{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"239e5e714abec204edfce1f6","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/239e5e714abec204edfce1f6","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/239e5e714abec204edfce1f6","title":"Physicist","description":"Summary\n\nNIST's Time & Frequency Division is hiring an Optical Clock Research Physicist to develop optical lattice clocks for advanced timekeeping applications. We need a talented and ambitious physicist to lead project development, working with a team of experts to advance state of the art performance.\n\nThis notice is issued under direct-hire authority to recruit new talent to occupations for which NIST has a severe shortage of candidates.\n\nLearn more about this agency\n\nDuties\n\nHelp\n\nNIST's Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML) sets the definitive U.S. standards for nearly every kind of measurement employed in commerce and research, spanning more than 20 orders of magnitude. This position is for an Optical Clock Research Physicist within the Neutral Atom Optical Clocks Group, which performs research on ultracold atomic systems for future standards of time and frequency, for the calibration of International Atomic Time, and for probing fundamental physical theories through precision optical frequency measurements.\n\nAs the Optical Clock Research Physicist, you will:\n\nResearch and develop optical atomic clocks including advancing performance metrics of these clock systems and exploring transportable systems for precision timekeeping applications.\nInnovate new approaches to optical clock operation and performance advancements.\nLead and contribute to scientific literature on optical clock systems and operation of advanced optical timescales.\nPlease review the Requirements section below for specific eligibility requirements to qualify for this role.\n\nRequirements\n\nHelp\n\nConditions of employment U.S. citizenship\nMales born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service\nSuitable for Federal employment\nBargaining Unit Position: No\nQualifications\n\nBASIC REQUIREMENTS:\n\nDegree: physics; or related degree that included at least 24 semester hours in physics; OR\nCombination of education and experience courses equivalent to a major in physics totaling at least 24 semester hours, plus appropriate experience or additional education.\n\nIn either 1 or 2 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.\n\nADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:\n\nIn addition to the basic requirements above, applicants must possess one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level (ZP-III at NIST.) Specialized experience is defined as: experience with the development of optical lattice clocks, including evaluation of systematic uncertainties of optical clocks and laser cooling of alkaline earth elements.\nExperience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.\n\nThe qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook.\n\nIf requesting reconsideration of your qualification determination, please refer to the following site: Applicant Reconsideration\n\nEducation\n\nThis position has an education requirement. Transcripts must be submitted to validate that the education requirement has been met. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. However, an official copy will be required before a final offer of employment.\n\nUse of foreign education for qualifications. An accredited organization must evaluate education completed outside of the U.S. to ensure that it is comparable to education received in accredited institutions in the U.S. Click here to view a listing of accredited organizations from the Department of Education's website. A copy of the foreign education evaluation (containing the results with course-by-course listing) is required with your application.\n\nAdditional information\n\nThis position is covered under NIST's Alternative Personnel Management System (APMS), a pay-for-performance system with excellent HR flexibilities to help NIST recruit and retain top talent. Learn more about the APMS here! We may share your application package with other selecting officials. Additional selections may be made through this vacancy.\nClick all links in this vacancy announcement to view additional information or instructions.\nYou MUST select at least ONE ELIGIBILITY to be considered for this position.\nAll documents submitted for this announcement must be legible to make qualification or eligibility determinations.\nA probationary period may be required.\n\nNIST strives to build a flexible and encouraging work environment to bring out the best in our employees. To help our employees balance responsibilities at home and at work, NIST offers a variety of work-life flexibilities. For more information, please visit our Careers website.\n\nCandidates 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.\n\nHelp\n\nA 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.