Senior Research Scientist; PREP

PREP Research Associate

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards (NIST) Professional Research Experience (PREP) program. NIST allows its research staff to collaborate with academic institutions on projects of mutual interest that are funded through a PREP award. The program employs staff from a wide range of backgrounds to conduct scientific research.

Low‑Damage Rocking Structures

A structural engineering researcher will support a project investigating the seismic performance of low‑damage structural systems. The goal is to design structures that maintain post‑earthquake functionality and minimize damage. The researcher will conduct studies, develop nonlinear models, and evaluate the influence of ground‑motion selection on rocking behavior to provide guidelines for practicing engineers.

• Conduct parametric studies of rocking and conventional buildings to identify influential ground‑motion characteristics on engineering demand parameters
• Develop nonlinear structural models and evaluate both conventional and low‑damage systems
• Create design guidelines to promote wider use of low‑damage structural systems
• Develop and test new low‑damage technologies focused on implementation
• Create a structural component database using experimental testing and programming expertise
• Evaluate cost‑benefits of rocking systems across seismic hazards and building types

• U.S. citizenship preferred
• PhD in Civil Engineering or Structural Engineering with a focus in Earthquake Engineering
• Extensive experience in nonlinear modeling using Open Sees
• Programming expertise in Python, MATLAB, and Tcl
• Familiarity with performance‑based seismic design
• Expertise in rocking and low‑damage structural systems and published work demonstrating modeling ability
• Experience in large‑scale structural testing, component testing, and shake‑table testing
• Strong oral and written communication skills

NIST is an equal‑opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.