Carbon Nanotube Processing and Separations Research

National Institute of Standards and Technology; Gaithersburg (MD); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg, MD, invites applications for an associate researcher to advance processing and scale-up of separations of nanomaterials, including single-wall carbon nanotubes.

The role is within the Materials Measurement Laboratory, Particles Nanotube and Colloids project, and involves collaboration to support standardization and metrology development.

Qualifications

• PhD in Science or Engineering disciplines including Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, soft-matter physics, chemistry, colloidal science or related disciplines.
• Experience in synthesis, liquid-phase processing and separations, and characterization of nanomaterials by optical spectroscopic methods including near infrared, fluorescence, UV-vis, and/or Raman and fluorescence spectroscopy.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills. Demonstrated excellence in maintaining organized laboratory notebooks and data for archival and review purposes.

Responsibilities

• Optimize aqueous two-phase extraction-based separation of single-chirality single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) species.
• Advance scale-up capabilities for producing liter-scale volumes and support the standardization of nanotube sorting protocols.
• Apply processing and characterization methods developed by NIST for assessment of SWCNT species chirality, length, and morphological purity.

Skills

Communication skills

Lab notebook & data management

Education

PhD in Science or Engineering

Job description

Carbon Nanotube Processing and Separations Research

The Material Measurement Laboratory of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking qualified persons (U.S. citizens preferred) to advance processing and scale-up of separations of nanomaterials, including single wall carbon nanotubes. The applicant will work with a dynamic team in the Particles Nanotube and Colloids project to advance standards research and fundamental measurement science that serves broad-based technologies including advanced materials, semiconductors, advanced materials, and biosensing. Generated materials are also expected to support a wide variety of collaborative efforts, including interlaboratory comparisons and metrology development.

Duties

• Optimize aqueous two-phase extraction-based separation of single-chirality single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) species.
• Advance scale-up capabilities for producing liter-scale volumes and support the standardization of nanotube sorting protocols.
• Apply processing and characterization methods developed by NIST for assessment of SWCNT species chirality, length, and morphological purity.

Required Skills, Expertise, and Qualifications

• A PhD in Science or Engineering disciplines including Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, soft-matter physics, chemistry, colloidal science or related disciplines.
• Experience in synthesis, liquid-phase processing and separations, and characterization of nanomaterials by optical spectroscopic methods including near infrared, fluorescence, UV-vis, and/or Raman and fluorescence spectroscopy.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills. Demonstrated excellence in maintaining organized laboratory notebooks and data for archival and review purposes.

Employment Terms

This opportunity is to be an associate researcher in the NIST Materials Science and Engineering Division for a term of 1 year, with options to renew. Associate researchers are NOT Federal Employees, but they work along with NIST researchers and with NIST's world-class instrumentation. Relocation expenses will not be provided. U.S. citizens hired into associate positions may have the opportunity to seek longer term Federal Employment.