Postdoctoral Fellow (PREP0004375)

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 85,447 - 89,000; Full time

Job summary

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc. is seeking a PREP Research Associate at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg, MD. This role involves conducting research on optical properties of materials, developing measurement methods, and collaborating with experts to tackle real-world challenges. A Ph.D. in a related field and hands-on experience with optical instruments are essential. This position offers opportunities for publishing research and attending scientific conferences.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in a relevant field is mandatory.
• Hands-on experience in design and construction of optical instruments is required.
• Demonstrated experience with laser technologies is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Develop and improve measurement methods for optical properties.
• Reduce measurement uncertainties for optical data.
• Design and refine experimental systems for optical metrology.
• Analyze complex datasets and perform uncertainty analysis.
• Publish findings in journals and present at conferences.

Skills

Optical instruments design

Laser technologies

Python programming

MATLAB programming

LabView programming

Education

Ph.D. in Physics, Optics, Engineering, Chemistry

Job description

Johns Hopkins, founded in 1876, is America's first research university and home to nine world‑class academic divisions working together as one university.

Salary

$85,447 - $89,000

Job Title

PREP Research Associate

Description

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (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, thus requires that such institutions must be the recipient 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

Researcher in Optical Properties of Materials

The work will entail

The Sensor Science Division at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking a researcher to advance the understanding and measurement of optical properties of materials. This role emphasizes developing innovative, high‑accuracy methods to characterize how materials interact with light—through reflectance, transmittance, and bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF)—across the ultraviolet, visible, and short‑wave infrared spectral regions. The researcher will work to reduce measurement uncertainties while exploring new approaches that enable more precise and reliable material characterization. In collaboration with experts at NIST, this work will address real‑world challenges such as improving the efficiency of solar energy materials, enabling more accurate remote sensing for climate monitoring, enhancing optical coatings for advanced imaging and defense systems, supporting semiconductor and advanced manufacturing processes, and improving material identification in fields ranging from biomedical diagnostics to cultural heritage preservation.

Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to

• Develop and improve high‑accuracy measurement methods for determining optical properties of materials, including reflectance, transmittance, and bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) across UV, visible, and short‑wave infrared spectral regions.
• Reduce measurement uncertainties and advance the reliability and traceability of optical property data.
• Design, build, and refine experimental systems and instrumentation for optical metrology.
• Apply optical property measurements to real‑world challenges, including energy materials, remote sensing, advanced manufacturing, and optical coatings.
• Analyze and interpret complex datasets, including uncertainty analysis and model development.
• Publish research findings in peer‑reviewed journals and present results at scientific conferences.
• Develop and sustain an independent, forward‑looking research program that expands the impact of optical material measurements across industry, government, and academia.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Physics, Optics, Engineering, Chemistry, or a closely related field.
• Hands‑on experience in design and construction of optical instruments.
• Demonstrated experience with laser technologies.
• Familiarity or direct experience with optical modeling.
• Programming proficiency with Python, MATLAB, or LabView for instrument control and data analysis.
• Evidence of independent research experience and a strong enthusiasm for learning new theoretical, computational, and experimental techniques.
• U.S. Citizen strongly preferred.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

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.