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Organization Profile

An 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:

  1. developing tests for human-machine interfaces, software diagnostics and performance, computer and network security, advanced network technologies, mathematical software, and conformance to standards;
  2. collaborating, consulting and operational services in computational sciences and information services; and
  3. federal computer and network security activities.

 

Employment Opportunities

All 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 DIVISION

FUTURE 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 DIVISION

FUTURE INTEREST: Multiple positions for Computer Scientists, Electronics Engineers, and Mathematicians at the Entry, Junior, and Senior levels.

HIGH SPEED NETWORK TECHNOLOGIES GROUP
DUTIES: Conduct research in high speed network technologies. The areas of interest include, but are not limited to, protocol modeling, performance analysis and measurement, protocol testing methodology, traffic management and call control, and interworking of different network technologies. Develop reference implementations, simulation and testing tools, conformance and interoperability test suites. Current areas of focus include wireless personal-area networks (WPANs), security and mobility in heterogeneous network environment (wireless and wired), optical networks, and quantum information networks (quantum cryptography).

WIRELESS COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES GROUP DUTIES: Conduct research in wireless/mobile communications. The areas of interest include, but are not limited to, physical link issues such as new compression, coding, and modulation techniques, wireless/mobile communication channel characterization and multipath fading and equalization issues, near-far problem, power control, multiuser detection, dynamic channel assignment and other resource allocation problems, indoor localization techniques, wireless network protocols, mobility management and registration issues, and new services and future system studies. Develop software prototypes, metrics, test methods, and measurement tools for wireless/mobile communications.

INTERNETWORKING TECHNOLOGIES GROUP
DUTIES: Conduct research in emerging internetworking technologies and the Internet. Topic areas of interest include, but are not limited to, the following: architectures and protocols for QoS control, dynamic routing in support of multicast and QoS, network security systems, mobility issues, layer 3 switching, network management systems, service oriented architecture, mapping Internet technology to emerging broadband networks and distribution systems, and test / measurement systems for the Internet. Typical activities include: prototype implementation; protocol design, analysis, and standardization; performance measurement, modeling and simulation; and, development of test and measurement methodologies, tools, and reference data sets.

COMPUTER SECURITY DIVISION

Please 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 DIVISION

FUTURE INTEREST: Multiple positions for Computer Scientists and Electronics Engineers at the Entry, Junior, and Senior levels.

SPEECH GROUP
DUTIES: Assist in conducting research in spoken language data collection, processing, and analysis. Develop software, and provide systems administration support involving UNIX, C, X-Windows, and Motif.

VISUALIZATION AND USABILITY GROUP
DUTIES: Conduct research in information visualization for digital library, virtual manufacturing, anthropometric modeling, and Web applications with an emphasis on measurement. Develop software prototypes, metrics, test methods, measurement tools, and baseline reference data for Web usability evaluation. Conduct research in evaluation methodologies for collaborative computing applications. Program graphics, Web, VRML, and JAVA applications using advanced information visualization, interface design, and usability evaluation approaches.

IMAGE GROUP
DUTIES: Assist in conducting research in biometrics technologies, evaluating accuracy of biometric matcher systems, test methodology, algorithms, analysis of test results. Develop evaluation software and provide systems administration support.

SOFTWARE AND SYSTEMS DIVISION

FUTURE 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 DIVISION

FUTURE 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 REQUIREMENTS

COMPUTER SCIENTIST:
Applicants must have a Bachelor's or higher degree with 30 semester hours in a combination of mathematics, statistics, and computer science. At least 15 of the 30 semester hours must have been in any combination of statistics and mathematics that included differential and integral calculus.

ENGINEER:
Degree in professional engineering from an accredited institution of engineering; or equivalent which includes differential and integral calculus and course work in five of the following areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure properties); (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics; OR combination of education and experience: college-level education, training and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering and (2) a good understanding , both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering.

MATHEMATICIAN:
(A) Degree: mathematics; or the equivalent of a major that included at least 24 semester hours in mathematics. OR
(B) Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major in mathematics (including at least 24 semester hours in mathematics), as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. The total course work in either A or B above must have included differential and integral calculus and, in addition, four advanced mathematics courses requiring calculus or equivalent courses as a prerequisite.

MATHEMATICAL STATISTICIAN:
(A) Degree: that included 24 semester hours of mathematics and statistics, of which at least 12 semester hours were in mathematics and 6 semester hours were in statistics. OR
(B) Combination of education and experience: at least 24 semester hours of mathematics and statistics, including at least 12 hours in mathematics and 6 hours in statistics, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

PHYSICIST:
(A) Degree: physics; or related degree that included at least 24 semester hours in physics. OR
(B) Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in physics totaling at least 24 semester hours, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

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 CRITERIA

The 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:

Kathleen Roberts
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Information Technology Laboratory
100 Bureau Drive, Stop 8900
Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8900
Phone: (301) 975-2982
Fax: (301) 975-2378
Email: kroberts@nist.gov