PREP0003524 Acoustic Gas Flow Metrology Researcher

PREP Research Associate

Opportunity No.: PREP0003524

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (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, and 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.

APPLY ONLINE HERE

Acoustic Gas Flow Metrology Researcher

The NIST Fluid Metrology Group (FMG) is seeking a motivated individual with a background in acoustics, 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

Desired Qualifications: Minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities.

• A Ph.D. in engineering, physics, or a 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

Other Details:

• Full-time: the participant is expected to work 40 hours per week
• Location: Physically at the NIST Gaithersburg, MD campus
• Duration: This is a two-year position. Extensions are sometimes granted depending on the availability of funds.
• For questions related to the research project or the nature of the work in this position, please contact Dr. Keith A. Gillis (keith.gillis@nist.gov). For questions related to the online application or NIST PREP more generally, please contact msu-nistprep@morgan.edu.

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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 the administrative functions of the PREP Program.

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