Assistant Research Scientist (PREP0005038)

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 48,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Johns Hopkins University is seeking a PREP Research Associate to support the Materials and Structural Systems Division within the Engineering Laboratory, under the NIST PREP program. The role involves hands‑on technical work, experimental testing, and collaboration on projects focused on 3D concrete printing and high‑temperature tensile testing of structural welds.

Qualifications include a Civil/Mechanical Engineering degree and experience with Python, LabVIEW, and CAD tools.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or Mechanical Engineering.
• Experience with Python, LabVIEW, AutoCAD, Inventor, or MTS TestSuite for lab support.
• Ability to operate power tools and lift equipment safely; training provided.
• Ability to work independently in a team environment.
• Experience with basic machine tools (drill press, band saw, lathe).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word for data analysis and reporting.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Support senior technicians to keep labs running safely and equipment calibrated.
• Help discard obsolete laboratory equipment.
• Assist with safety forms and hazard analyses.
• Collaborate to plan measurements and fabrication for tests.
• Collect and analyze data; assist with data acquisition systems.
• Design parts and fixtures using CAD for test setups.

Skills

Python

LabVIEW

AutoCAD

Inventor

MTS TestSuite

Education

Civil Engineering or Mechanical Engineering degree

Tools

AutoCAD

Inventor

MTS TestSuite

Job description

Johns Hopkins, founded in 1876, is America's first researchuniversity and home to nine world-class academic divisions workingtogether as one university.

Salary : $48,000-$55,000 a year

Johns Hopkins University: Whiting School of Engineering: Office ofResearch and Translation

Description

PREP Research Associate

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards (NIST)Professional Research Experience (PREP) program. NIST recognizesthat its research staff may wish to collaborate with researchers atacademic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest, thusrequires that such institutions must be the recipient of a PREPaward. The PREP program requires staff from a wide range ofbackgrounds to work on scientific research in many areas. TheResearch Engineer Assistant will work within the Materials andStructural Systems Division of the Engineering Laboratory,performing technical, hands-on work to support scientificprojects.

Research Title

Research Engineer Assistant – Materials and Structural SystemsDivision, Engineering Laboratory, NIST

U.S. Citizen Preferred

The work will entail

Providing essential technical support to multiple research projectsconducted within the Division's laboratories by utilizing advancedapparatuses, under close supervision from senior technician staffand researchers. Contributes technical expertise to thedevelopment, evaluation, and refinement of research plans andexperimental testing procedures, focused on 3D Concrete printing,tensile testing of structural welds specimens under hightemperature (up to 1,000 deg C), testing of concrete specimens withfiber reinforced polymers (FRP), including materials andlarge-scale structural testing (structural steel specimensand/or 3D printed concrete specimens). Under the supervisionof senior technician staff, executes complex experimental tasks,ensuring the successful execution of research projects with a focuson material properties and structural testing.

Key responsibilities will include but are not limitedto

• Supporting senior technician staff to ensure lab equipment isoperating optimally, lab spaces are well organized and safe toconduct experimental work. Perform routine maintenance andcalibration on lab equipment.
• Supporting senior technician staff in discarding inoperable andobsolete laboratory equipment.
• Supporting senior technician staff by addressing any labdeficiencies identified during workspace laboratory inspections byNIST Office of Safety, Health and Environment (OSHE).
• Collaborating with senior technician staff and researchers todevelop effective schedules and plans so thatmeasurements/fabrications are conceived and conducted effectively.This includes in-person meetings, detailed email communications,preparation of power point presentations tailored to be deliveredto other groups within the Division and externalstakeholders.
• Collecting data and refining specific project designs in a mannerconsistent with the project’s needs and performing data analysis oncollected data to ensure adherence to existing standards or for thedevelopment of new standards on materials and structuralperformance.
• Conducting administrative tasks to effectively maintainlaboratory operations. This includes in-depth market research toacquire new laboratory tools and equipment, assisting with thedevelopment of technical specifications for procurements.
• Identifying and pursuing training opportunities to enhanceproficiency in supporting the technical work associated with theDivision's projects. This includes actively seeking outprofessional development programs, technical certifications,workshops, and hands-on training sessions that align with thedivision’s technical objectives.
• Supports senior technician staff in developing comprehensivehazard reviews (HR) and job hazard analysis (JHA) documents toproactively identify, evaluate, and address potential safety risksassociated with laboratory activities. This process includesassessing tasks, equipment, and procedures to ensure compliancewith safety standards and regulations, while implementing effectivecontrols to mitigate risks.
• Assisting in performing market research for purchases requiredfor the laboratories.
• Collecting and analyzing data as requested by researchers andsenior technician staff.
• Helping set-up data acquisition systems and instrumentation onlarge scale structural testing specimens.
• Using CAD software to design parts and fixtures for differenttest set-ups.

