Postdoctoral Fellow (PREP0003231)

Inside Higher Ed; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious research institution is seeking a PREP Research Associate to support the NIST Temperature and Humidity Group. The ideal candidate will hold a Ph.D. and possess strong experimental research skills in temperature measurement. Responsibilities include designing advanced calibration equipment and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to enhance temperature measurement techniques. The position seeks motivated individuals aiming to contribute to the realization of national temperature standards in a highly precise laboratory environment.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. required in relevant fields.
• Research experience related to temperature measurement.
• Ability to operate and automate scientific test equipment.
• Ability to operate and automate scientific test equipment.
• Familiarity with design/simulation tools such as SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor, MuMax, COMSOL.
• Familiarity with programming languages Python, MATLAB, or LabVIEW.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and test advanced calibration equipment.
• Collaborate to implement new calibration methodologies.
• Conduct research to enhance temperature measurement precision.
• Document all experimental protocols and results.
• Maintain documentation of upgrades, protocols, calibration results, and findings.
• Archive results and share with the NIST community and stakeholders.
• Present findings at internal and external meetings and conferences.

Skills

Experimental research

Temperature measurement

High-precision instrumentation

Communication skills

Automation of scientific equipment

Design and simulation tools

Programming (Python, Matlab, LabVIEW)

Education

Ph.D. in physics, chemical engineering, or materials engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Autodesk Inventor

MuMax

COMSOL

Python

MATLAB

LabVIEW

Job description

Overview

PREP Research Associate
CHIPS Funded Project

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.

Research Title

Implementing Cutting-Edge Technologies for the Realization of Kelvin at NIST

The Work Will Entail

The NIST Temperature and Humidity Group is seeking a motivated individual with a background in physics, chemical engineering, or materials engineering to join our Standard Platinum Resistance Thermometer Calibration Laboratory (SPRTCL). The SPRTCL is the main facility in the United States responsible for realizing the kelvin using the International Temperature Scale of 1990 (ITS-90). The laboratory ensures the most precise temperature measurements with the lowest realized and transferred uncertainties, using Standard Platinum Resistance Thermometers (SPRTs) calibrated against nine fixed points ranging from Argon (-189°C) to Silver (961°C). As a member of our multi-disciplinary team, you will collaborate closely with experts in instrumentation, metrology, physics, and engineering to develop and enhance temperature measurement techniques and calibration systems. The laboratory is undergoing major equipment upgrades, and we seek a highly motivated individual to contribute to implementing these upgrades, ensuring the continued precision and accuracy of the United States\' national temperature standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to the design, testing, and integration of advanced temperature calibration equipment, ensuring upgrades align with NIST's standards and precision goals.
• Collaborate in the implementation of new equipment and methodologies that will enhance the SPRTCL\'s calibration capabilities and further minimize uncertainties in temperature measurements.
• Conduct research to explore new methods, tools, and technologies to enhance the precision of temperature measurements and reduce calibration uncertainties.
• Investigate novel approaches for improving the reliability and accuracy of temperature calibration, with an emphasis on the realization of the Kelvin and ITS-90.
• Maintain accurate and detailed documentation of equipment upgrades, experimental protocols, calibration results, and research findings to ensure transparency and reproducibility.
• Ensure that all results, protocols, software, and documentation are archived properly and shared with the larger NIST community and relevant stakeholders.
• Present research findings, technological developments, and calibration results at internal meetings, external stakeholder meetings, and scientific conferences.

Qualifications

• A Ph.D. in physics or chemical engineering or materials engineering.
• A background in conducting experimental research, particularly related to temperature measurement, high-precision instrumentation, or metrology.
• Ability to control, operate and automate scientific test equipment and instrumentation.
• Familiarity with design and simulation tools like SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor, MuMax, COMSOL, or similar.
• Familiarity with programming languages Python, Matlab, or LabVIEW.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

Application Instructions

Please upload the following with your application:

• CV/Resume
• 2 professional references
• Please limit CV to 3 pages and ONLY include a valid email address for your contact info. Do NOT include telephone numbers, home address or photos on your resume.

Privacy Act Statement

Authority: 15 U.S.C.

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

Purpose: 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.

Additional Information

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 not 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 the administrative functions of the PREP Program.

Routine Uses and Disclosure

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 the information you submit for the stated purpose.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, visit: apply.interfolio.com/165932

Salary and Benefits

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 depend on multiple factors, including 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.

Equal Opportunity

EEO Is The Law: https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf

Diversity and Inclusion

The Johns Hopkins University values diversity, equity and inclusion and advances these through our key strategic framework, the JHU Roadmap on Diversity and Inclusion.

Vaccination Policy

Johns Hopkins University strongly encourages, but no longer requires, at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine does not apply to positions located in the State of Florida. Seasonal flu vaccine is required. Exceptions for religious beliefs or medical reasons may be provided. Certain schools may have different requirements; consult your recruiter for campus-specific guidance.

Pre-Employment and Medical

The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, or involving research subjects may require documentation of immune status for Rubella, Rubeola, Mumps, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and Tdap vaccination as part of the physical exam. Vaccinations are provided at no cost where required.