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:
Materials science and rheology of complex polymeric and composite materials
The work will entail:
The Materials Measurement Laboratory of the National Institute of Standards and Technology is seeking a Materials Scientist to lead metrology development in rheology, thermal analysis, and structure–property relationships for complex polymeric and composite materials. Candidate will conduct high-level, independent research, translating cutting-edge measurements into industry-relevant metrics, reference methods/materials, and standards.
Candidates must be eligible to obtain a Department of Commerce background check for facility access.
Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
- Design and execute rheological characterization of complex fluids and soft solids
- Lead thermal and thermomechanical characterization
- Characterize and model reactive/curing systems
- Build structure–property insights through multimodal characterization
- Author publications and present research to stakeholders
Qualifications
- Ph.D. in polymer science, materials science, chemical engineering, or a related discipline.
- Expertise in rheology, including advanced techniques such as orthogonal superposition rheology and large amplitude oscillatory shear rheology.
- Experience with thermal analysis (DSC and at least one of DMA/TGA/TMA/CTE/thermal conductivity methods), including calibration/validation.
- Solid background in cure kinetics, chemorheology, and polymer polymer physics.
- Experience with additive manufacturing (extrusion-based and vat photopolymerization)
- Strong quantitative/data skills (e.g., Matlab/Python/Origin/JMP) for processing large datasets, fitting models, and producing publication-quality figures.
- Track record of technical writing (peer-reviewed papers, technical reports, SOPs) and communicating results to mixed audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to lead projects, mentor students/postdocs, and coordinate cross-functional collaborations.
- Ability to work on-site in a laboratory setting in Gaithersburg, MD and meet all safety/training requirements.
The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.