Senior Research Scientist (PREP0004199)

Johns Hopkins University; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Johns Hopkins University is seeking a PREP Research Associate in Gaithersburg, MD to advance metrology development in rheology and thermal analysis for complex polymeric materials. The role involves leading independent research, translating measurements into industry-relevant metrics, methods, and standards, and collaborating with cross-functional teams.

The candidate will design rheological tests, model structure–property relationships, and contribute to publications while mentoring students

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in polymer science, materials science, chemical engineering, or a related discipline.
• Expertise in rheology, including advanced techniques like orthogonal superposition rheology and large amplitude oscillatory shear rheology.
• Experience with thermal analysis (DSC and at least one of DMA/TGA/TMA/CTE/thermal conductivity) including calibration/validation.
• Solid background in cure kinetics, chemorheology, and polymer physics.
• Experience with additive manufacturing (extrusion-based and vat photopolymerization).
• Strong quantitative/data skills (Matlab/Python/Origin/JMP) for processing large datasets, fitting models, and creating publication-quality figures.
• Track record of technical writing (peer-reviewed papers, reports, SOPs) and communicating results to mixed audiences.
• Proven ability to lead projects, mentor students/postdocs, and coordinate cross-functional collaborations.

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.

Skills

Rheology Expertise

Thermal Analysis

Cure Kinetics

Additive Manufacturing

Data Analysis

Technical Writing

Project Leadership

Education

Ph.D. in polymer science / materials science / chemical engineering

Tools

Matlab

Python

Origin

JMP

Job description

PREP Research Associate
CHIPS Funded Project.

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Professional Research Experience Program (PREP). NIST recognizes that its research staff may want to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest and, therefore, requires those institutions to be recipients of a PREP award. The PREP program involves staff from a wide range of backgrounds conducting scientific research across various fields. Individuals in this position will perform technical work supporting the collaboration's scientific research.

Research Title:

Materials science and rheology of complex polymeric and composite materials

The work will entail:

The Materials Measurement Laboratory of the National Institute of Standards and Technology is seeking a Materials Scientist to lead metrology development in rheology, thermal analysis, and structure-property relationships for complex polymeric and composite materials. Candidate will conduct high-level, independent research, translating cutting-edge measurements into industry-relevant metrics, reference methods/materials, and standards.

U.S. Citizen Preferred

Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• 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/thermal conductivity methods), including calibration/validation.
• Solid background in cure kinetics, chemorheology, and polymer polymer physics.
• Experience with additive manufacturing (extrusion-based and vat photopolymerization)
• Strong quantitative/data skills (e.g., Matlab/Python/Origin/JMP) for processing large datasets, fitting models, and producing publication-quality figures.
• Track record of technical writing (peer-reviewed papers, technical reports, SOPs) 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/training requirements.

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 here: 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.

Pre-Employment Information

If you are interested in applying for employment with Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the HR Business Services Office at [e-mail]. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For more information about workplace accommodations at Johns Hopkins University for disabilities, medical conditions (including medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), accessibility, or religious reasons, please visit accessibility.jhu.edu.

Background Checks

After receiving a conditional offer, the successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check including education verification. When deciding whether a candidate's conviction history is job-disqualifying, the University considers the nature and gravity of the offense, the time that has passed since the conviction, and the nature of the job being sought.

EEO is the Law

https://www.eeoc.gov/employees-job-applicants

Vaccine Requirements

Johns Hopkins University strongly encourages, but no longer requires, at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. This change does not apply to the School of Medicine (SOM). SOM hires must be fully vaccinated with an FDA COVID-19 vaccination and provide proof of vaccination status. We still require all faculty, staff, and students to receive the seasonal flu vaccine.

Exceptions to the seasonal flu vaccine or COVID-19 vaccine (for SOM) requirement(s) may be provided to individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs or medical conditions that preclude them from receiving the vaccine. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry. For additional information, applicants for SOM positions should visit https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/ and all other JHU applicants should visit https://covidinfo.jhu.edu/health-safety/covid-vaccination-information/.

The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those candidates who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.