Associate Research Scientist (PREP0005164)

Johns Hopkins University; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore seeks a PREP Research Associate to advance the durability of additively constructed structures through accelerated weathering, multi-scale mechanical testing, and non-destructive evaluation. The role supports collaboration with NIST ACE and develops new test methods and design guidance.

The candidate will work on cementitious materials, structural health monitoring, and material damage analysis, with preferred U.S. citizenship and US residence.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or higher in mechanical, civil, or materials engineering or related science with emphasis on multi-scale structural testing.
• Hands-on lab experience in mechanical characterization, nanoindentation, TGA, DSC, FTIR spectroscopy, AFM, and optical microscopy.
• Experience with analysis software (e.g., Excel, Origin) and basic programming in Python or R is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Review literature and test results from previous investigations.
• Perform print operations on 7-axis multi-component mortar robot printer.
• Assist in PLC and other system integration of pumps, fixtures, and sensors for printing operations.
• Characterize mechanical performance of cast and printed elements.
• Prepare samples for microscopy investigations.
• Present results and write protocols and technical reports.

Skills

Robotic systems

Additive manufacturing

Concrete materials

Structural health monitoring

Data analysis

Code familiarity

Education

Master's degree or higher in Mechanical/Civil/Materials Eng.

Tools

Excel

Origin

AutoCAD

Rhino

Grasshopper

Ansys

Abaqus

Job description

PREP Research Associate

Evaluating the Durability of Additively Constructed Structures

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards (NIST) Professional Research Experience (PREP) program. NIST recognizes that its research staff may wish to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest and thus requires that such institutions be the recipients of a PREP award. The PREP program requires staff from a wide range of backgrounds to work on scientific research in many areas. Employees in this position will perform technical work that underpins the scientific research of the collaboration.

Overview:

The Infrastructure Materials Group at the Engineering Laboratory of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking qualified persons (U.S. Citizens preferred) to develop test and material standards to assess the durability of Additively Constructed elements through accelerated weathering, multi-scale mechanical testing, and non-destructive testing.

The work will entail:

This PREP Researcher associate should have knowledge of robotic systems, additive manufacturing and construction, evaluating cementitious materials and concrete structures with expertise in the following areas: concrete/ cement characterization, instrumented mechanical testing for strain evolution, structural health monitoring, and material damage analysis or modeling. The researcher should also have a working knowledge of current building codes and testing standards used in the United States. If selected, you will play a significant role in the development of new test methods and design guidance for additive construction as well as be part of NIST's Additive Construction by Extrusion (ACE) Consortium, which includes working with NIST staff and external partners on planning and executing experimental research. These findings, if warranted, will lead to proposing guidance, codes, and/or standards provisions for improved resilience of additively constructed structures.

Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Review literature and test results from previous investigations.


• Perform print operations on 7-axis multi component mortar robot printer.


• Assist in PLC and other system integration of pumps, fixtures, and various sensors associated with printing operations.


• Characterize mechanical performance of cast and printed elements.


• Prepare samples for microscopy investigations.


• Present results in the group and other related meetings, writing protocols, and technical reports.

Ensure that results, protocols, software, and documentation have been archived.

US citizens preferred; currently living in the United States.

Qualifications

• A master's degree or higher in mechanical, Civil, or Materials Engineering background, or a related science field with an emphasis on multi-scale structural testing.


• Hands-on laboratory experiences on mechanical characterization, nanoindentation, TGA, DSC, FTIR spectroscopy, AFM, optical microscopy


• Experience using analysis software (e.g., Excel, Origin)


• Experience using R or Python for database and data analysis is a plus


• Experience in AutoCAD, RHINO, and Grasshopper


• Experience in Ansys, Abaqus, or other FEM modeling software is a plus


• Ability to work with real-time event data at scale.


• Ability to develop prototypes of tools needed to analyze data.

Privacy Act Statement

The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) hosts the Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) which is designed to provide valuable laboratory experience and financial assistance to undergraduates, post-bachelor's degree holders, graduate students, master's degree holders, postdocs, and faculty.

PREP is a 5-year cooperative agreement between NIST laboratories and participating PREP Universities to establish a collaborative research relationship between NIST and U.S. institutions of higher education in the following disciplines including (but may not be limited to) biochemistry, biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, engineering, electronics, materials science, mathematics, nanoscale science, neutron science, physical science, physics, and statistics. This collection of information is needed to facilitate administrative functions of the PREP Program.

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 to perform the requisite reviews of the applications to determine eligibility, and to meet programmatic requirements. Disclosure of this information is also subject to all the published routine uses as identified in the Privacy Act System of Records Notices: NIST-1: NIST Associates.

Disclosure: Furnishing this information is voluntary. When you submit the form, you are indicating your voluntary consent for NIST to use of the information you submit for the purpose stated.

Salary Range

The referenced salary range represents the minimum and maximum salaries for this position and is based on Johns Hopkins University's good faith belief at the time of posting. Not all candidates will be eligible for the upper end of the salary range. The actual compensation offered to the selected candidate may vary and will ultimately depend on multiple factors, which may include the successful candidate's geographic location, skills, work experience, internal equity, market conditions, education/training and other factors, as reasonably determined by the University.

Total Rewards

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

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Johns Hopkins University is committed to equal opportunity for its faculty, staff, and students. To that end, the university does not discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, marital status, pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status or other legally protected characteristics. The university is committed to providing qualified individuals access to all academic and employment programs, benefits and activities on the basis of demonstrated ability, performance and merit without regard to personal factors or demographic characteristics that are irrelevant to the program involved.

Pre-Employment Information

If you are interested in applying for employment with Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the HR Business Services Office at [e-mail]. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For more information about workplace accommodations at Johns Hopkins University for disabilities, medical conditions (including medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), accessibility, or religious 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 background check including education verification. When deciding whether a candidate's conviction history is job-disqualifying, the University considers the nature and gravity of the offense, the time that has passed since the conviction, and the nature of the job being sought.

EEO is the Law

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

Vaccine Requirements

Johns Hopkins University strongly encourages, but no longer requires, at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. This change does not apply to the School of Medicine (SOM). SOM hires must be fully vaccinated with an FDA COVID-19 vaccination and provide proof of vaccination status. We still require all faculty, staff, and students to receive the seasonal flu vaccine.

Exceptions to the seasonal flu vaccine or COVID-19 vaccine (for SOM) requirement(s) may be provided to individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs or medical conditions that preclude them from receiving the vaccine. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry. For additional information, 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 department for more information.

The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those candidates who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.