\n\nReview our benefits\n\nEligibility 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.","company":"Commander, Navy Installations Command","rawCompany":"commander navy installations command","city":"Boulder","state":"CO","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-06-28T03:29:42.329Z","occupations":[{"code":"19-2012.00","title":"Physicists","slug":"physicists"},{"code":"19-2099.00","title":"Physical Scientists, All Other","slug":"physical-scientists-all-other"},{"code":"25-1054.00","title":"Physics Teachers, Postsecondary","slug":"physics-teachers-postsecondary"}],"industries":[{"code":"541715","title":"Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)","slug":"research-and-development-in-the-physical-engineering-and-life-sciences-except-nanotechnology-and-biotechnology"},{"code":"334519","title":"Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing","slug":"other-measuring-and-controlling-device-manufacturing"},{"code":"541990","title":"All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services","slug":"all-other-professional-scientific-and-technical-services"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Physicist","description":"Summary\n\nNIST's Time & Frequency Division is hiring an Optical Clock Research Physicist to develop optical lattice clocks for advanced timekeeping applications. We need a talented and ambitious physicist to lead project development, working with a team of experts to advance state of the art performance.\n\nThis notice is issued under direct-hire authority to recruit new talent to occupations for which NIST has a severe shortage of candidates.\n\nLearn more about this agency\n\nDuties\n\nHelp\n\nNIST's Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML) sets the definitive U.S. standards for nearly every kind of measurement employed in commerce and research, spanning more than 20 orders of magnitude. This position is for an Optical Clock Research Physicist within the Neutral Atom Optical Clocks Group, which performs research on ultracold atomic systems for future standards of time and frequency, for the calibration of International Atomic Time, and for probing fundamental physical theories through precision optical frequency measurements.\n\nAs the Optical Clock Research Physicist, you will:\n\nResearch and develop optical atomic clocks including advancing performance metrics of these clock systems and exploring transportable systems for precision timekeeping applications.\nInnovate new approaches to optical clock operation and performance advancements.\nLead and contribute to scientific literature on optical clock systems and operation of advanced optical timescales.\nPlease review the Requirements section below for specific eligibility requirements to qualify for this role.\n\nRequirements\n\nHelp\n\nConditions of employment U.S. citizenship\nMales born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service\nSuitable for Federal employment\nBargaining Unit Position: No\nQualifications\n\nBASIC REQUIREMENTS:\n\nDegree: physics; or related degree that included at least 24 semester hours in physics; OR\nCombination of education and experience courses equivalent to a major in physics totaling at least 24 semester hours, plus appropriate experience or additional education.\n\nIn either 1 or 2 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.\n\nADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:\n\nIn addition to the basic requirements above, applicants must possess one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level (ZP-III at NIST.) Specialized experience is defined as: experience with the development of optical lattice clocks, including evaluation of systematic uncertainties of optical clocks and laser cooling of alkaline earth elements.\nExperience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.\n\nThe qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook.\n\nIf requesting reconsideration of your qualification determination, please refer to the following site: Applicant Reconsideration\n\nEducation\n\nThis position has an education requirement. Transcripts must be submitted to validate that the education requirement has been met. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. However, an official copy will be required before a final offer of employment.\n\nUse of foreign education for qualifications. An accredited organization must evaluate education completed outside of the U.S. to ensure that it is comparable to education received in accredited institutions in the U.S. Click here to view a listing of accredited organizations from the Department of Education's website. A copy of the foreign education evaluation (containing the results with course-by-course listing) is required with your application.\n\nAdditional information\n\nThis position is covered under NIST's Alternative Personnel Management System (APMS), a pay-for-performance system with excellent HR flexibilities to help NIST recruit and retain top talent. Learn more about the APMS here! We may share your application package with other selecting officials. Additional selections may be made through this vacancy.\nClick all links in this vacancy announcement to view additional information or instructions.\nYou MUST select at least ONE ELIGIBILITY to be considered for this position.\nAll documents submitted for this announcement must be legible to make qualification or eligibility determinations.\nA probationary period may be required.\n\nNIST strives to build a flexible and encouraging work environment to bring out the best in our employees. To help our employees balance responsibilities at home and at work, NIST offers a variety of work-life flexibilities. For more information, please visit our Careers website.\n\nCandidates 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.\n\nHelp\n\nA 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.\n\nReview our benefits\n\nEligibility 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.","datePosted":"2026-06-28T03:29:42.329Z","dateModified":"2026-06-28T03:29:42.329Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Commander, Navy Installations Command","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Boulder","addressRegion":"CO","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"239e5e714abec204edfce1f6"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/239e5e714abec204edfce1f6"}}