Department of Physics, University of Colorado at Boulder

PhD physics student wanted to perform research on methods and applications of digitized microfluidics. This is an emerging field with great potential for significant progress in the near term. Research areas include theoretical modeling and numerical simulation of the fluid mechanics, electrodynamics, and solid state physics of microfluidic actuation methods, as well as experimentation and fabrication of microfluidic systems. A wide array of physical phenomena, including contact angle hysteresis and saturation, are open for fundamental exploration.

Dr. Kamran Mohseni is an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Engineering Sciences. This research project is of a physics nature, and has been approved for use towards the PhD Physics degree. Hiring immediately or at the end of the semester. Please see Dr. Mohseni's website for more details URL: http://enstrophy.colorado.edu/~mohseni/



		Current Openings for Grads & Undergrads Please note that not all groups list research positions in this section. You should also consult individual professors for research positions. Please help us to keep this list current: E-mail the webmaster if you have been selected for a position from this list. RAISE solar rocket program (Posted 4/16/2008) The astrophysics department (APS) has an opening for a graduate student who is interested in space flight instrumentation, particularly solar UV spectral imaging. RAISE (Rapid Acquisition Imaging Spectrograph) is a sounding rocket payload that is designed to take high- speed spectral images of the solar chromosphere in the UV band just longward of Lyman alpha. The cameras in the payload will be able to frame at rates more than 10X faster than any previous solar observations in this key wavelength interval, and the goal is to measure the elusive wave spectrum of disturbances that propagate up through the photosphere and ultimately dump their energy in the chromospheric layers. Work on this project initially will involve assembly of the rocket payload (which currently is housed in CASA's ARL engineering facility on East Campus), testing and integration, flight operations, and subsequent analysis of the spectral data, possibly including sophisticated model atmospheres analyses. The RAISE rocket project has been funded for two launches (in one year and three years), and will require design changes before the second flight. This is a great opportunity to be involved in cutting edge solar research and be involved with the entire aspect of design / integration / testing / launch / science of space flight instrumentation. Don Hassler of SwRI is the official PI, but you would primarily be working with me (Glenn Laurent), the lead scientist on the project. I recently defended my PhD here at CU a couple of years ago (2006). If you are interested, please contact either Glenn Laurent (glaurent@colorado.edu), Don Hassler (hassler@swri.boulder.edu) or Tom Ayres (Thomas.Ayres@Colorado.edu). Graduate Research Opportunity at NIST (Posted 4/9/2008) The Optoelectronics Division of NIST in Boulder is seeking a graduate-level student for research beginning in the summer of 2008 and continuing as a PhD or MS thesis project. The goal of the work is to determine impurity levels in gases used for semiconductor manufacturing with record sensitivity levels by means of cavity ringdown spectroscopy. The research project will include converting the optics of an existing system (pictured below) to couple with a state-of-the-art CW OPO laser source with tunable output in the 2650 to 2850 nm wavelength range, a region that has not been well-explored for gas purity measurements. Applicable concepts include cavity locking methods, Gaussian beam optics, optical modulator operation, and high speed detection. The system is also linked to semiconductor crystal growth machines to allow correlation of impurity concentration with materials properties, including properties of GaN nanowires. Joint work with industrial research teams is also planned. Please contact Dr. Kris Bertness, 303-497-5069 or bertness@boulder.nist.gov <mailto:bertness@boulder.nist.gov>, preferably by April 18, for more info. Paperwork deadlines are rapidly approaching… Participation in this research opportunity is through the University of Colorado PREP program, and the University of Colorado coordinator for graduate PREP students is Prof. Neil Ashby. The PREP program requires a 3.0 GPA for continued support. Summer research is encouraged (and supported) in this program. Stipends are determined by the student’s home department. CIRES Graduate Research Assistant position in ionospheric current modeling at NOAA/NGDC (Posted 03/13/2008) This NASA-funded graduate assistantship, located at the National Geophysical Data Center / NOAA, focuses on the numerical modeling of ionospheric current systems. These electrical currents at about 90 km to 800 km altitude above the Earth surface are driven by high-altitude atmospheric winds, electric fields, gravity fields, and gradients in the ionospheric plasma density. Electrical conductivity in the ionosphere is interesting because the current flows not only in the direction of the electric field, but also perpendicular to the electric and magnetic field. Taking into account this anisotropy