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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 and thus requires that such institutions be the recipients 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: Building the next generation of vacuum standards

The work will entail:

The NIST Fundamental Thermodynamic Metrology Group is seeking a motivated individual with a background in physics or mechanical engineering to work both in our cold atom vacuum standard (CAVS) lab and our vacuum calibration lab, both of which are responsible for vacuum measurements in the high vacuum regime and below. As a member of our team, you will collaborate closely with experts in instrumentation, metrology, and physics to develop and enhance vacuum measurement techniques and calibration systems. The CAVS is a vacuum gauge that works by measuring the loss rate of laser-cooled atoms from a conservative, magnetic trap due to collisions with gas molecules left behind in the vacuum chamber. Because the collision cross sections can be calculated a priori, the gauge is also a standard. The CAVS requires upgrades to its vacuum system and control software. The vacuum calibration lab is the main facility in the United States for calibrating gauges at high and ultra-high vacuum pressures. In this lab, we are constructing a new, high-accuracy flowmeter standard for calibrations. Given the work required in upgrading both facilities, we seek an individual capable of independent work with vacuum equipment, a desire to learn, and the ability to communicate and disseminate results.

Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

Contribute to the design, construction, testing, and integration of vacuum equipment, ensuring that upgrades align with NIST's standards and goals.

Safely install new alkali metal dispensers inside the CAVS and perform necessary vacuum system upgrades.

Modify existing control software to ensure fail-safe operation of the CAVS vacuum system.

Integrate a portable CAVS with the ionization gauge calibration system.

Assist with construction, integration, and testing of other elements of the CAVS apparatus.

Maintain accurate and detailed documentation of equipment upgrades, experimental protocols, calibration results, and research findings to ensure transparency and reproducibility.

Ensure that all results, protocols, software, and documentation are archived properly and shared with the larger NIST community and relevant stakeholders.

Present research findings, technological developments, and calibration results at internal meetings, external stakeholder meetings, and scientific conferences.

This being plural sounds weird to me when precision is singular. Maybe just "standards goals" or "standards development goals"?

- A Ph.D. level degree in physics, mechanical engineering, or a closely related field.

- Experience working with or desire to learn about working with ultra-high vacuum systems.

- Programming experience in Python and LabVIEW.

- Experience in or desire to learn computer assisted design (CAD) software like SolidWorks.

Salary: $75,000-$80,000 a year

Please upload the following with your application:

- CV/Resume

*Please limit C.V to 3 pages only and ONLY include a valid email address for your contact info. Please DO NOT include telephone numbers, home address or photos on your 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) (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'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.

Job Type: Full Time

The listed salary range represents the minimum and maximum Johns Hopkins University offers for this position, based on a good faith estimate at the time of posting. Actual compensation will vary depending on factors such as location, skills, experience, market conditions, education, and internal equity. Not all candidates will qualify for the highest salary in the range.

Johns Hopkins provides a comprehensive benefits package supporting health, career, and retirement. Learn more: https://hr.jhu.edu/benefits-worklife/.

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

EEO is the Law

https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf