Senior Research Scientist (PREP0004707)

Johns Hopkins University; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Johns Hopkins University seeks a PREP Research Associate to support the collaboration with NIST on metrology for advanced body armor systems. The role involves developing analysis pipelines, applying digital image correlation, and contributing to dataset preparation and publication-ready materials.

The candidate will work closely with NIST staff, design tests for impact metrology, and help disseminate results through manuscripts and code releases within Johns Hopkins channels.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Solid Mechanics, Materials Science, or related field.
• 5+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience with digital image correlation, particle tracking, and related tools.
• Familiarity with mechanical testing instruments (load frames, drop towers).
• Experience with scripting languages including Matlab and Python.
• Experience with developing materials datasets and publishing FAIR data.

Responsibilities

• Develop analysis pipelines for data from material and system-level testing of advanced body armor concepts.
• Apply digital image correlation and related techniques to test data.
• Develop methods for inverse analysis to identify model parameters.
• Assist with designing new test methods for impact metrology.
• Prepare manuscripts, data, and code for publication.

Skills

Digital image correlation

Python

MATLAB

Data analysis

Uncertainty quantification

Written communication

Education

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

Python

Matlab

Job description

PREP Research Associate

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

Metrology for the performance quantification and development of advanced body armor system

Key Work

The primary aim of the work is to develop and deploy analysis pipelines for analysis of data obtained from assorted material and systems-level testing for advanced body armor design concepts. This involves applying digital image correlation and related techniques to test data, developing analysis tools to provide quantitative model inputs, understanding and using uncertainty quantification for these techniques, and preparing datasets. The candidate will also develop methods for inverse analysis to identify key model parameters from full field displacement and strain measurements and assist with designing new test methods for impact metrology using tools such as light field imaging with ultra- and high-speed cameras or material characterization with drop tower testing. The candidate will work in close collaboration with NIST staff. They will be responsible for preparing manuscripts, data, and code for publication via NIST-approved channels.

Key Responsibilities

• Investigating storage methods for maintenance data
• Determining methods to stream synthetic data for public consumption
• Analyzing heterogeneous data sources
• Presenting results at internal meetings and occasional meetings with external stakeholders
• Ensuring that results, protocols, software, and documentation have been archived or otherwise transmitted to the larger organization

Qualifications

• A Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Solid Mechanics, Material Science, or a related field
• 5+ years of relevant experience
• Experience with using and developing digital image correlation, particle tracking and related tools
• Familiarity with mechanical testing instruments such as load frames, drop towers, and similar devices
• Experience with scripting languages including Matlab and Python
• Familiarity with developing materials datasets and publishing FAIR data
• Familiarity with body armor and impact mitigation materials and concepts
• Strong oral and written communication, collaboration, and teamwork skills

U.S. Citizen Preferred

U.S. citizenship is preferred for this position.

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.