NIST PREP Announcements

Category: Job Description

Announcements link to job descriptions.

PREP 0002822 — PREP Research Associate: Developing a Standard Reference Phase Change Material in Support of the Thermal Insulation Industry

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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 requires that such institutions must be the recipient 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.

Research Title: Developing a standard reference phase change material in support of the thermal insulation industry

The work will entail:

Commercial phase change materials (PCMs) in the US and EU markets are incorporated in macro- and micro-encapsulations for latent heat storage in building energy applications. The thermal conductivity and the specific heat capacity of these PCM products, which are usually reported in the specification’s datasheet and are measured by a Heat Flow Meter (HFM), are the main thermal data used for installation guidance and energy saving calculations. However, these measurements exhibit non-linear behaviors with temperature due to contributions from the encapsulation materials and other factors. Therefore, the thermal behavior of encapsulated PCMs masks the thermal properties of the actual PCM and its phase change properties. Furthermore, the measurement by an HFM is fundamentally a relative measurement being heavily correlated with the calibration of internal heat flux transducers using a reference material. This work aims to establish the groundwork needed to develop a reference material for validating the specific heat capacity values, as well as thermal conductivity of macro-encapsulated PCMs. The research focus is to ultimately provide a new measurement service by developing a PCM reference material with reliable thermal properties and a well-defined phase-temperature relationship.

US Citizen Preferred

Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

  • Simulating thermal distributions on empty and PCM filled – encapsulation panels between heating and cooling sources.
  • Determining thermal conductivity and heat capacity values of the PCM encapsulation panels using computational methods.
  • Analyzing PCM melting and solidification process in the encapsulations using computational methods.
  • Presenting results at internal meetings, and occasional meetings with external stakeholders.
  • Ensuring that results, protocols, software, and documentation have been archived.

Qualifications:

  • A minimum master’s degree in computer science, Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related field.
  • A minimum of 2 years of relevant experience is preferred.
  • Familiarity with PCM and thermal simulations is a big plus.
  • Ability to work with a commercial finite element software (experience with COMSOL is preferred but not required).
  • Ability to develop an analytical model needed to analyze data.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills.

Please upload the following (preferably in a single PDF) with your application:

  • CV/Resume

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) which is designed to provide valuable laboratory experience and financial assistance to undergraduates, post-bachelor’s 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 collection of information is needed to facilitate 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 to meet programmatic requirements. Disclosure of this information is also subject to all the published routine uses as 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 are indicating your voluntary consent for NIST to use of the information you submit for the purpose stated.

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PREP 0002824 — PREP Research Associate: Quantitation of AAV Genome Size (Postdoc)

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This position is part of the National Institute of Standards (NIST) Professional Research Experience (PREP) program in support of microwave impedance measurements. NIST recognizes that its research staff may wish to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest, thus requires that such institutions must be the recipient 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.

The work will entail:

This position supports a project focused on developing and validating novel measurement methods for adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy vectors. The primary goal is to address the critical quality control issue of accurately characterizing and quantifying “partially full” viral capsids.

The PREP associate will work with a unique set of AAV samples engineered with specifically sized DNA genomes to simulate known filling states. The core of the work involves using advanced microscopy and analytical techniques to establish a quantitative relationship between the AAV genome size, the physical filling state of the capsid, and the capsid’s surface hydrophobicity.

This research directly supports the NIST mission of advancing biomanufacturing by enabling the development of reference materials and more scalable quality control methods for the gene therapy industry.

Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

  • Participating in the production and purification of Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) samples
  • Performing characterization of AAV preparations using techniques such as droplet digital PCR (ddPCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and size exclusion chromatography (SEC)
  • Performing cryogenic electron microscopy (CryoEM) analysis on AAV samples
  • Conducting atomic force microscopy (AFM) and chemical force microscopy (CFM) experiments
  • Analyzing and correlating data from CryoEM, Analytical Ultracentrifugation (AUC), and AFM to establish clear relationships between AAV genome size, filling state, and capsid hydrophobicity
  • Adhering to all biosafety protocols for materials such as AAVs and human cell lines
  • Presenting results at internal meetings and potentially at scientific conferences
  • Publication of results in peer-reviewed journals
  • Ensuring that experimental results, protocols, and data analysis are thoroughly documented and archived

Qualifications:

  • A Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Biophysics, or a closely related field
  • Experience with the production, purification, and characterization of viral vectors (particularly AAV), viruses, or other biologics
  • Proficiency in standard biochemical and molecular biology assays, such as qPCR, ddPCR, ELISA, and protein/nucleic acid quantification
  • Experience in quantitative data analysis and the ability to correlate results from multiple complex analytical methods
  • Strong oral and written communication skills, evidenced by a track record of publications and/or scientific presentations
  • Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team

Please upload the following (preferably in a single PDF) with your application:

  • CV/Resume

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) which is designed to provide valuable laboratory experience and financial assistance to undergraduates, post-bachelor’s 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 collection of information is needed to facilitate 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 to meet programmatic requirements. Disclosure of this information is also subject to all the published routine uses as 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 are indicating your voluntary consent for NIST to use of the information you submit for the purpose stated.

