Academic Achievement Standard Criteria for employment in NIST are as follows: (1) 2.9 out of a possible 4.0 GPA for all courses completed during all four undergraduate years or during the final two years; or (2) 3.45 out of a possible 4.0 GPA for all required courses completed in the major field during all four undergraduate years or during the final two years; or (3) class standing in the upper third of the graduating class in the college,university or major subdivision; or (4) election to membership in a national scholastic honor society above freshman level. ZP-II: (Entry level positions, equivalent to GS-7/9) One year of graduate-level education, or superior academic achievement (GPA 2.90) OR one year of specialized experience, related to the job to be filled, equivalent to the next lower grade level. ZP-III: (Junior level positions, equivalent to GS-11/12) Master's or equivalent degree OR one year of specialized experience, related to the job to be filled, equivalent to the next lower grade level; Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree OR one year of specialized experience, related to the job to be filled, equivalent to the next lower grade level. ZP-IV: (Senior level positions, equivalent to GS-13/14) One year of specialized experience, related to the job to be filled, equivalent to the next lower grade level. SALARIES: From $30,000+ to $80,000+. Researchers with significant experience may be considered for positions in the $90,000 range. OTHER: Positions offer excellent career benefits and professional growth opportunities. The National Institute of Standards and Technology is an Equal Employment/Affirmative Action Employer. U. S. Citizenship required. Department of Commerce employees eligible for the Career Transition Plan (CTAP), and applicants eligible for the Interagency Career Transition Plan (ICTAP) may receive priority consideration. Those wishing to apply under these programs must submit a copy of their RIF separation notice. Please send your Optional Applicant for Federal Employment (OF-612), OR resume; your college transcripts, addendum sheet addressing skills stated in the description of duties, and documentation verifying veterans preference if claimed to:
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