Postdoctoral Fellow (PREP0004199)

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Johns Hopkins University is seeking a PREP Research Associate for a CHIPS funded project with NIST. This role requires a Ph.D. in polymer science or related fields, expertise in advanced rheology techniques, and experience in thermal analysis. Responsibilities include designing rheological characterization experiments, leading project tasks, and publishing research results. Candidates should possess strong quantitative skills, be able to work onsite in Gaithersburg, and hold a track record in technical communication. This position supports the Materials Science project and aims to advance scientific research.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in polymer science, materials science, chemical engineering, or a related discipline is required.
• Expertise in advanced rheology techniques is essential.
• Experience with thermal analysis techniques including calibration/validation is needed.
• Strong quantitative and data skills for processing and modeling are necessary.
• Demonstrable track record of technical writing and cross-functional project leadership.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute rheological characterization of complex fluids.
• Lead thermal and thermomechanical characterization activities.
• Characterize and model reactive and curing systems.
• Author publications and present research findings to stakeholders.

Skills

Rheology

Thermal analysis

Quantitative and data skills

Technical writing

Project leadership

Additive manufacturing

Education

Ph.D. in polymer science, materials science, chemical engineering, or related discipline

Tools

Matlab

Python

Origin

JMP

Job description

Position

PREP Research Associate – CHIPS Funded Project (National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)). This position is part of NIST’s Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) and will support a collaboration on the Materials science and rheology of complex polymeric and composite materials.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute rheological characterization of complex fluids and soft solids
• Lead thermal and thermomechanical characterization
• Characterize and model reactive/curing systems
• Build structure-property insights through multimodal characterization
• Author publications and present research to stakeholders

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in polymer science, materials science, chemical engineering, or a related discipline.
• Expertise in rheology, including advanced techniques such as orthogonal superposition rheology and large amplitude oscillatory shear rheology.
• Experience with thermal analysis (DSC and at least one of DMA, TGA, TMA, CTE, or thermal conductivity methods), including calibration/validation.
• Solid background in cure kinetics, chemorheology, and polymer physics.
• Experience with additive manufacturing (extrusion-based and vat photopolymerization).
• Strong quantitative and data skills (Matlab, Python, Origin, JMP) for processing large datasets, fitting models, and producing publication-quality figures.
• Track record of technical writing and communicating results to mixed audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects, mentor students/postdocs, and coordinate cross-functional collaborations.
• Ability to work on-site in a laboratory setting in Gaithersburg, MD and meet all safety and training requirements.
• U.S. Citizen Preferred.

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 characteristic. 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 that are irrelevant to the program involved.

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