Senior Research Scientist (PREP0004140)

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc. is seeking a Pre- and Post-doctoral Research Associate focused on Nanoscale Thermal Metrology Using Nanocalorimetry. This position, part of the NIST Professional Research Experience Program, involves designing new instrumentation and conducting thermal measurements.

Applicants should have a Ph.D. in a relevant field and strong LabVIEW skills. The role offers a salary between $90,000 and $100,000 annually with an initial term of one year, with possibilities for renewal.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in a relevant field required.
• Experience with LabVIEW and custom lab instruments essential.
• Strong communication skills are necessary.

Responsibilities

• Design and build new instrumentation for nanocalorimetry.
• Conduct thermal property measurements of thin film materials.
• Publish scientific findings and present at conferences.

Skills

LabVIEW skills

PCB layout

Analog circuit design

Nanofabrication processes

Thermal property measurements

Communication skills

Education

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

Tools

Custom laboratory instrumentation

Cleanroom experience

Job description

Position Overview

Pre- and Post-doctoral Research Associate – Nanoscale Thermal Metrology Using Nanocalorimetry (U.S. Citizens Preferred). This role is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) and is funded by the CHIPS Initiative.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and assemble new instrumentation to improve accuracy, sensitivity, speed, and stability of nanocalorimetry measurements, including the development of LabVIEW-based data acquisition systems, hardware integration, and data analysis workflows.
• Perform measurements to characterize the thermal properties of thin film materials.
• Support parallel research efforts to utilize nanocalorimetry for in‑situ monitoring of semiconductor manufacturing processes.
• Publish results in peer‑reviewed scientific journals and present findings at scientific conferences.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in materials science, physics, chemistry, chemical engineering, or a related field.
• Hands‑on experience building and maintaining custom laboratory instrumentation with extensive LabVIEW skills; FPGA experience preferred.
• Expertise in designing custom electronics, including PCB layout and analog circuit design.
• Knowledge of common nanofabrication processes; experience working in cleanrooms a plus.
• Knowledge of thermal property measurements with hands‑on or specialized calorimetry experience preferred.
• Strong written and oral communication skills with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Employment Terms

Associate researcher position in the Materials Measurement Science Division for an initial term of one year, with options to renew. Associate researchers are not federal employees but work alongside NIST researchers and access NIST’s world‑class instrumentation. Relocation expenses are not provided. U.S. Citizens hired into associate positions may be eligible to pursue longer‑term federal employment. Salary range: $90,000 to $100,000.

Salary Range

$90,000 – $100,000 per year.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Johns Hopkins University is committed to equal opportunity for its faculty, staff, and students. 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. Qualified individuals are provided access to all academic and employment programs, benefits, and activities based on demonstrated ability, performance, and merit without regard to personal or demographic characteristics.

Vaccine Requirements

Johns Hopkins University strongly encourages, but no longer requires, at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. All faculty, staff, and students are required to receive the seasonal flu vaccine. Exceptions may be provided for individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs or medical conditions that preclude vaccination. Exception requests must be submitted through the JHU vaccination registry.