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PREP 0003425 — PREP Research Associate: Piezoelectric Materials Metrologist (postdoc)

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This position is part of the National Institute of Standards (NIST) Professional Research Experience (PREP) program in support of microwave impedance measurements. NIST recognizes that its research staff may wish to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest, thus requires that such institutions must be the recipient 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.

The work will entail:

  • Contribute to research and development of novel microfabricated devices for linear and nonlinear electromagnetic and acoustic measurements of piezoelectric materials.
  • Evaluate electromagnetic and acoustic properties of variable composition samples at frequencies from 100 kHz up to 100 GHz, using custom and commercial test fixtures.
  • Develop and simulate computational models of material-loaded microelectronic devices to quantify electric, acoustic, and piezoelectric fields for a range of incident powers and applied electromagnetic and acoustic fields.
  • Analyze measurement results in conjunction with finite-element simulations to identify relevant material parameters of materials under test.
  • Communicate and collaborate with team members, other NIST teams, and external teams.
  • Present and publish results as appropriate.

Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

  • Ph.D. in physics, materials science, electrical engineering or related field

Certifications and Licenses:

  • None required

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Basic experience with vector network analyzers
  • Experience with acoustic measurement techniques
  • Measurement and interpretation of electrical properties using probe station
  • Laboratory safety training
  • Strong oral and written communication in English language
  • Familiarity with scientific scripting languages
  • Ability to develop prototypes of tools needed to analyze data
  • Strong oral and written communication skills

Please upload the following (preferably in a single PDF) with your application:

  • CV/Resume

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) which is designed to provide valuable laboratory experience and financial assistance to undergraduates, post-bachelor’s 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 collection of information is needed to facilitate 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 to meet programmatic requirements. Disclosure of this information is also subject to all the published routine uses as 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 are indicating your voluntary consent for NIST to use of the information you submit for the purpose stated.

Continue Reading →

PREP 0003423 — PREP Research Associate: S-Parameter Metrology Senior Researcher

Published
By

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards (NIST) Professional Research Experience (PREP) program in support of microwave impedance measurements. NIST recognizes that its research staff may wish to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest, thus requires that such institutions must be the recipient 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.

The work will entail:

  • Primary responsibilities will be microwave and RF measurements. Such work will be carried out in close collaboration with partners at NIST as well as industry partners, government laboratories and colleagues at other universities.
  • The position will require publishing findings in peer reviewed journals, presenting the work at project meetings and scientific conferences, mentoring postdocs, graduate and undergraduate students, and contributing to reports for external sponsors.
  • The candidate must be comfortable with the measurement and interpretation of electromagnetic measurements and be proficient in at least one type of programming language for scientific computing (e.g., MATLAB, python, C++).

Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

  • Ph.D. in electrical engineering, physics or related field

Certifications and Licenses:

  • None required

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Basic experience with RF measurement equipment
  • Basic experience with uncertainty analysis
  • Basic experience with scientific computing
  • Experience with complex statistical analysis
  • Characterization of RF devices
  • Experience with electromagnetic simulator programs
  • Measurement and interpretation of electrical properties using probe station
  • Laboratory safety training
  • Strong oral and written communication in English language

Please upload the following (preferably in a single PDF) with your application:

  • CV/Resume

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) which is designed to provide valuable laboratory experience and financial assistance to undergraduates, post-bachelor’s 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 collection of information is needed to facilitate 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 to meet programmatic requirements. Disclosure of this information is also subject to all the published routine uses as 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 are indicating your voluntary consent for NIST to use of the information you submit for the purpose stated.

Continue Reading →

PREP 0003422 — PREP Research Associate: Microwave Metrology Postdoctoral Researcher

Published
By

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards (NIST) Professional Research Experience (PREP) program in support of microwave impedance measurements. NIST recognizes that its research staff may wish to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest, thus requires that such institutions must be the recipient 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.

