Postdoctoral Fellow (PREP0004024)
The American Ceramic Society, Gaithersburg, MD, United States
PREP Research Associate
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
Fiber, composites, and polymer scientist
The Work Will Entail
The Materials Measurement Laboratory of the National Institute of Standards and Technology is seeking qualified candidates (U.S. Citizens Preferred) for a fiber, composites, and polymer scientist position to lead metrology development in thermomechanical/thermal analysis, chemical analysis, electron microscopy, and structure-property relationships for complex high strength fibers as well as polymeric and composite materials. This role requires hands‑on ownership of advanced instrumentation, development of robust and reproducible test methods, and translation of results into actionable guidance for materials design, performance evaluation, and reliability.
Key Responsibilities
Design and execute thermomechanical characterization of polymeric/composite systems
Develop techniques to fabricate model fiber/composite systems with novel properties
Lead thermal, thermomechanical, and chemical/structural characterization of materials
Author peer‑reviewed publications and present research to stakeholders
Support collaborative programs and deliver stakeholder technical solutions
Qualifications
Ph.D. in materials science, polymer science, fiber science, chemical engineering, or a related discipline
Expertise in molecular spectroscopy, with experience analyzing single fibers
Hands‑on experience with thermal analysis (DSC, DMA, TGA, TMA)
Experience working with complex materials (high‑strength fibers, composite armor, or structural composites)
Background in polymer viscoelasticity and physics
Strong quantitative/data skills (Matlab, Python, Origin)
Demonstrated record of technical writing and public speaking
Ability to lead projects, mentor students/postdocs, and coordinate collaborations
Desirable Qualifications
Experience in long‑term reliability studies
Background Checks
The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre‑employment background check including education verification.
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 characteristic. 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 that are irrelevant to the program involved.
EEO is the Law
https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf
Vaccine Requirements
Johns Hopkins University strongly encourages, but no longer requires, at least one dose of the COVID‑19 vaccine. The COVID‑19 vaccine does not apply to positions located in the State of Florida. We still require all faculty, staff, and students to receive the seasonal flu vaccine. Exceptions to the COVID and flu vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry. 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. 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/.
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/.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
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
Fiber, composites, and polymer scientist
The Work Will Entail
The Materials Measurement Laboratory of the National Institute of Standards and Technology is seeking qualified candidates (U.S. Citizens Preferred) for a fiber, composites, and polymer scientist position to lead metrology development in thermomechanical/thermal analysis, chemical analysis, electron microscopy, and structure-property relationships for complex high strength fibers as well as polymeric and composite materials. This role requires hands‑on ownership of advanced instrumentation, development of robust and reproducible test methods, and translation of results into actionable guidance for materials design, performance evaluation, and reliability.
Key Responsibilities
Design and execute thermomechanical characterization of polymeric/composite systems
Develop techniques to fabricate model fiber/composite systems with novel properties
Lead thermal, thermomechanical, and chemical/structural characterization of materials
Author peer‑reviewed publications and present research to stakeholders
Support collaborative programs and deliver stakeholder technical solutions
Qualifications
Ph.D. in materials science, polymer science, fiber science, chemical engineering, or a related discipline
Expertise in molecular spectroscopy, with experience analyzing single fibers
Hands‑on experience with thermal analysis (DSC, DMA, TGA, TMA)
Experience working with complex materials (high‑strength fibers, composite armor, or structural composites)
Background in polymer viscoelasticity and physics
Strong quantitative/data skills (Matlab, Python, Origin)
Demonstrated record of technical writing and public speaking
Ability to lead projects, mentor students/postdocs, and coordinate collaborations
Desirable Qualifications
Experience in long‑term reliability studies
Background Checks
The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre‑employment background check including education verification.
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 characteristic. 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 that are irrelevant to the program involved.
EEO is the Law
https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf
Vaccine Requirements
Johns Hopkins University strongly encourages, but no longer requires, at least one dose of the COVID‑19 vaccine. The COVID‑19 vaccine does not apply to positions located in the State of Florida. We still require all faculty, staff, and students to receive the seasonal flu vaccine. Exceptions to the COVID and flu vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry. 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. 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/.
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/.
#J-18808-Ljbffr