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.
Research Title: Laser scanner performance evaluation
Candidates must be eligible to obtain a Department of Commerce background check for facility access.
The work will entail:
The NIST Dimensional Metrology Group (DMG) is seeking a motivated individual with a background in engineering or physics to join our team. The DMG has a long history in developing test procedures to evaluate the performance of dimensional measurement systems (such as Cartesian coordinate measuring machines, laser trackers, terrestrial laser scanners, X-ray computed tomography systems). These test procedures are then absorbed into national and international documentary standards providing traceability, enabling commerce, and ensuring the competitive advantage of US industries. The group recently acquired (or are in the process of acquiring) several laser scanner systems. These include a new high accuracy phase-shift terrestrial laser scanner, a hand-held wireless portable scanner, and a camera-based system with a hand-held scanner. As a member of our multi-disciplinary team, you will collaborate closely with experts in dimensional metrology, engineering, mathematics, and computer science to develop test procedures to assess the performance of these systems. You will work with team members to model observed systematic errors, propose methods to improve the accuracy of these systems, and develop uncertainty budgets for measurements made with these systems. You will present the work in internal meetings, conferences and publish results in peer-reviewed journals.
Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
- Perform experiments to evaluate the performance of the laser scanner systems
- Collaborate in the development of theoretical models of observed errors
- Conduct research to implement novel approaches to reduce any observed systematic errors
- Collaborate in the development of uncertainty budget for measurements made using these systems
- Present research findings at internal meetings, scientific conferences, and peer-reviewed journals.
Qualifications
- A master’s or PhD in engineering or physics or related field.
- A background in performing experimental work, data collection and analysis.
- Ability to control, operate and automate scientific test equipment and instrumentation.
- Familiarity with MATLAB or Python.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
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.