The work will entail:

  • Primary responsibilities will be microwave and RF measurements. Such work will be carried out in close collaboration with partners at NIST as well as industry partners, government laboratories and colleagues at other universities.
  • The position will require publishing findings in peer reviewed journals, presenting the work at project meetings and scientific conferences, mentoring graduate and undergraduate students, and contributing to reports for external sponsors.
  • The candidate must be comfortable with the measurement and interpretation of microwave scattering parameters and be proficient in at least one type of programming language for scientific computing (e.g., MATLAB, python, C++).

Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

  • Ph.D. in electrical engineering, physics or related field

Certifications and Licenses:

  • None required

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Basic experience with RF measurement equipment
  • Basic experience with uncertainty analysis
  • Basic experience with scientific computing
  • Experience with complex statistical analysis
  • Characterization of RF devices
  • Experience with electromagnetic simulator programs
  • Measurement and interpretation of electrical properties using probe station
  • Laboratory safety training
  • Strong oral and written communication in English language

Please upload the following (preferably in a single PDF) with your application:

  • CV/Resume

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) which is designed to provide valuable laboratory experience and financial assistance to undergraduates, post-bachelor’s 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 collection of information is needed to facilitate 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 to meet programmatic requirements. Disclosure of this information is also subject to all the published routine uses as 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 are indicating your voluntary consent for NIST to use of the information you submit for the purpose stated.

Continue Reading →

PREP 0003420 — PREP Research Associate: Microwave Metrology Graduate Student Researcher

Published
By

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards (NIST) Professional Research Experience (PREP) program in support of microwave impedance measurements. NIST recognizes that its research staff may wish to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest, thus requires that such institutions must be the recipient 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.

The work will entail:

  • Primary responsibilities will be microwave and RF measurements. Such work will be carried out in close collaboration with partners at NIST as well as industry partners, government laboratories and colleagues at other universities.
  • The position will require publishing findings in peer reviewed journals, presenting the work at project meetings and scientific conferences, mentoring graduate and undergraduate students, and contributing to reports for external sponsors.
  • The candidate must be proficient in at least one type of programming language for scientific computing (e.g., MATLAB, python, C++).
  • Candidate must be able to learn measurement and interpretation of microwave scattering parameters.

Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, physics or related field

Certifications and Licenses:

  • None required

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Basic experience with RF measurement equipment
  • Basic experience with uncertainty analysis
  • Basic experience with scientific computing
  • Basic experience with statistical analysis
  • Characterization of RF devices.
  • Experience with electromagnetic simulator programs
  • Measurement and interpretation of electrical properties using probe station.
  • Laboratory safety training
  • Strong oral and written communication in English language

Please upload the following (preferably in a single PDF) with your application:

  • CV/Resume

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) which is designed to provide valuable laboratory experience and financial assistance to undergraduates, post-bachelor’s 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 collection of information is needed to facilitate 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 to meet programmatic requirements. Disclosure of this information is also subject to all the published routine uses as 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 are indicating your voluntary consent for NIST to use of the information you submit for the purpose stated.

Continue Reading →

PREP 0003261 — PREP Research Associate

Published
By

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 must be the recipient 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.


Research Title: Materials Research Scientist (CHIPS Project: Nanometer-Scale Planar Reference Materials)


The work will entail:

The candidate will join a team of researchers working with advanced metrology methods to characterize, local physical and chemical properties and map any variation in these properties of thin, nanometer-scale films (oxides, nitrides, carbides, germinides) deposited on Si and SiC wafers. The candidate will plan and conduct research using X-ray reflectivity, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to determine through hybrid metrology, open-source, analysis methods, structural maps for wafers with thin films of essential interest to the semiconductor community.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

  • Plan and conduct research on advanced X-ray metrologies to determine structural (physical and chemical) properties of blanket (non-patterned) thin films on Si and SiC wafers.
  • Use X-ray characterization methods, such as X-ray reflectivity, X-ray fluorescence, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, to determine the structural properties of thin film samples.
  • Use open-source (python) fitting methods to constrain structural models, determine uncertainties, and combined these properties into a hybrid metrology digital wafer.
  • Perform wafer dicing, cleaning, and packaging of samples for distribution as a Research Grade Test Material to pair with the previously-determined digital wafer model.
  • Publish results in refereed scientific journals and present results at conferences and meetings.

