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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, thus requiring that such institutions receive a PREP award. The PREP program requires staff from various backgrounds to work on scientific research in many areas. Employees in this position will perform technical work that underpins the scientific study of the collaboration.

There is an increased need to advance our ability to measure, characterize, and understand the chemistry and physical properties of materials as they relate to the materials' and products' fire-related behavior. For firefighters, it is reducing the risk of being per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) associated with their gear and workplace. For fire-safe products, it is developing and using tools to characterize material flammability characteristics across multiple scales. For the low-heat rates barriers, it is using bench-scale tools to characterize the flammability performance of assembled products. Common to all of these is conducting multi-scale testing (mg to full scale) and measuring thermal and chemical responses, and using a variety of sample collection methods and analytical tools.

The PREP researcher will be responsible for:

§ Construction, calibration, maintenance, and operation of experimental apparatus designed to quantify physical and chemical properties of materials and products.

§ Collecting and analyzing measurement data from fire scenario tests conducted across various scales.

§ Collecting and analyzing byproducts of fire scenario tests.

§ Iterative development and implementation of analytical tools to process data.

§ Ensure that results (i.e., measurement data) meet the project leader's quality control specifications and are adequately categorized and archived for future consumption.

Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

§ Preparing samples and independently conducting bench-scale experiments and analysis

§ Assisting in the construction and operation of intermediate- and full-scale fire scenario experiments

§ Processing, analyzing, and reporting on (written and visualization) experimental measurements; developing and applying related uncertainty analysis tools.

§ Supporting tech transfer of test results and staying current with relevant literature in the field.

§ B.S. or M.S. in Engineering (fire protection, materials science, mechanical), Chemistry, Physics, or a related field

§ Experience in an experimental testing, design, and research environment.

§ Strong oral and written communication skills.

§ Excellent time management and organizational skills.

§ Ability to work independently and as part of a team to learn new activities and skills.

Please include the following below:

• CV

• Two Professional references

• Privacy Act Statement

  Authority: 15 U.S.C. § 278g-1(e)(1) and (e)(3) and 15 U.S.C. § 272(b) and (c)

  Purpose: The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) hosts the Professional Research Experience Program (PREP), (https://www.nist.gov/iaao/academic-affairs-office/nist-professional-research-experience-program-prep) which is designed to provide valuable laboratory experience and financial assistance to undergraduates, post-bachelor degree holders, graduate students, master's degree holders, postdocs, and faculty.

  PREP is a 5-year cooperative agreement between NIST laboratories and participating PREP Universities to establish a collaborative research relationship between NIST and U.S. institutions of higher education in the following disciplines, including (but may not be limited to) biochemistry, biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, engineering, electronics, materials science, mathematics, nanoscale science, neutron science, physical science, physics, and statistics. This information collection is needed to facilitate the administrative functions of the PREP Program.

  Routine Uses: NIST will use the information collected to perform the requisite reviews of the applications to determine eligibility and meet programmatic requirements. Disclosure of this information is also subject to all the published routine uses identified in the Privacy Act System of Records Notices: NIST-1: NIST Associates.

  Disclosure: Furnishing this information is voluntary. When you submit the form, you indicate your voluntary consent for NIST to use the information you submit for the stated purpose.

Job Type: Full Time Johns Hopkins University is committed to active recruitment of a diverse faculty and student body. The University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer of women, minorities, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities and encourages applications from these and other protected group members. Consistent with the University’s goals of achieving excellence in all areas, we will assess the comprehensive qualifications of each applicant.