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 wish to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest and thus requires that such institutions be the recipients 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:
Development of Acoustic-Based Standards for Gas Flow Metrology
The work will entail:
The NIST Fluid Metrology Group (FMG) is seeking a motivated individual with a background in acoustics, or physics, or engineering to join our team. The FMG has a long history of providing high fidelity, low uncertainty measurements that are traceable to the SI units of flow. Measurements made by the FMG support commodity transfer, manufacturing, energy, and many other US industries by performing calibration of transfer standards. The group is currently working to develop new flow standards and measurement capabilities based on acoustics. As a member of our multi-disciplinary team, you will collaborate closely with experts in instrumentation, metrology, acoustics, physics, and engineering to develop and enhance flow measurement techniques and calibration systems. The team is developing a new flow metering technique based on long-wavelength acoustic time-of-flight as well as a density measurement technique based on characteristics of resonant spectra of acoustic resonators, and we seek a highly motivated individual to contribute to this work.
Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
- Contribute to the design, construction, and testing of a flowmeter based on long-wavelength acoustics.
- Collaborate in the development of theoretical models of acoustic dissipation in a resonant cavity.
- Implement advanced signal analysis techniques on acoustic signals in order to reduce uncertainty and improve speed while determining fluid properties.
- Conduct research to implement novel approaches for measuring fluid flow and determining gas density based on acoustics and advanced signal processing.
- Present research findings, technological developments, and calibration results at internal meetings, external stakeholder meetings, and scientific conferences.
Qualifications
- A Ph.D. in engineering or physics or related field.
- A background in conducting experimental research, particularly related to acoustics, fluid flow, signal analysis, or metrology, is important.
- Ability to control, operate and automate scientific test equipment and instrumentation.
- Familiarity with design and simulation tools like SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor, MuMax, OOMMFi COMSOL, or similar.
- Familiarity with the programming languages Python, MATLAB, or LabVIEW.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action 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.