MODELING AND SIMULATION RESEARCHER / ENGINEERING AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCHER - EXPERIENCED TO EXPERT LEVEL (MARYLAND)

The NSA invites you to be part of an elite team that's making a global impact by researching and developing revolutionary ideas. As a Modeling and Simulation Researcher at NSA, your creativity and that of your team is essential to investigating and implementing effective technical solutions for our Nation. Your efforts will drive global impacts by providing U.S. policy and decision makers with critical, timely intelligence. You can learn more about LPS and its mission by visiting https://www.lps.umd.edu. The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position.\n\nDegree must be in either (1) Engineering, (2) Physics or Astronomy from an accredited college or university, or (3) a relevant professional technical field (for example, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, geology).\n\nFor Engineering degrees, if program is not ABET EAC accredited, it must include specified coursework.*\n\n*Specified coursework includes courses in differential and integral calculus and 5 of the following 18 areas: (a) statics or dynamics, (b) strength of materials/stress-strain relationships, (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics, (d) thermodynamics, (e) electromagnetic fields, (f) nature and properties of materials/relating particle and aggregate structure to properties, (g) solid state electronics, (h) microprocessor applications, (i), computer systems, (j) signal processing, (k) digital design, (l) systems and control theory, (m) circuits or generalized circuits, (n) communication systems, (o) power systems, (p) computer networks, (q) software development, (r) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, or soil mechanics.\n\nRelevant 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).\n\nFULL PERFORMANCE\nEntry is with a Bachelor's degree plus 3 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree plus 1 year of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree and no experience.\n\nSENIOR\nEntry is with a Bachelor's degree plus 7 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree plus 5 years of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree plus 3 years of relevant experience. \n\nEXPERT\nEntry is a Bachelor's degree plus 10 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree plus 8 years of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree plus 6 years of relevant experience. The NSA's Laboratory for Physical Sciences (LPS) has been advancing physical sciences research in future information technologies since 1956. LPS is a partnership between NSA and the University of Maryland. The focus of researchers at LPS is the physics and engineering behind information science and technology, including advanced communication, sensing, and computing technologies. \n\nWithin LPS is the office of Solid State and Quantum Physics, where we elucidate the fundamental behavior of quantum devices and related technologies by working across the US Government to drive world-class research at universities, companies, and national labs. This advancement is made by developing modeling and simulation tools to explore and assess new ideas discovered by LPS and others. Our goal is to identify and answer challenging scientific questions in order to provide meaningful advice on the feasibility of and challenges confronting quantum computing. Our customers include the NSA, the Intelligence Community, the Department of Defense, and the broader U.S. Government. LPS also plays a leading role in policy-making through engagements across Government.\n\nLPS is seeking a diverse set of scientists with experience in modeling and simulation, who are driven to push the frontiers of science. Our researchers work in a fast-paced team environment where university, industry, and federal government scientists collaborate on research in quantum and cryogenic devices to advance the state-of-the-art in communication, sensing, and computer technologies.\n\nLPS is excited to leverage your expertise, ideas, and vision as a Modeling and Simulation Researcher. You will lead research in modeling and simulation of quantum information systems and devices, with the goal of gaining a better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of various arrangements of quantum systems that can provide advantage over classical alternatives for computation and sensing.\n\nA successful candidate should have excellent problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills, and possess a range of knowledge and experience in at least two of the following areas:\n- Several layers of a quantum information system hierarchy, with an emphasis on logical functionality (e.g., fault tolerant methods, sensor network design, quantum algorithm development in the circuit model paradigm, etc.);\n- Physical constraints on quantum systems, including the impact of noise and other error sources;\n- Modeling and/or simulation to include ab initio software development, as well as the ability to leverage existing software, using languages such as Python and C++;\n- Quantum characterization (e.g., randomized benchmarking, tomographic methods, etc.).\n- Modeling and simulation of physical systems and familiarity with numerical techniques, domain decomposition, Monte Carlo simulation, and statistical analysis 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 is able to:\n\n- Apply knowledge of mathematics, engineering, cognitive sciences, and physical sciences to analyze problems and determine technical solutions\n- Work effectively across several different functional areas in a fast-paced, collaborative environment\n- Handle and prioritize multiple assignments\n- Synthesize information to solve complex problems