Senior Research Scientist; PREP
Listed on 2026-07-29
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Research/Development
Research Scientist
Johns Hopkins, founded in 1876, is America's first research university and home to nine world-class academic divisions working together as one university.
Salary : $123,311-$124,000 a year
Johns Hopkins University:
Whiting School of Engineering:
Office of Research and Translation
Description
PREP Research Associate
This position is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Professional Research Experience Program (PREP). NIST recognizes that its research staff may want to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest and, therefore, requires those institutions to be recipients of a PREP award. The PREP program involves staff from a wide range of backgrounds conducting scientific research across various fields.
Individuals in this position will perform technical work supporting the collaboration's scientific research.
Research
Title:
Metrology for the performance quantification and development of advanced body armor system
The work will entail:
The primary aim of the work is to develop and deploy analysis pipelines for analysis of data obtained from assorted material and systems-level testing for advanced body armor design concepts. This involves applying digital image correlation and related techniques to test data, developing analysis tools to provide quantitative model inputs, understanding and using uncertainty quantification for these techniques, and preparing datasets.
The candidate will also develop methods for inverse analysis to identify key model parameters from full field displacement and strain measurements and assist with designing new test methods for impact metrology using tools such as light field imaging with ultra- and high-speed cameras or material characterization with drop tower testing. The candidate will work in close collaboration with NIST staff.
They will be responsible for preparing manuscripts, data, and code for publication via NIST-approved channels.
U.S. Citizen Preferred
Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
- Investigating storage methods for maintenance data,
- Determining methods to stream synthetic data for public consumption,
- Analyze heterogeneous data sources.
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 Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Solid Mechanics, Material Science, or a related field.
- 5+ years of relevant experience.
- Experience with using and developing digital image correlation, particle tracking and related tools.
- Familiarity with mechanical testing instruments such as load frames, drop towers, and similar devices.
- Experience with scripting languages including Matlab and Python.
- Familiarity with developing materials datasets and publishing FAIR data.
- Familiarity with body armor and impact mitigation materials and concepts.
- Strong oral and written communication, collaboration, and teamwork skills.
Application Instructions
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) 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…
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