in the electrical conductivity, the ionospheric currents can be inferred as the solution of a partial differential equation. The resulting current estimates will provide essential inputs to the processing of magnetic and electric field measurements from a new generation of low-orbiting satellites. Extensive use will be made of existing software and expertise at NGDC/NOAA and NCAR/HAO. This position requires a good understanding of classical electrodynamics and a strong interest in differential equations and numerical modeling. Good programming skills in C are essential. The modeling will be carried out on Linux servers, making use of available numerical libraries. This project has 3 years of RA support and will lead to a PhD thesis. The student will have opportunities to present results at conferences. The geomagnetism group at NGDC/NOAA is involved in modeling and interpretation of magnetic field contributions from the Earth???s core, mantle, crust, oceans, ionosphere and magnetosphere. A good overview of our activities is given on our web sites http://geomag.org and http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomag/. For further information please address inquiries to Stefan Maus (Stefan.Maus@noaa.gov, 303-497-6522) See also the related CIRES Research Assistant position in the analysis of satellite magnetic field measurements (http://cires.colorado.edu/). To apply, please send your resume and a list of three references by email to Stefan.Maus@noaa.gov fax (303 497 6513), or regular mail to: Stefan Maus, NOAA/NGDC E/GC1, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80305. The University of Colorado at Boulder is committed to diversity and equality in education and employment. CIRES Graduate Research Assistant position in the analysis of satellite magnetic field measurements at NOAA/NGDC (Posted 03/13/2008) Exciting graduate research possibilities exist with the magnetic field satellite missions CHAMP (launched in 2000), Communication and Navigation Outage Forecast Satellite (C/NOFS, launched in 2008) and the satellite constellation mission Swarm (scheduled for launch in 2010). This new generation of low orbiting satellites is measuring the Earth???s magnetic and electric fields in unprecedented resolution and accuracy. This NASA-funded graduate assistantship focuses on hands-on satellite data processing and analysis. Processing steps include data selection, quality control, calibration, and computation of residuals by subtracting known contributions to the magnetic and electric fields using existing models. In the subsequent analysis steps, including visualization and modeling, the new data sets will be used to gain a better understanding of the electrodynamics of the Earth system. Key scientific questions to be addressed are: (1) mapping the electrical conductivity of the Earth???s interior and (2) understanding the relation between electromagnetic fields in the ionosphere and the occurrence of plasma irregularities which disturb radio communication and GPS navigation systems. This position requires a basic understanding of electrodynamics and a strong interest in data processing, modeling, visualization and analysis. Good programming skills in C are essential. The processing will be carried out on Linux servers. This project has 3 years of RA support and will lead to a PhD thesis. The student will have opportunities to present results at conferences. The geomagnetism group at NGDC/NOAA is involved in modeling and interpretation of magnetic field contributions from the Earth???s core, mantle, crust, oceans, ionosphere and magnetosphere. A good overview of our activities is given on our web sites http://geomag.org and http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomag/. For further information, please address inquiries to Stefan Maus (Stefan.Maus@noaa.gov, 303-497-6522). See also the related CIRES Research Assistant position in ionospheric current modeling (http://cires.colorado.edu/). To apply, please send your resume and a list of three references by email to Stefan.Maus@noaa.gov fax (303 497 6513), or regular mail to: Stefan Maus, NOAA/NGDC E/GC1, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80305. The University of Colorado at Boulder is committed to diversity and equality in education and employment. Graduate Research Assistant in Theoretical Atomic Physics (Posted 02/25/2008) I will join the faculty of JILA and the CU Physics Department in the Fall of 2008 and I am looking for a motivated graduate research assistant to become involved in theoretical studies of atomic, molecular, and optical systems. My research interests are in the areas of degenerate quantum gases, optical lattice systems, correlated many-body simulations and quantum information. If you are interested contact Ana Maria Rey at arey@jilau1.colorado.edu. Additional information about my research can be found at http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/~arey/ Particle Physics Openings (Posted 11/28/2007 - Closed 3/18/08) Filled Graduate RA Position available in Condensed Matter Experiment (reposted 10/23/2007) We are starting a joint CU/National Renewable Energy Laboratory research program, to fabricate and measure the electrical performance of transistors made from transparent conductive oxides in the Indium-Zinc oxide