Qualifications

Not all the qualifications below are required.

• A bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or MechanicalEngineering.
• Experience in using any of the following software like Python,LabVIEW, AutoCAD, Inventor, and MTS TestSuite for supportingexperimental work in the laboratories.
• Ability to safely operate power tools (concrete saws, concretedrilling equipment, hammer drills, portable hand saws etc.),scissor lifts, forklifts, and overhead cranes, as well asmaintenance of analytical instruments and systems to supportlaboratory operations. Training will be provided.
• Be able to work without close supervision in a teamenvironment.
• Experience with basic machine tools (e.g., drill press, band saw,lathe, etc.)
• Additional skills in Microsoft Office applications, such asExcel, PowerPoint, and Word, for data analysis and reporting.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

Privacy Act Statement

Purpose: The National Institute for Standards and Technology(NIST) hosts the Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) which isdesigned to provide valuable laboratory experience and financialassistance to undergraduates, post-bachelor’s degree holders,graduate students, master’s degree holders, postdocs, andfaculty.

Authority

15 U.S.C. § 278g-1(e)(1) and (e)(3) and 15 U.S.C.§ 272(b) and (c)

Routine Uses

NIST will use the information collected toperform the requisite reviews of the applications to determineeligibility, and to meet programmatic requirements. Disclosure ofthis information is also subject to all the published routine usesas identified in the Privacy Act System of Records Notices: NIST-1:NIST Associates.

Disclosure

Furnishing this information is voluntary. Whenyou submit the form, you are indicating your voluntary consent forNIST to use of the information you submit for the purpose stated.By applying to a CHIPS-funded PREP opportunity, you alsoacknowledge that participation in the project requires signing aNon-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) prior to beginning any work.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Salary Range

The referenced salary range represents the minimum and maximumsalaries for this position and is based on Johns HopkinsUniversity's good faith belief at the time of posting. Not allcandidates will be eligible for the upper end of the salary range.The actual compensation offered to the selected candidate may varyand will ultimately depend on multiple factors, which may includethe successful candidate's geographic location, skills, workexperience, internal equity, market conditions, education/trainingand other factors, as reasonably determined by theUniversity.

Total Rewards

Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package that supports ouremployees' health, life, career and retirement. More informationcan be found here: https://hr.jhu.edu/benefits-worklife/.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Johns Hopkins University is committed to equal opportunity forits faculty, staff, and students. To that end, the university doesnot discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, marital status,pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age,disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity orexpression, veteran status or other legally protectedcharacteristics. The University is committed to providing qualifiedindividuals access to all academic and employment programs,benefits and activities on the basis of demonstrated ability,performance and merit without regard to personal factors ordemographic characteristics that are irrelevant to the programinvolved.

Pre-Employment Information

If you are interested in applying for employment with Johns HopkinsUniversity and require special assistance or accommodation duringany part of the pre-employment process, please contact the HRBusiness Services Office at [e-mail] . ForTTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For moreinformation about workplace accommodations at Johns HopkinsUniversity for disabilities, medical conditions (including medicalconditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), accessibility, orreligious reasons, please visit accessibility.jhu.edu .

Background Checks

After receiving a conditional offer, the successful candidate(s)for this position will be subject to a pre-employment backgroundcheck including education verification. When deciding whether acandidate’s conviction history is job-disqualifying, the Universityconsiders the nature and gravity of the offense, the time that haspassed since the conviction, and the nature of the job beingsought.

EEO is the Law

https://www.eeoc.gov/employees-job-applicants

Vaccine Requirements

Johns Hopkins University strongly encourages, but no longerrequires, at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. This changedoes not apply to the School of Medicine (SOM). SOM hires must befully vaccinated with an FDA COVID-19 vaccination and provide proofof vaccination status. We still require all faculty, staff, andstudents to receive the seasonalflu vaccine . Exceptions to the seasonal flu vaccine or COVID-19 vaccine (forSOM) requirement(s) may be provided to individuals with sincerelyheld religious beliefs or medical conditions that preclude themfrom receiving the vaccine. Requests for an exception must besubmitted to the JHU vaccination registry. For additionalinformation, applicants for SOM positions should visit https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/and all other JHU applicants should visit https://covidinfo.jhu.edu/health-safety/covid-vaccination-information/.

*The following additional vaccine requirements may apply,depending upon your campus. Please contact the hiring departmentfor more information.

The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas,laboratories, working with research subjects, or involvingcommunity contact requires documentation of immune status againstRubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella(chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received theTdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may includedocumentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicellavaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratorytesting. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases areordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except forthose candidates who provide results of blood tests or immunizationdocumentation from their own health care providers. Anyvaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no costin our Occupational Health office.