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Associate Positions at NIST

NIST maintains its position as a global leader in measurement science by fostering a vibrant, multi-disciplinary research environment. To tackle the world’s most complex technological challenges—from quantum metrology to advanced cybersecurity—the agency often integrates specialized expertise that extends beyond the permanent federal workforce. By engaging post-doctoral fellows, student researchers, guest scientists, and contractors, NIST creates a collaborative bridge between government laboratories, academia, and the private sector. These associates are essential partners who provide the agility and niche skills necessary to drive industrial competitiveness and economic security.

Opportunity Title Location Posting Date Closing Date Sort descending
Postdoctoral researcher to develop novel photonic hardware for quantum measurement and super intelligence Boulder 10/09/2026
High-power laser metrology research and calibration services support Boulder 10/09/2026
Computational Micromagnetics 09/02/2026
Metrology for Continuous Variable Quantum Computing and Networking 09/02/2026
Development of quantum networking devices and systems and implementing advanced quantum experiments 09/02/2026
Analysis and Modeling of Wireless Channels for Wearables and Implants 09/02/2026
Experimental Quantum Network Science & Timing Metrology 09/02/2026
Research Technical Professional, Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) Fabrication Boulder 08/27/2026
AI Bug Finding 09/08/2026
PREP Research Associate - Durability Assessment of Polymeric Materials Used in Civil Infrastructure Applications Gaithersburg 09/18/2026
Research Associate, Superconducting Device Design and Fabrication Boulder 09/01/2026
Bioformulation Digital Twin Developer Gaithersburg 09/14/2026
Viral Measurement Tools and Reference Materials Gaithersburg 09/14/2026
Research Software Engineer Gaithersburg 09/14/2026
Theoretical and Computational Studies of Heat Transport Gaithersburg 09/14/2026
Analyst/Programmer for Mass Spectral Reference Data Gaithersburg 09/17/2026
Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry for the Identification of Plastic Particles 09/17/2026
Developing Digital Twin Infrastructure for Metals Additive Manufacturing Gaithersburg 09/24/2026
Analytical Chemistry Associate Researcher Gaithersburg 09/24/2026
Analytical Chemistry Research Associate for Advancing Chemical Metrology for Semiconductor Cleaning Chemicals Gaithersburg 09/24/2026
Development of Neutron Generator-Based Prompt Gamma Activation Analysis Instrument Gaithersburg 09/24/2026
Mass Spectrometry for Targeted and Non-Targeted Analysis Gaithersburg 09/24/2026
Postdoctoral Researcher for In Situ Optical Diagnostics and Process Characterization During Plasma Etching Processes Gaithersburg 09/24/2026
Postdoctoral Researcher for Nanocalorimetry of Atomic Layer Deposition Processes Gaithersburg 09/24/2026
Postdoctoral Researcher for Optical Diagnostics of Atomic Layer Deposition Processes Gaithersburg 09/24/2026
Post-Doctoral Researcher: Li-ion Battery Recycling Gaithersburg 09/24/2026
Reference Material Development for Dietary Supplements Gaithersburg 09/24/2026
Research Associate for In Situ Optical Emission Spectroscopy During Plasma Etching Processes Gaithersburg 09/24/2026
Postdoctoral Researcher Applying Machine Learning Methodologies to Predict Spectra of PFAS Compounds Gaithersburg 09/24/2026
Postdoctoral Researcher Calculating Scattering Cross Sections and Reaction Rates of PFAS Molecules Gaithersburg 09/24/2026
Postdoctoral Researcher for Process Modeling Using Physically-Informed Machine Learning Gaithersburg 09/24/2026
Carbon Nanotube Processing and Separations Research Gaithersburg 09/24/2026
Biosensing Using DNA-Carbon Nanotubes Hybrids 09/24/2026
Materials Science and Rheology of Complex Polymeric and Composite Materials Gaithersburg 09/25/2026
Quantitation of AAV Genome Size Gaithersburg 09/25/2026
Electrochemical Recovery of Critical Minerals from Microelectronic Waste Gaithersburg 09/25/2026
Atomistic Modeling of Defects in GaN Semiconductor Devices Gaithersburg 09/25/2026
Developing Atomistic Transport Calculations for Semiconductor Materials Gaithersburg 09/25/2026
Research Software Engineer Gaithersburg 09/25/2026
Nanometer-Scale Planar Reference Materials Gaithersburg 09/25/2026
Research Associate, Development and Application of Brillouin Microscopy for Imaging Advanced Packaging Materials Gaithersburg 09/25/2026
Research Scientist for Cell-free Expression System Metrology Gaithersburg 09/25/2026
Laboratory Automation for Cell-Based Assays Gaithersburg 09/25/2026
Postdoc, Protein Sequence Function Measurements Gaithersburg 09/25/2026
Fit-for-Purpose Cellular Measurements for Process Analytical Technologies 09/28/2026
Infrared Microscopy for Microplastics Characterization Gaithersburg 09/28/2026
Nanocalorimetry for In-Situ Plasma Monitoring Gaithersburg 09/28/2026
Numerical Modeling for Nano-to-Microscale Thermo-Mechanical Measurements Gaithersburg 09/28/2026
Thermoreflectance Thermal Property Measurements Gaithersburg 09/28/2026
Atomistic Modeling of Defects in Semiconductor Devices Gaithersburg 10/14/2026
Developing High-Throughput Density Functional Theory Workflows for Material Property Prediction Gaithersburg 10/14/2026
Fiber, Composites, and Polymer Scientist Gaithersburg 09/25/2026
Theory-Integrated Autonomous Experimentation for Sustainable Biotherapeutic Formulation Design Gaithersburg 09/25/2026
Statistical Methodology for AI Survey Response Detection and Analysis 09/02/2026
Statistical Methods for Reference Material Value Transfer and Uncertainty Propagation 09/02/2026
Transparent Performance Characterization of Measurement Systems in Forensics and Biology 09/02/2026
Statistical Analysis and Tool Development for the NIST GenAI Evaluation Program 09/02/2026
Uncertainty characterization of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning models 09/02/2026
Statistical Software Development for the Illicit Drug Landscape 09/02/2026
Quantum Control Research Physicist Boulder 08/27/2026
Get more information about working in specific labs:
An Associate at NIST is not a federal employee but collaborates with NIST on research projects of mutual interest and does not work exclusively on NIST mission-related activities. If you have any questions, please contact the International and Academic Affairs Office at IAAO [at] nist.gov (IAAO[at]nist[dot]gov).
Created February 19, 2026, Updated September 30, 2026
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