system. Transparent conductive materials are important components in a large number of energy efficient technologies such as photovoltaics and efficient lighting. We are interested in demonstrating transistor behavior in transparent conductors. If successful, transparent conductive transistors could allow for logic and control functionality to be integrated into e.g., smart window applications. Transistors also allow for direct electronic probing of the fundamental electronic structure of these transparent conductors. Figure 1 shows an example of a thin-film transistor made from transparent conductive SrTiO3. We plan to hire a Graduate Research Assistant to participate in the program. The work will involve learning the use of electron and atomic force microscopy, electron beam and photolithography for creating the structures, cryogenic measurement systems, optical spectroscopy, and low noise electronics. The project can provide two full years of RA support, and should lead to a Ph.D. thesis project. Interested students should contact Prof. Chuck Rogers, (303) 492-4476, for more information. Graduate student thesis opportunity (Posted 9/30/2006) The plasma physics laboratory (Duane G-318/322) is looking for a grad student to carry out a Dept. of Energy project to investigate nanoparticles in plasma. The student will generate nanometer sized particles which will float in a low-pressure inert gas. Charging of the nanoparticles will be investigated in plasma and in UV illumination. The purpose will be to develop and check models for aerosol charging in the upper atmosphere. See Prof. Scott Robertson in Duane G-322. Space weather modeling research positions at LASP (Posted 8/24/2006) As part of the Center for Integrated Space Weather Modeling (CISM) activities in Boulder (lasp.colorado.edu/cism/) we work together with the NOAA Space Environment Center (SEC) to ready CISM models for operational use. We invite undergraduate and graduate students from aerospace, computer science, applied math, and physics to apply for research positions. The candidates will be able to choose among a broad range of projects from helping with parameter studies of a forecast model to contributing to the code development of a real-time implementation. If you are interested please contact Michael Gehmeyr (gehmeyr@lasp.colorado.edu). RA in Digital Micro/Nanofluidics PhD physics student wanted to perform research on methods and applications of digitized microfluidics. This is an emerging field with great potential for significant progress in the near term. Research areas include theoretical modeling and numerical simulation of the fluid mechanics, electrodynamics, and solid state physics of microfluidic actuation methods, as well as experimentation and fabrication of microfluidic systems. A wide array of physical phenomena, including contact angle hysteresis and saturation, are open for fundamental exploration. Dr. Kamran Mohseni is an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Engineering Sciences. This research project is of a physics nature, and has been approved for use towards the PhD Physics degree. Hiring immediately or at the end of the semester. Please see Dr. Mohseni's website for more details URL: http://enstrophy.colorado.edu/~mohseni/ Physics/Engineering Undergraduate Research Position at LASP The Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) is a world-renowned space science research institute at the University of Colorado. Funded primarily by NASA, members of LASP conduct fundamental research in atmospheric, solar and planetary sciences. Because LASP is a part of the University of Colorado, students have a unique opportunity to participate in research projects while working on their academic degrees. The Solar Measurements group at LASP is looking for an enthusiastic undergraduate research student with broad interests in science and engineering to participate in on-going and future solar spectral irradiance measurement programs. These programs focus on the design, development and characterization of optical instrumentation for NASA space flight programs for accurately measuring solar radiation and improving our understanding of the Sun. The successful candidate will be expected to work on a variety of existing programs involving opto-mechanical instrumentation for application in vacuum and space flight environments. Specific research responsibilities will include working closely with LASP scientists and engineers on the development of state-of-the-art optical systems, detectors and associated electronics. The applicant should have a strong interest in experimental techniques in optics, spectroscopy and laboratory instrumentation. Familiarity with data acquisition and processing software (e.g. LabVIEW, MatLab , IDL) is also desirable. Requirements: Full time student in Physics or Engineering in good academic standing with at least 3 or more semesters remaining. Applicants should plan to work 15-20 hours per week during the Fall and Spring semesters and may work up to 40 hours per week during the summer sessions. Work hours are flexible and academic credit may be available. Pay range is $9 - $12 per hour and is commensurate with the applicant’s experience. To apply see the LASP website for details (http://lasp.colorado.edu). Submit a resume, a brief letter of