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Assistant Research Scientist (PREP0004318)

Johns Hopkins University
Gaithersburg, United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 8 Apr 2026

About the role

Description

PREP Research Associate

 

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:

Research Engineer, Autonomous MOF synthesis

 

The work will entail: 

The Materials Measurement Laboratory of the National Institute of Standards and Technology is seeking qualified persons (U.S. Citizens preferred) to develop methods and instrumentation for autonomous synthesis and development of metal organic frameworks (MOFs), with an emphasis on designing and building custom measurement systems and testbeds including FTIR and x-ray diffraction.

U.S. Citizen Preferred


Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

         Write code to automate synthesis and characterization tools

         Design, build and validate custom experimental setups

         Developing data pipelines

Qualifications

Required Skills, Expertise and Qualifications:

         Science or Engineering degree (B.S. or similar and higher)

         Experience in coding control and data management systems for automated experimental equipment

         with minimal supervision (e.g., Python, Arduino/Raspberry Pi)

         Experience designing and building equipment or devices (laboratory instrumentation preferred)

         Hands-on laboratory skills and troubleshooting mindset

         Mechanical design and rapid prototyping (CAD, machining, 3D printing)

         Instrumentation integration (sensors, cameras, data acquisition systems)

Other Desirable Qualifications

         Experience working with vacuum and gas systems preferred

         Mechanical design and rapid prototyping (CAD, machining, 3D printing)

         Basic electronics familiarity

         Familiarity with X-ray diffraction

         Familiarity with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)

         Knowledge of python scientific stack (NumPy, SciPy, pandas, scikit-learn, TensorFlow/PyTorch)

         Data pipeline development experience for large datasets

Application Instructions

Please upload the following with your application:

 

·         CV/Resume

*Please limit C.V to 3 pages only and ONLY include a valid email address for your contact info. Your resume will not be considered if the following information is included on your CV/resume.

·         Self portraits

·         Phone number

·         Home address/Country

·         Citizenship status

·         Languages spoken

·         Sex/Gender

·         Personal Interest

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 undergra

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Company

Johns Hopkins University

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