    Qualifications:

    • PhD in physics, materials science, or another related field
    • Background in X-ray measurement technique(s) required, either:
      • X-ray reflectivity, X-ray fluorescence, or X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
    • Use X-ray characterization methods, such as X-ray reflectivity, X-ray fluorescence, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, to determine the structural properties of thin film samples.
    • Background in programming and/or data modeling using python (or equivalent) recommended.
    • Familiarity with thin film deposition and clean room access protocols, preferred
    • Strong oral and written communication skills
    • Ability to work productively as part of a team and independently

Please upload the following (preferably in a single PDF) with your application:

  • CV/Resume

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) which is designed to provide valuable laboratory experience and financial assistance to undergraduates, post-bachelor’s 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 collection of information is needed to facilitate 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 to meet programmatic requirements. Disclosure of this information is also subject to all the published routine uses as 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 are indicating your voluntary consent for NIST to use of the information you submit for the purpose stated.

Continue Reading →

PREP 0003120 – PREP Research Associate

Published
By

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 must be the recipient 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.


Research Title: Information Technology administration automation using Powershell in an Office365 environment


The work will entail:

Turning existing manual processes in our Office365 environment into automated processes by creating interactive Powershell programs.

The Powershell programs will capture inputs by either manual input or ingesting a spreadsheet and then will perform automated operations on our development Office365 environment.

Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

  • Writing Powershell scripts that will be deployed in our Office365 development environment
  • Collecting user feedback from information technology professionals
  • Developing automated pipelines based on synthesizing existing manual processes
  • Learning fundamental concepts of standard information technology security practices, to include pursuing relevant certifications and training
  • Documenting code and writing code to improve its reusability

Qualifications:

  • Currently pursuing a bachelor’s or associate’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Mathematics, or a related field.
  • Interest in the fields of computer science and information technology.
  • Familiarity with PowerShell.
  • An understanding of information technology security practices.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills.

Please upload the following (preferably in a single PDF) with your application:

  • CV/Resume

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) which is designed to provide valuable laboratory experience and financial assistance to undergraduates, post-bachelor’s 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 collection of information is needed to facilitate 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 to meet programmatic requirements. Disclosure of this information is also subject to all the published routine uses as 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 are indicating your voluntary consent for NIST to use of the information you submit for the purpose stated.

Continue Reading →

PREP 0003030 – PREP Research Associate

Published
By

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 requires that such institutions must be the recipient 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.

Postdoctoral Research Economist or Social Scientist:

The Community Resilience Program (CRP) of the National Institute of Standards of Technology (NIST) anticipates the need for a GIS Specialist to work on community resilience and sustainability.

The position would be supported through the NIST Professional Research Experience Program
(https://www.nist.gov/iaao/academic-affairs-office/nist-professional-research-experience-program-prep)

This is an exciting opportunity to work alongside NIST researchers while being associated with a NIST PREP participating academic institution.

The role requires a researcher who:

  • Leads complex geospatial research for Community Resilience Planning and Disaster and Failure Studies, focusing on community resilience to natural, human-caused, and technological hazards, as well as socio-economic and physical community systems.
  • Directs the development of geospatial metrology, models, tools, guidance, and standards for community resilience and associated decision-making.
  • Engages with internal and external partners to establish best practices for data collection in multi-disciplinary post-disaster field studies, utilizing current technologies and tools to advance disaster research metrology.
  • Provides subject matter expertise and strategic direction on resilience-related socio-economic and physical systems science, employing advanced Geographic Information System analysis, diverse quantitative and qualitative methods, data collection instruments, and interdisciplinary methodologies for community resilience measurement and modeling.
  • Offers geospatial expertise and guidance, and actively participates in disaster field studies, technical investigations, and disaster reconnaissance.

Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to: Research, publishing within refereed journals and technical research series, developing draft standards, drafting decision-support software, communicating research at professional conferences. Additional responsibilities may cover: Analysis of survey data, complex event analysis using spatial data, evaluating community level planning for climate and resilience, incorporating risk and uncertainty into community resilience planning assessments, survey design and approval processes.

The PREP researcher will use of a broad set of skills, including, but not limited to: survey tool development, sample frame development, statistical inference, systems analysis/ modeling, collaborative/participatory modeling, qualitative interview analysis, quantitative structural equation modeling and regression analysis, as well as agent-based modeling.  Key outcomes will be analyses, reports, and best practice guidance to businesses, industry, standard making bodies, and government.

It is expected that the PREP Researcher will engage in all steps of the research process, including but not limited to: survey (re)design and dissemination, data analysis, preparation of reports and archival journal articles, as well as reporting and communication with stakeholders. 

Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

  • Collaborate on data and methods to improve the methodology for measuring economic impact of community resilience planning, which is organized around the performance metric of ‘cost plus loss’ minimization – i.e., the economically optimal level of investment in prevention and mitigation activities to reduce future disturbance and disaster-related losses, as well as related expenditures that minimize the combined investment cost plus the value of expected losses. 
  • Development of decision frameworks for community level choices
  • Design and execution of data collection instruments
  • Statistical analysis of collected survey data
  • Assessment of research and data gaps
  • Developing decision-support tools for home residents, homeowners, communities, business operators, industry, and/or government agencies to make more efficient, sustainable, resilient, and/or circular choices.

Qualifications

  • An advanced degree in GIS Research Sociology, Computer Science, Engineering, Economics, Social Science, Planning, Behavioral Social Sciences, or a related field.
  • Familiarity with multiple scripting languages.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills.
  • (1) Advanced knowledge of policies, theories, principles, practices, and methods of a technical professional field of research (in science, engineering, information technology, or mathematics) and the ability, as a significant contributor to the specialty, to conduct and direct an advanced research program, exercise professional leadership, and provide consultation in the specialty. Skill in applying highly valued expertise in a recognized leading-edge research field. Ability to justify, defend, negotiate, or settle matters involving significant or controversial issues and/or programs. OR (2) Ability to perform the full range of supervisory functions, including planning, assigning, and reviewing work, and evaluating performance. Advanced knowledge of the programs directed and the ability to influence, motivate, or persuade persons or groups or take actions related to advancing the program/organization fundamental goals and objectives, including program planning, managing resources, assigning and reviewing work, and evaluating performance.

Please upload the following (preferably in a single PDF) with your application:

  • CV/Resume

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) which is designed to provide valuable laboratory experience and financial assistance to undergraduates, post-bachelor’s 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 collection of information is needed to facilitate 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 to meet programmatic requirements. Disclosure of this information is also subject to all the published routine uses as 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 are indicating your voluntary consent for NIST to use of the information you submit for the purpose stated.

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PREP 0002967 — PREP Research Associate

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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 must be the recipient 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.

Position description

The Automated Vehicle (AV) program at NIST is seeking a candidate to work on a project related to the robustness of AI perception for self-driving cars. NIST is leading a multidisciplinary effort which aims at developing a testbed (physical and simulated) to test on-road driving scenarios when facing perturbations (natural and deliberate/adversarial) on the roadway. The project requires a candidate with multidisciplinary skills that will execute multiple tasks which focus on AI perception and decision-making testing, evaluation, and integration with a physical testbed (physical vehicle). The candidate will follow guidance from the project leaders.

Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

  • Expand the AI perception (object detection and classification) testing capabilities to assess their robustness and readiness for on-road use by incorporating LIDAR and camera data, including estimation of uncertainties in detection and classification.
  • Investigate the impact of uncertainties on other critical systems, such as decision-making and path planning.
  • Work on developing a public-facing Web portal to host services that expose advanced AI perception testing capabilities tailored to the needs of the AV community of stakeholders. Coordinate with external stakeholders to ensure smooth technology transfer.
  • Write papers to describe current work and submit to journals with a focus on AI perception and decision-making efforts.
  • Align AI perception and decision-making work with other NIST AV teams using collaboration and communication.
  • Draft test plans for AI team further assisting with designing uncertainty experiments in CARLA and participate in weekly discussions.
  • Assist in implementing software packages and prototypes using ROS2 and python to use AI models for perception and decision-making for deploying current AI efforts on the development mule (NIST autonomous vehicle).

Qualifications

  • PhD or (BS + 5 years of experience) in the following or related fields (Computer Science, Electrical engineering, Mechanical engineering, Computer engineering, Robotics)
  • Experience with programming in Python and C++.
  • Experience with PyTorch or TensorFlow for AI model development and testing.
  • Experience with AI model development and testing, including uncertainty associated with detection and classification.
  • Experience with AI model hosting platforms (e.g., Ultralytics)
  • Good knowledge and skills with ROS2 on Linux systems.
    • Be able to work on both Linux and Windows
  • Experience with version control software and workflow (Git/Github/Gitlab)

Other relevant experience:

  • Experience in measurement, testing, and evaluation of software.
  • Report writing and making presentations with relevant figures/illustrations/data.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills that convey ideas and work in an efficient manner.
  • Good documentation of the work that enables reproduction of the tests and results.

Please upload the following (preferably in a single PDF) with your application:

  • CV/Resume

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) which is designed to provide valuable laboratory experience and financial assistance to undergraduates, post-bachelor’s 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 collection of information is needed to facilitate 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 to meet programmatic requirements. Disclosure of this information is also subject to all the published routine uses as 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 are indicating your voluntary consent for NIST to use of the information you submit for the purpose stated.

Continue Reading →