interest and a copy of your academic record to: HRADS@lasp.colorado.edu or mail to LASP, University of Colorado, 1234 Innovation Dr., Boulder, CO 80303. Reference position UR092105. The University of Colorado is committed to diversity and equality in education and employment. RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY AT LASP IN ATMOPSHERIC SCIENCES We are looking for a motivated graduate student to work on the AIM mission with goal of writing a PhD dissetation. AIM (Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere) is a NASA satellite mission designed to study Polar Mesospheric Clouds (PMCs). The PI is Jim Russell at Hampton University, but there are several CoIs at CU/LASP. AIM will be launched in September of 2006, and we are in the midst of scientific preparations now. LASP is building two of the three instruments onboard the spacecraft; we are also managing the mission and will be operating it after launch. You can find information at http://aim.hamptonu.edu/. The graduate student who is hired will be working with Cora Randall, Dave Rusch (senior scientist at LASP) and Gary Thomas (Senior scientist at LASP and emeritus professor) on AIM (and other relevant missions) data analysis and theory. Please let me know if this opportunity is of interest to you. If so, we will schedule a time for an interview. We look forward to hearing from you! Please contact: Dr. David W. Rusch Senior Research Scientist Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics University of Colorado Campus Box 392 Boulder, CO 80409-0392 Voice: 303 492 8627 Fax: 303 492 6946 Email: David.Rusch@lasp.colorado.edu "Nanophotonics, computational optical imaging, and ultrafast lasers processing" Research opportunities available for outstanding graduate students. The candidate(s) will work in the investigation of next generation photonic devices, systems, and fabrication processes. Research in experimental and theoretical areas is possible. For further information contact Prof. Rafael Piestun. Graduate Research Assistant in High-Energy Nuclear Physics I am looking for a graduate research assistant to become involved in th experimental study of the quark-gluon structure of the nucleon. This research involves production and analysis of high-energy reactions from accelerators at Brookhaven National Lab (BNL) and the Germany Synchrotron (DESY). The position is open at present. For more information, contact Ed Kinney at Edward.Kinney at colorado.edu, or call x2-0455. Research Assistant Position The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) is seeking a graduate research assistant to participate in an active multi-institute research program in the area of solar and heliospheric studies. Funding is available through the NSF-funded Center for Integrated Space Weather Modeling (see http://www.bu.edu/cism or http://sprg.ssl.berkeley.edu/cism). Contact: Dusan Odstrcil NOAA/Space Environment Center 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80303. e-mail: dusan@odstrcil@noaa.gov More Information Biophysics Research Opportunity The Jimenez laboratory has research openings to study the vibrational dynamics of proteins using femtosecond spectroscopy. We are also developing methods for characterizing slow (microsecond to multi-second) biochemical processes by interfacing femtosecond lasers with microfluidics devices. Contact Dr. Ralph Jimenez at rjimenez[at]jila.colorado.edu NIST Cryogenic Sensor Group - Grad We are currently developing microcalorimeters and bolometers based on superconducting thin-films cooled to 0.1 K. These devices allow far-infrared and x-ray radiation to be measured with unprecedented sensitivity. We are also developing cryogenic multiplexers based on Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs) to measure signals from arrays of 10^3 sensors. We are currently building focal plane components for the James-Clerk Maxwell Telescope on Mauna Kea and the upcoming x-ray satellite Constellation-X. Another possible research area is the construction of a refrigerator based on the quantum-mechanical tunneling of electrons through normal-insulator-superconductor junctions. Recent results in our laboratory suggest that a simple, reliable refrigerator can be made in this fashion to cool detectors to 0.1 K for commercial x-ray microanalysis. A description of group activities can be found by following the links to 'What We Do' and 'Cryogenic Sensors' at http://www.boulder.nist.gov/div814/. Student researchers will work closely with a staff mentor. They will also interact with post-docs and other staff members in the CSG. Student researchers will have the opportunity to learn widely used thin-film deposition and processing techniques in NIST's state-of-the-art clean room. Student researchers will acquire familiarity with low-noise electronics, cryogenic techniques, and the physics of superconducting devices. Opportunities also exist for students to pursue their dissertation research in the CSG. The salary is equal to a graduate student's salary. (Currently $3466/month for full-time work if comps have been passed; $3224/month full-time if comps have not yet been passed. The Regents will decide on salaries for AY 2003-2004 in June.) To apply, contact Dr. Joel Ullom at ullom@boulder.nist.gov or 303-497-4408. NIST Time and Frequency Division - Grad or Undergrad Undergrad or grad is needed for general work with oscillators for making noise measurements. The Time and Frequency Division maintains the standard unit of time interval for the nation. Applicants should have a strong interest in math modeling and time-series statistics. