Assistant Research Scientist (PREP0005038

General Description

Salary: $48,000-$55,000 a year

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.

The Research Engineer Assistant will work within the Materials and Structural Systems Division of the Engineering Laboratory, performing technical, hands‑on work to support scientific projects.

Research

Title:

Research Engineer Assistant - Materials and Structural Systems Division, Engineering Laboratory, NIST

U.S. Citizen Preferred

The work will entail:

Providing essential technical support to multiple research projects conducted within the Division's laboratories by utilizing advanced apparatuses, under close supervision from senior technician staff and researchers. Contributes technical expertise to the development, evaluation, and refinement of research plans and experimental testing procedures, focused on 3D Concrete printing, tensile testing of structural welds specimens under high temperature (up to 1,000 deg

C), testing of concrete specimens with fiber reinforced polymers (FRP), including materials and large‑scale structural testing (structural steel specimens and/or 3D printed concrete specimens). Under the supervision of senior technician staff, executes complex experimental tasks, ensuring the successful execution of research projects with a focus on material properties and structural testing.

Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Supporting senior technician staff to ensure lab equipment is operating optimally, lab spaces are well organized and safe to conduct experimental work. Perform routine maintenance and calibration on lab equipment.
• Supporting senior technician staff in discarding inoperable and obsolete laboratory equipment.
• Supporting senior technician staff by addressing any lab deficiencies identified during workspace laboratory inspections by NIST Office of Safety, Health and Environment (OSHE).

• Collaborating with senior technician staff and researchers to develop effective schedules and plans so that measurements/fabrications are conceived and conducted effectively. This includes in‑person meetings, detailed email communications, preparation of power point presentations tailored to be delivered to other groups within the Division and external stakeholders.
• Collecting data and refining specific project designs in a manner consistent with the project's needs and performing data analysis on collected data to ensure adherence to existing standards or for the development of new standards on materials and structural performance.
• Conducting administrative tasks to effectively maintain laboratory operations. This includes in‑depth market research to acquire new laboratory tools and equipment, assisting with the development of technical specifications for procurements.
• Identifying and pursuing training opportunities to enhance proficiency in supporting the technical work associated with the Division's projects. This includes actively seeking out professional development programs, technical certifications, workshops, and hands‑on training sessions that align with the division's technical objectives.
• Supports senior technician staff in developing comprehensive hazard reviews (HR) and job hazard analysis (JHA) documents to proactively identify, evaluate, and address potential safety risks associated with laboratory activities. This process includes assessing tasks, equipment, and procedures to ensure compliance with safety standards and regulations, while implementing effective controls to mitigate risks.
• Assisting in performing market research for purchases required for the laboratories.
• Collecting and analyzing data as requested by researchers and senior technician staff.
• Helping set‑up data acquisition systems and instrumentation on large scale structural…