PREP0004097 Temperature Metrology Senior Researcher

PREP Research Associate

Opportunity No.: PREP0004097

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 advances NIST's mission.

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Temperature Metrology Senior Researcher

Project Description:

The NIST Temperature and Humidity Group seeks a Senior Research Scientist with a doctorate in the physical sciences to lead advanced research and development in temperature metrology. This position is based in the NIST Standard Platinum Resistance Thermometer Calibration Laboratory (SPRTCL), the United States’ primary facility for the realization of the kelvin under the International Temperature Scale of 1990 (ITS-90), achieving the lowest temperature measurement uncertainties nationally.

The successful candidate will bring extensive professional experience in temperature metrology, including deep expertise in the development and analysis of temperature uncertainty budgets. Working with a high degree of scientific independence, the Senior Researcher will conduct original research aimed at advancing temperature realization, with a particular emphasis on the development of novel non-metal fixed points to support future temperature scales. The role also includes improving the measurement capabilities, performance, and scientific output of the SPRTCL.

This position requires scientific leadership in defining research directions, serving as primary author on peer-reviewed publications, and representing NIST research through invited presentations, tutorials, and workshops in temperature metrology. The Senior Research Scientist is expected to contribute to the broader metrology community through technical leadership, knowledge dissemination, and engagement in national and international collaborations.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Conduct and lead independent research in temperature metrology supporting the realization of the kelvin.
• Develop and maintain temperature uncertainty budgets for primary standards and calibrations.
• Design and implement novel non-metal fixed points to advance future temperature scales.
• Improve measurement capability and uncertainty performance of the SPRT Calibration Laboratory.
• Author and publish peer-reviewed scientific papers and technical reports.
• Lead technical tutorials, workshops, and invited presentations in temperature metrology.
• Provide scientific leadership and represent NIST in national and international collaborations.
• Mentor and guide technical staff, postdoctoral researchers, and visiting scientists as needed.

Desired Qualifications:

• U.S. citizenship may be required for this position.
• Ph.D. in physics, physical sciences, or a closely related field.
• Extensive professional experience in temperature metrology at a senior level.
• Demonstrated expertise in developing and evaluating temperature uncertainty budgets.
• In-depth knowledge of primary temperature realization using SPRTs and the International Temperature Scale of 1990 (ITS-90).
• Proven ability to conduct independent research and serve as primary author of peer-reviewed scientific publications.
• Demonstrated ability to provide scientific leadership in a research laboratory environment.
• Strong written and oral communication skills for technical documentation and presentations.

Other Details:

• Full-time: the participant is expected to work 40 hours a week
• Location: the participant will work at the NIST Gaithersburg Campus.
• Duration: this is expected to be a one-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. Dr. Maria E. Nadal (maria.nadal@nist.gov). For questions related to the online application or NIST PREP more generally, please contact msu-nistprep@morgan.edu.

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 the administrative functions of the PREP Program.

Routine Uses: NIST will use the information collected to perform the requisite reviews of the applications to determine eligibility, and to meet programmatic requirements. Disclosure of this information is also subject to all the published routine uses as identified in the Privacy Act System of Records Notices: NIST-1: NIST Associates.

Disclosure: Furnishing this information is voluntary. When you submit the form, you are indicating your voluntary consent for NIST to use the information you submit for the purpose stated.