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or hold a permanent resident visa. Contact Dave Howe at dhowe@boulder.nist.gov or (303) 497-3277. NIST Time and Frequency Division - Grad or Undergrad Undergrad or grad is needed for simulation studies and modeling of noise in high spectral purity oscillators. The Time and Frequency Division maintains the standard unit of time interval for the nation. Applicants must be willing to be trained in making noise measurements, interpreting results, and developing specialized oscillators and frequency standards. Applicants should have existing skills in MatLab and MatLab resource tools, C++, and Xilinx or Alterra programmable logic. Classes taken in time-series analysis are beneficial, but not essential. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or hold a permanent resident visa. Contact David Howe at dhowe@boulder.nist.gov or (303) 497-3277. NREL Material Science and Solid State Physics - Grad RA Graduate student research positions are available at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Research is done in collaboration with CU faculty and the position is funded by NREL. NREL is located in Golden, CO. Our interdisciplinary group in the Electronic Materials and Devices Division concentrates on the material science and solid state physics of new materials or materials deposited in new ways. Areas with openings include: Polymer Based Photovoltaic Cells: Polymer Photovoltaics offer the potential of low cost large area energy production. We have an expanding program in looking at the materials science and fundamental photophysics of organic based devices, particularly in the interrelationships between exciton generation and mobile charge carrier formation in heterostructures. Direct Write Materials Deposition: Inkjet printing offers the potential with proper ink development to directly write a wide variety of opto-electronic structures. It is particularly interesting for devices using very different materials such as oxides, polymers and metals. We are developing both the writing techniques as well as the ink development followed by subsequent processing to unique materials and devices. Contact John Perkins at john_perkins@nrel.gov or David Ginley david_ginley@nrel.gov. NIST Optoelectronics - Grad RA NIST Nanostructure Fabrication and Metrology (within the Optoelectronic Manufacturing Group) has an opening for a graduate student in experimental solid state research. The student would work with Graduate Advisor Rich Mirin and Post Doc Mark Su. The position can start immediately or in the fall, depending on applicant's availability. Contact Rich Mirin at mirin@boulder.nist.gov. Soft Matter Science and Technology - Grad or Undergrad Liquid Crystal Physics seeks Graduate and Undergraduate students with a passion for research to work on cutting-edge basic and applied projects in soft matter science. The LC group, led by Professors Clark, Maclennan, and Glaser, is part of the Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal Materials Research Center, an interdisciplinary Center combining groups in Physics, Chemistry, and Engineering to design, synthesize, and characterize novel liquid crystal, polymer, and colloid materials and systems. The LC group applies a variety of techniques to such problems including probe microscopy (STM and AFM) electron microscopy, synchrotron x-ray diffraction, optical microscopy and tweezers, confocal microscopy, nonlinear optics, infrared spectroscopy. Current projects include a world-wide collaborative study of the phases of V-shaped molecules [Science, 301, 1204 (2003)], and OASIS (Observation and Analysis of Smectic Islands in Space), to fly on the International Space Station in 2007. This activity also includes an active program of computer simulation and modeling of molecular organization in soft matter systems, carried on the group's computer cluster. Undergraduate research in this group has been quite successful, with the last two senior thesis students publishing and receiving Summa honors. Contact Noel Clark (noel.clark@colorado.edu), Joe Maclennan (jem@colorado.edu), or Matt Glaser (glaser@colorado.edu). Please include a brief resume. Year-Round Opportunities For Undergrads UROP - Undergrad The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program gives undergrads money to do research or creative work. Students can apply as individuals, in pairs and as groups. If interested, find a professor to work with, come up with a project and submit a proposal. Check out their home page and quick overviews. Liquid Crystal Research - For Under Represented Undergrads Students collaborate with FLC MRC members in experimental research, computer modeling and animations of molecule dynamics. Elibigle students include Hispanic, African American, American Indian, Native Alaskan and Pacific Islander undergrads. Visit the FLC MRC employment page or contact flcmrc-outreach@bly.colorado.edu. To add a position, e-mail mapp@colorado.edu.

Current Openings for Grads & Undergrads