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.

The work will entail:
In contribution to the NIST Circular Economy Program, the NIST Mass Spectrometry Data Center is working on a comprehensive approach to the identification of plastic particles using mass spectrometry. Due to the wide use of synthetic plastics, plastic particles have become ubiquitous. This has become an issue of national importance. Standard reference data, and standard measurement procedures, are required to put the field on a firm metrology foundation.

The postdoctoral candidate will work to
1) extend the existing NIST Py-GC-MS spectral reference library (NIST Polymer Pyrolysis Search Software) to include a greater number of common consumer plastics,
2) develop experimental methods for repeatable and robust pyrolysis of polymers,
3) develop computer code for the evaluation of the data generated in items 1 and 2, and
4) author peer-review publications and documentary standards resulting from these efforts. Additional mass spectral methods to be used include may liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) with electrospray ionization (ESI) or atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI), and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry.

Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Measurements by mass spectrometry.
• Sample preparation including cryogrinding of laboratory and commercial plastic samples.
• Computer code creation for data analysis and mass spectral library searching.
• Creation of standard measurement protocols.
• Presenting results at internal meetings, and occasional meetings with external stakeholders.
• Ensuring that results, protocols, software, and documentation have been archived or otherwise transmitted to the larger organization.

Qualifications:

• A Master’s degree or higher in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, or a related field.
• Working familiarity with mass spectrometry.
• Knowledge of organic chemical structures and nomenclature.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.