Postdoctoral Fellow (PREP0004695)

Johns Hopkins University; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Total rewards package including health and retirement benefits

Job summary

Johns Hopkins University is seeking a PREP Research Associate for a CHIPS funded project. This role focuses on the development of a neutron generator-based instrument and involves designing detection systems, performing analysis, and publishing findings. Candidates should hold a PhD in Nuclear Engineering and possess extensive expertise in radiation detection principles and nuclear electronics.

This position offers a unique opportunity to collaborate with NIST researchers and contribute to significant scientific research. Total rewards and equal opportunity commitments are also part of the university's offerings.

Qualifications

• PhD in Nuclear Engineering or a related field.
• Proficiency in radiation detection principles based on neutron and gamma ray interaction with materials.
• Experience with radiation transport simulations and demonstration of hands-on ability in the design and assembly of neutron moderators for optimal thermal output.
• Expertise in nuclear digital and analog electronics related to operation of high purity germanium detectors and gamma-ray spectrometry.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement a neutron moderator for the neutron generator.
• Establish neutron and gamma ray detection systems for PGAA measurements.
• Perform PGAA spectral analysis.
• Investigate coincidence detection scheme to enhance detection limits.
• Publish findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at meetings.

Skills

Proficiency in radiation detection principles

Experience with radiation transport simulations

Hands-on ability in neutron moderator design

Expertise in nuclear digital and analog electronics

Education

PhD in Nuclear Engineering or related field

Job description

General Description

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. U.S. Citizen Preferred.

Research Title

Development of neutron generator-based prompt gamma activation analysis (PGAA) instrument

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement a neutron moderator for the neutron generator to produce a thermal neutron irradiation sample position.
• Establish neutron and gamma ray detection systems including detectors and electronics for PGAA measurements for elemental analysis in semiconductor materials.
• Perform PGAA spectral analysis.
• Investigate coincidence detection scheme to enhance detection limits.
• Publish findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals and present at relevant meetings and conferences.

Qualifications

• PhD in Nuclear Engineering or a related field.
• Proficiency in radiation detection principles based on neutron and gamma ray interaction with materials.
• Experience with radiation transport simulations and demonstration of hands‑on ability in the design and assembly of neutron moderators for optimal thermal output.
• Expertise in nuclear digital and analog electronics related to operation of high purity germanium detectors and gamma‑ray spectrometry.

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 at 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.